COLUMBUS, OH (February 5, 2024) – Ohio EPA Director Anne Vogel announced today five health departments and two solid waste management districts are receiving funds from the recently created Scrap Tire Education and Outreach Grant. The grants are open to health districts and solid waste management districts throughout the state.
The $100,000 will provide health districts and solid waste management districts with funding to implement a model for providing education and outreach to scrap tire-generating businesses. Applicants may request funding up to $20,000. Eligible grant proposals will be funded until the annual funding cap for the entire grant program is reached at $200,000.
“We’ve made great strides when it comes to battling the open dumping of scrap tires, but it’s still a major problem,” Ohio EPA Dir. Anne Vogel said. “We see it in our riverbeds, our streams, and on the side of the roads. This grant puts the necessary funding in the hands of health departments and solid waste management teams across the state to go out and educate businesses on best practices moving forward, to stop illegal dumping.”
There are an estimated 8,000 scrap tire-generating businesses in Ohio. They play an important role in the proper management of scrap tires. Open dumping remains a prevalent and widespread issue across the state due to improper management and scrap tire theft that occurs at scrap tire-generating businesses.
Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District was awarded $20,000 to implement the education and outreach program throughout its two counties to more than 70 businesses.
“We thank the Ohio EPA for selecting the Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District for this grant,” District Director, Jane Forrest Redfern, said. “We do our best to assist residents to do their part to recycle tires on our recycling days, but these funds will allow us to make sure our tire retailers know the proper way of scrap tire management by providing education and resources to them.”
Ohio EPA has also awarded funding to the following health districts and solid waste management districts:
Fairfield County Health Department was awarded $8,200 for outreach and education to approximately 50 businesses throughout the county.
Galion City Health Department was awarded $4,220 for outreach and education to approximately 10 businesses throughout the city.
Gallia County Health District was awarded $13,455 for outreach and education to approximately 90 businesses throughout the county.
Lawrence-Scioto Solid Waste Management District was awarded $20,000 for outreach and education to approximately 120 businesses throughout both counties.
Marion Public Health was awarded $13,087.50 for outreach and education to approximately 50 businesses throughout the county.
Youngstown City Health District was awarded $20,000 for outreach and education to approximately 90 businesses throughout the city.
