Arkansas Administrative Code
Agency 223 - Southeast Arkansas Regional Solid Waste District
Rule 223.00.13-004 - Recycling Grants Rules and Regulations

Recycling Grants Rules and Regulations

As a result of Act 1333 of 2013, the SEARSWMD is responsible for the administration and distribution of the Solid Waste Management and Recycling Fund allocated to the district per the formula outlined in Act 1333. The intent of the district is to use recycling grant funds for the purpose of recycling and waste reduction activities as described herein. The Southeast Arkansas Regional Solid Waste Management Board shall distribute the funds allocated by ADEQ to the district through a grant program. The Board will distribute the funds to the counties included in the district on a pro rata system based on the population of the county and its percentage of the district's total population.

The Southeast Arkansas Regional Solid Waste Management District finds that recycling glass, plastic, cans, paper and other materials will reduce the state's reliance upon landfills. Additionally, other solid waste reduction activities will help reduce the state's dependence on landfills: using waste items as raw materials in a production process, using waste items to produce an end product without recycling, using waste items as fuel and/or other activities as approved by the Southeast Arkansas Regional Solid Waste Management Board. Solid waste reduction activities mean other activities that divert materials from landfills for reuse, including all of the above without limitation. Waste stream reduction activities also curb littering, illegal dumping and abate the environmental risks caused by current solid waste practices.

Projects eligible for grant assistance include, without limitation, costs for:

* solid waste management planning that integrates recycling;

* public information and education programs that encourage waste reduction and stimulate demand for products produced from recycled materials;

* waste transfer facilities and equipment that integrates recycling in their operation;

* recycling, recycling activities and waste reduction activities associated with illegal dump abatement programs;

* other waste stream reduction activities that divert the flow of materials away from landfills to be put to beneficial use;

* activities that support a recycling system including without limitation operation, construction, logistical systems and equipment; and

* Administrative costs for operation of the district recycling activities, not to exceed 25% of the district's total allocation.

The Board shall be responsible for the prioritization and selection of grant recipients from within the district boundaries.

Each grant recipient shall, until all grant funds are expended on a project, provide district staff with an annual report summarizing the activity of the project for that year. The annual report shall include the following:

* Progress in the project;

* An expense itemization for each grant award that lists each expenditure, the date, item purchased, price and name of vendor; and

* Equipment purchases shall also include copies of invoices, purchase orders, checks and other supporting documentation.

Supporting documentation for all other purchases should be kept on file by each grant recipient for a period of five years.

Each grantee shall provide Recycling Activity Surveys for a period of five years after a grant award to district staff due by August 1st of each year. The annual recycling activity survey shall include the following information: tonnage and type of materials collected and revenues produced from the sale of materials collected and total diversion savings calculated using total tons recycled multiplied by the local landfill tipping fee.

The District shall ensure public participation and notice prior to any grant award. The District shall publish a notice describing each grant request and solicit comments in a newspaper of general circulation prior to grant award. The notice shall be published one time but the comment period shall not be less than 30 days from the date of publication.