Grants to help with recycling, hazardous waste disposal in New Hampshire

Two New Hampshire organizations have been awarded grants totaling $300,500 to help 78 communities plan, implement and improve their community waste management practices.

The USDA grants are going to the North Country Council to improve recycling in 51 communities and to the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission to direct a solid waste management program in 27 communities.

"These two organizations will use these funds to reduce the amount of hazardous waste that reaches our landfills," said USDA Rural Development State Director Ted Brady. "Spreading solid waste management best practices not only helps reduce waste, but also prevents hazardous waste from impacting the rural communities that often host landfills."

The North Country grant will increase awareness of household hazardous waste, electronic waste, tire and unwanted machine disposal. Funds will also finance a study of current waste management practices in order to identify alternatives that increase recycling volume in both household and corporate environments.

The Sunapee grant will focus on reducing improper hazardous waste and medicine disposal; reducing hazardous materials in schools and art studios through education; and increasing access, safety and efficiency practices of current waste transfer stations.