SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded a grant of $1.8 million to the City of Lexington towards expansion of its existing recycling program. The expanded program will add yogurt containers, butter tubs and other similar plastics to the list of acceptable items.
According to City press release, the equipment upgrades to facilitate the proposed expansion is expected to be completed only in 2026. Until then, residents are requested to continue placing these items in trash. The Lexington’s Recycle Center currently accepts #1 and #2 plastic bottles, jars and jugs.
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The City plans to purchase new equipment, which will be capable of recycling polypropylene, which enjoys a solid market. In addition, it will fund an equipment which will ensure better sorting of plastic bottles, jugs and jars. The enhanced sorting will deliver significant economic gains.
Also, it will be used to fund purchase of a duel eject optical sorter, a robotic arm, conveyors, and a compressor. In short, the grant funding offers significant boost to Central Kentucky recycling.
The grant is part of the $2.4M awarded towards expansion and modernization of recycling infrastructure and waste management systems across the state of Kentucky.