FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GRANT FUNDS AVAILABLE TO REDUCE WASTE AND INCREASE RECYCLING

IN CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA

Walnut Creek - Mini-grant Applications for calendar year 2002 are now available from the Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority (CCCSWA). The CCCSWA seeks innovative projects that increase individual and community involvement in waste prevention efforts, decrease the amount of waste sent to landfills, and encourage the development, marketing and use of recycled products in its service area. Mini-grant applicants typically request between $250 and $5,000 each. The CCCSWA has allocated a total of $50,000 in the calendar year 2002 for the Mini-grant Program. Applications are due Thursday, January 10, 2002.

The Mini-grant Program is designed to meet the needs of a wide variety of potential applicants who need access to a relatively small amount of money, for a one-year period, for a specific and limited purpose. The Mini-grant Program is open to all applicants -- private firms, non-profit organizations, schools, public agencies, individuals and others.

Executive Director, Janet Schneider said, “The purpose of these Mini-grants is to provide seed money for new, innovative projects that complement the Authority’s existing recycling programs and waste reduction objectives.”

The CCCSWA has awarded a total of 28 Mini-grants since 1999. These Mini-grant projects have increased school recycling, enlarged Construction and Demolition (C&D) debris recovery, and improved reuse in the CCCSWA’s member agencies (Walnut Creek, Danville, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Alamo, Blackhawk and Diablo).

Additional information and application forms are available at www.wastediversion.org or by calling (925) 906-1801.

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