LOWER MERION RECYCLES

 HARRISBURG, SEPT. 20 – State Sen. Connie Williams announced that Lower Merion Township had received a state grant of nearly $500,000 because residents and businesses pitched in to recycle.

 “While the state grant is certainly an incentive to increase recycling efforts, it is the recycling efforts themselves that are truly making a difference in the environment and ensuring a healthy environment in the future,” Williams said.

 The township received a $489,054 grant based on tons recycled in 2003. Last year, the township received a $358,023 grant for tons recycled in 2002.

 “This increase in grant amount is a testament to the township’s efforts to increase its recycling levels,” Williams said. “And recycling levels only increase when people are willing to really pitch in and make a difference.”

 The grant, awarded by the Department of Environmental Protection, provides incentives to communities to increase the amount of material recovered through recycling. The grant was awarded in addition to the funds that DEP allocates to municipalities to establish and maintain recycling programs.