Grants Boost Recycling, Job Creation Plans
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana Department of Environmental Management has awarded a total of $600,000 to four companies to expand recycling efforts. The grants to the Marion and Blackford county businesses are expected to boost plans to create nearly three dozen jobs. December 11, 2014
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (December 9, 2014) – Four Indiana companies have been approved for grant funding totaling $600,000 from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) Recycling Market Development Program for equipment to expand recycling. The companies will commit nearly $2.9 million to their operations that will benefit the environment and result in the creation of 35 new jobs.
Recycling involves finding uses for existing materials and developing consumer markets for recycled-content. Grants awarded through this program help fund operations that reduce waste streams and expand the use of recycled-content material in the manufacturing process. Following are the recipients (in alphabetical order) and project summaries.
-GreenCycle of Indiana in Marion County: $150,000 towards the purchase of an electrically-operated tub grinder to expand its mulch and composting operation, enabling it to increase product sales and meet market demand. The electric grinder is capable of grinding between 100 to 150 tons per hour and will increase processing capacity by 140,000 tons per year without increasing fuel consumption. The company plans to hire two new employees.
-Petoskey Plastics Inc. in Blackford County: $175,000 towards the purchase of equipment to expand its sorting operation and enable the removal of contaminants in bales of stretch film feedstock and increase plant output. Petoskey Plastics estimates it will be able to process an additional 7,921 tons per year of commingled and contaminated plastic scrap. The company plans to hire 16 new employees.
-Reflective Industries LLC, in Blackford County: $150,000 towards the purchase of an electronic energy-efficient dryer with an industrial vacuum. The company processes waste glass from the food and beverage industry as well as the automotive industry. Operations involve collecting, sorting, crushing, and sizing. The new equipment will allow contamination to be removed from the smallest glass particles to meet customer specifications for moisture and dust. This crushed glass is used in new glass products and an ingredient in the production of fiberglass. Reflective Industries estimates that 16,000 tons of glass, 500 tons of paper and 700 tons of steel can be recycled as a result of the project instead of being sent to a landfill. The company plans to hire four new employees.
-Technology Recyclers in Marion County: $125,000 towards the purchase of equipment, including a shredder, feeder, pit conveyor and baler. Through the company's education efforts during the past three years, it has established itself as a recycler for 282 companies that were previously landfilling their e-waste. Technology Recyclers estimates that 5,570 tons of e-waste scraps, including aluminum, plastic, steel, and circuit boards, are being diverted from the waste stream. The new equipment system will enable the e-waste recycler to more precisely sort material and process much larger items. The company plans to hire 13 new employees.
The Recycling Market Development Program is administered by IDEM and operates under the Recycling Market Development Board as established by IC 4-23-5.5. The monies for the grants come from the Recycling Promotion and Assistance Fund, an account generated by a per-ton fee on solid waste disposed at Indiana landfills. Grants recipients must provide a 50 percent match.
The application deadline for the 2014 grants program was August 1. Approved projects were announced at the November 5 meeting of the Recycling Market Development Board. Additional information about the Recycling Market Development Program is available on IDEM's Recycle Indiana website at www.recycle.IN.gov.
About IDEM
IDEM (www.idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment.
Source: The Indiana Department of Environmental Management
December 9, 2014
News Release
PETOSKEY, Mich. – The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) Recycling Market Development Program has awarded Petoskey Plastics a $175,000 grant for equipment to expand recycling at its 300,000 square foot facility in Hartford City, Indiana.
The grant funds will be applied to the purchase of an additional sorting operation for Petoskey’s current processes. This will allow the company to remove contaminants in bales of stretch film feedstock and help increase plant output from existing operations. Petoskey Plastics estimates that the new equipment will allow it to process 7,921 tons per year of commingled and contaminated plastic scrap. The company plans to hire approximately 16 new employees at the Hartford City facility.
“The Recycling Market Development Program funding improves efficiency in manufacturing, reduces wastes, and contributes to the sustainability of Indiana businesses,” said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. “IDEM is pleased to aid Indiana businesses like Petoskey Plastics in their recycling efforts.”
“The State of Indiana has been a vital partner in the development of our Hartford City facility, and we greatly appreciate the support from IDEM as we continue to grow our recycling operations,” said Petoskey Plastics CEO Paul Keiswetter.
About Petoskey Plastics
Petoskey Plastics is an environmentally focused recycler and plastic film, bag and resin manufacturer providing superior products and solutions. Headquartered in Petoskey, Michigan, the company provides products and engineered solutions for a variety of industries including automotive, industrial, institutional, retail, construction and home improvement. Petoskey Plastics has facilities in Michigan, Indiana and Tennessee. Learn more at PetoskeyPlastics.com.
Source: Petoskey Plastics