Alabama Department of Environmental Management awards $2.5 million in recycling grants

MONTGOMERY, Ala. ( WIAT ) — The Alabama Department of Environmental Management announced it is awarding cities, counties and organizations across the state $2.5 million in grants from the Alabama Recycling Fund.

The grants are for the 2025 fiscal year. Grant recipients were announced Monday, the first day of the Alabama Recycling Coalition’s Annual Conference and Expo. The coalition, which is a statewide nonprofit organization, is one of the grant recipients. The ADEM awarded it $164,500.

In addition to the Alabama Recycling Coalition, the following agencies are also receiving grants:

• City of Birmingham: $438,105
• Baldwin County: $419,977
• City of Irondale: $300,476
• Shoals Solid Waste Authority: $158,593
• City of Gulf Shores: $148,135
• City of Guntersville: $137,779
• Mobile County Commission: $126,872
• City of Alexander City: $104,110
• City of Troy: $104,070
• City of Florence: $95,797
• Calhoun County Commission: $93,410
• West Alabama Recycling Partnership (City of Tuscaloosa, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa County Parks and Recreation Authority and Shelton State Community College): $72,683
• City of Gadsden: $67,323
• City of Southside: $52,578
• City of Northport: $47,780
• City of Fort Payne: $43,329
• Lawrence County Solid Waste: $5,582

“These grants will have a tremendous impact on recycling in Alabama,” said ADEM Director Lance LeFleur in a statement. “ADEM has emphasized working with our local communities, including those with less means, to develop a robust recycling infrastructure. This will increase the reuse of discarded materials, decrease the amount of waste entering our landfills, and contribute to a more sustainable future.”

The grants are made possible by the Solid Wastes and Recyclable Materials Management Act, which was passed by the Alabama Legislature in 2008. The law imposes a $1-per-ton fee on all solid wastes that are disposed of in state landfills. A quarter of these proceeds go toward the Alabama Recycling Fund.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.