Three C.O. waste-reduction programs receive DEQ grants

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Materials Management program announced Wednesday it has awarded more than $600,000 in grant funding to 19 local governments and non-profit organizations.

The funding covers local government materials management planning efforts and projects that promote the prevention, recovery or reuse of solid wastes. Funding was made possible through fee increases approved by the state Legislature in 2015.

This amount includes $100,000 made available by Metro for projects that will substantially increase the rescue of edible food generated in the Portland metropolitan region to feed people who are food insecure.

For the first time, DEQ prioritized projects preventing the wasting of food and received many strong applications. Ten of this year’s accepted projects either prevent wasted food or support food rescue efforts. In addition to food-related projects, the projects benefit Oregon’s environment, create jobs and support low income families. Examples of projects awarded funding include:

— Projects preventing the wasting of food in Corvallis, Bend, Multnomah County and Oregon State University.
— Projects supporting food recovery and the redistribution of food to food insecure populations in Multnomah, Clackamas, Deschutes and Marion Counties.
— Food waste prevention, education and composting programs in Lincoln County schools.
— Planning to evaluate expanded recycling, reuse and repair services in Tillamook County.
— Projects supporting Habitat for Humanity building materials reuse and recycling programs in Sisters and Rogue Valley.
— Projects facilitating repair and reuse in Multnomah and Lane Counties.
— Project to purchase a trailer to facilitate recycling in Shaniko and recycling roll carts in Estacada.
— Start-up costs to convert unrecyclable mattresses into premium dog beds in Klamath Falls.

Central Oregon recipients:

Food Too Good To Waste in Central Oregon
Grantee: Central Oregon Environmental Center
Amount: $37,253
Central Oregon Environmental Center will implement a “Food Too Good To Waste” project seeking a measurable reduction in wasted food at the household level.

Edible Food Recovery
Grantee: NeighborImpact
Amount: $50,000
NeighborImpact will use funding to support its edible food rescue program, diverting 50,000 tons of food from landfills and feeding 22,000 people monthly.

Sisters Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Grantee: Sisters Habitat for Humanity
Amount: $42,871
Sisters Habitat for Humanity will purchase a box truck and equipment to increase collection of donations at its ReStore and Thrift Store, which last year diverted 960,000 pounds of material from landfills.

DEQ seeks to complete agreements with those offered grants by June 30, 2018. A summary description of the projects awarded funding can be found at:
http://www.oregon.gov/deq/mm/Pages/Grants.aspx