New recycling bins, much like this one pictured, will soon be owned and distributed by Jenkintown Borough, thanks to a recent DEP grant. (Image courtesy of Otto Environmental)
The borough was able to get 300 new bins at an affordable rate.
Residents of Jenkintown Borough are about to get new recycling bins, and they are coming in large part thanks to a grant.
Jenkintown Borough was notified by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that our 902-grant application has been chosen for award in the amount of $12,973.
Jenkintown Borough’s application requested funding for 300 lidded, wheeled, 35-gallon recycling toters. The Borough was responsible for the 10% grant match in the amount of $1,442, however a slight increase of $139 brought the borough’s grand total to $1,581.
The borough’s Environmental Advisory Committee conducted a community-wide survey and compiled a list of addresses that need another recycling toter. The survey revealed that some of the larger homes require more than one recycling toter. There were some that were damaged and need replaced and when new residents move into the Borough in most cases a recycling toter is requested by the new resident.
“We were happy to be awarded the grant,” said Borough Manager George Locke.
The quote obtained by the borough has garnered the borough a large savings over typical retail prices. The chosen manufacturer is called OTTO Environmental, which is out of Charlotte, N.C.
Thanks to a predetermined list of acceptable vendors issued by The Department of General Services’ Cooperative Purchasing Program (called “COSTARS”), the process does not require the often-tedious bidding and approval process.
“COSTARS enables the borough to fulfill procurement at a discount from vetted vendors who are members of this state program,” explained Locke.
Jenkintown Borough, mainly through the Environmental Action Committee, has continued to educate residents about the benefits of recycling and there has been increased interest from the community. The disbursement of the recycle toters will be conducted by the Public Works Department.
Recycling tonnage is tracked and utilized annually when preparing the PA DEP 902 grant application which is awarded through a formula based on total recycling tonnage collected within the Borough.
