Dive summary:

• The Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner and the Governor of Tennessee have awarded a recycling grant totaling approximately $1.7 million for recycling efforts in the state.
• The money will fund 18 projects within the state aimed to reduce landfill waste and increase recycling efforts including buying new equipment, improving or expanding current operations and preparing recyclable material for transport and marketing.
• The grand money comes from a state surcharge on each ton of solid waste disposed in landfill and a fee on new tires sold in the state.

From the article:

Recycling equipment grants may be used to purchase equipment for new recycling programs, improve and expand the operation of an existing site or prepare recyclable materials for transport and marketing. Grants may be awarded to counties, cities, non-profit recycling organizations and solid waste authorities to help reach or exceed the goals set forth in the Solid Waste Management Act of 1991. Each recipient is required to match the state grant on a sliding scale basis. Local matching funds toward these 12 projects total more than $226,000. ...