Santa Ana, Calif. (March 20, 2018)—The Orange County Board of Supervisors has voted to award a total of $2.4 million to six programs that target state recycling and waste reduction mandates. The County’s Regional Recycling and Waste Reduction Program requires recipients to sustain their grant-funded projects for a minimum of five years and fully sustain them for the final two years.
The source of the grant funding is the County’s Self-Haul Surcharge, originally established in 2006 to encourage use of recycling facilities for construction waste. The Board of Supervisors required that surcharge funds be used exclusively for waste Reduction and public education. Since its inception OC cities and nonprofits have received $4.6 million in grants for waste reduction and recycling efforts.
Here is a list of 2018 grant recipients, their programs and grant amounts:
|
Grant Recipient |
Grant Programs |
Grant Amount | |
| City of Anaheim | Commercial food recovery and organics collection program |
$ 223,244 |
|
| Inside the Outdoors | Composting and food recovery educational outreach program |
$ 946,558 |
|
| Discovery Cube | Organics recycling and composting educational outreach program |
$ 988,285 |
|
| City of Irvine | Commercial food recovery and organics collection program |
$ 168,394 |
|
| Katella High School | School recycling and composting program |
$ 54,268 |
|
|
Costa Mesa Sanitary District |
Residential organics recycling program |
$ 30,000 |
|
|
Total: |
$2,410,749 |
Board Chairman Andrew Do, First District Supervisor, voiced his support of the Regional Recycling and Waste Reduction Grant Program. “These unique and innovative programs reflect the County of Orange’s commitment in promoting creativity and forward-thinking in how we reduce waste in our landfills, especially compostable waste,” said Chairman Do. “Organics recycling and waste diversion programs help to create a healthier and more sustainable environment for our community and ensures that we meet our new organics recycling goals.”
Inside the Outdoors will expand its award-winning program called Project Zero Waste to eventually reach nearly one million OC students, teachers and families with waste Reduction education. “Project Zero Waste is only one of Inside the Outdoors’ outstanding programs that introduce Orange County students to nature and sustainability. I am sure they will continue to make a difference with the proposed waste-reduction projects in local schools through this grant,” said Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District Supervisor.
Anaheim’s Katella High School will use the grant funds to expand its school-wide recycling program and reduce solid waste generated at the school by 70 percent. “I am proud to represent the only high school recipient of this grant in Orange County, Katella High. Their Recycle Club and sponsor, Leone Walsh, are setting an extraordinary standard for all of us. Their recycling and food composting initiative moves us closer to achieving long-term sustainability and compliance with state legislation,” said Supervisor Shawn Nelson. Earth Recycle Club hopes their efforts will support Katella’s goal of becoming a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School.
Two cities will receive grant funds to develop commercial organics recycling programs to meet state mandates. Anaheim, which includes a food-insecure population of 45,000, also received a grant that will help establish commercial edible-food recovery and source-reduction programs. Irvine seeks to bring businesses into regulatory compliance by targeting those that generate more than four cubic yards of organic waste per week.
Residents of the Second District who are served by the Costa Mesa Sanitary District will have an opportunity to participate in a new Citizens Environmental Protection Academy, which will provide recycling and Reduction education. “The Costa Mesa Sanitary District plays an important role in the County’s overall waste management system in addition to serving the Second District. This grant will help the district advance its mission to protect the community’s health and the environment by providing solid waste and wastewater collection services,” said Supervisor Michelle Steel.
Discovery Cube OC serves the entire County with its Eco Challenge Exhibit and associated programs. “Discovery Cube serves as waste Reduction education cornerstone in the County, and we can take pride in the positive impact it has in our communities,” said Chairman Do. The Discovery Cube’s grant will update the Eco Challenge curriculum and school-based educational programs to focus on new areas such as composting and organics management, along with interactive learning programs.
About OC Waste & Recycling
OCWR serves the County’s solid waste disposal needs by providing waste management services, operating public landfills, protecting the local environment, investing in renewable energy enterprises and promoting recycling in order to ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations. The department manages one of the nation's premier solid waste disposal systems, serving residents and businesses in the County’s 34 cities and unincorporated areas. OCWR’s three active landfills reflect environmental engineering at its best. Learn more by visiting the OCWR website at http://www.oclandfills.com/.