Gov. Beshear announces $9 million in grants for projects to expand recycling efforts in Kentucky

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Kentucky communities are getting millions of dollars to recycle.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced $9 million worth of grants on Monday for projects to expand recycling efforts in the state, reduce the amount of solid waste going into landfills, and improve the handling of household hazardous waste.

Cities and counties across the state are getting a chunk of the money, which Beshear said will fund 73 projects.

The funding will be used to purchase new recycling equipment and equipment to manage food and lawn waste.

"Kentucky is fortunate that so many municipalities are stepping up to reuse and recycle to reduce the amount of solid waste piling up in our landfills," Beshear said in a news release. "This shows care for the environment and for each other."

The funding will be divided into three types of grants. Beshear said there are 29 recycling grants worth $4.6 million. Those grants will be given to counties to buy recycling equipment "with the goal of promoting sustainable regional recycling infrastructure."

There are 15 composting grants worth $15.4 million to be put toward purchasing equipment to improve composting. Beshear said the funding will also "promote creative solutions for managing food waste, lawn waste and other organic material."

Lastly, there are 29 household hazardous waste grants worth $1 million. The funding will allow counties to hold annual drop-off events for people to dispose of household chemicals, old electronics and other hazardous wastes and materials.