A state grant will allow Lawrence County to update its solid waste management plan. The $72,675 Municipal Waste Planning Grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection was announced by state Rep. Marla Brown (R-Lawrence). Jerry Zona, director of the Lawrence-Mercer Recycling Solid/Waste Department, said the plan details how the county handles garbage and recycling. Zona said the Solid Waste Management Plan, first implemented in 1992, is required to be updated every 10 years by the state. The bulk of the grant will be used to fund a professional consultant to gather data and help put the plan together.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a two-year process,鈥� Zona said. Zona said the department is looking to put together a county solid waste advisory committee of municipal and county leaders and representatives from different waste and recycling companies. 鈥淲e just started that,鈥� Zona said. Brown said the grant is a prime example of how to leverage state resources to benefit the local community. 鈥淭he updated solid waste management plan will help us address the evolving needs of our community, promote sustainability and protect our environment for future generations,鈥� Brown said.
Zona said in the future, the department will inquire if regular glass recycling can be implemented again. This year, the department has hosted glass recycling weeks that can be used by both Lawrence and Mercer county residents.