Will County receives $51,533 grant to expand recycling efforts
One of seven to receive funds from Governor’s Opportunity Returns program
JOLIET - Several Will County government buildings have new recycling containers available thanks to a recent state grant.
Will County received $51,533, one of seven grants totaling $410,000 given to entities in Northeastern Illinois. Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich announced the grants as part of his continued efforts to promote environmentally friendly ways to expand the Illinois economy. The funds come from the Illinois Recycling Grant Program and are expected to enhance programs in Will, Grundy, Kankakee and Kendall counties, increase recycling opportunities and create 11 new jobs.
The recycling grants are administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and come as a part of Opportunity Returns, Gov. Blagojevich’s pro-active, regional economic development strategy designed to create even more jobs and spur continued growth across the region.
In Will County, the grant is overseen by the Waste Services division of the Will County Land Use Department. Already, disposal containers divided into three sections, one each for trash, beverage containers and paper, are located outside of the County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago St., Will County Courthouse, 14 W. Jefferson St., Will County Health Department, 501 Ella Ave., and the Executive Center at 58 E. Clinton, which houses the Land Use Department and the Recorder of Deeds office. Several of these containers will serve pedestrians within Joliet as they are located adjacent to sidewalks in the City.
The grant will also cover a baler for the Adult Detention Facility to improve recycling and generate revenue from cardboard generated from supplies to the building. Plans also include more than 500 additional desk side, copier and break-room collection containers placed throughout all the County Buildings. The effort is expected to keep an additional 1,792 tons of recyclable materials out of the local landfill annually.
“I am grateful that Will County is one of the recipients for this generous state grant and know it will assist in the expansion of our already successful county office recycling program,” said Will County Executive Larry Walsh, who oversees the Land Use Department. “Our recycling experts in Land Use have made great strides in their efforts for a better environment, and through this funding the new disposal containers will help lessen the impact on our landfills and conserve resources as well.”
Marta Keane, the County’s recycling program specialist, agreed. "We are constantly looking for ways to protect our environment. We are thrilled to receive this grant."
"Building our economy in a way that helps our environment can be accomplished by expanding the recycling industry throughout the region. Gov. Blagojevich and I will continue to support these efforts that are cleaning our communities and expanding our economy," said State Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Plainfield).
"Recycling should be something every person and business in Illinois does every day. Through this grant program, Gov. Blagojevich and I are supporting important efforts to divert more recyclable products from our landfills, which is also helping to enhance the regional economy," said State Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi (D-Crest Hill).
"I appreciate the Governor’s efforts in helping to secure this new funding, which should be a boost to the Joliet region," State Rep. Jack McGuire (D-Joliet) said. "I am hopeful that this program will stimulate our economy by creating more jobs and provide a way to reduce the production of waste throughout Illinois."
For additional information about programs by the Will County Land Use Department, call (815) 727-8834 or go to www.willcountylanduse.com.
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Tammy Reiher
Public Information Officer
Office of Will County Executive Larry Walsh
302 N. Chicago St.
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 774-7485
(815) 790-0683 (cell)
Fax (815) 774-3671
