OSS continues search for grant applicants

The Ottawa Sandusky Seneca Solid Waste District is urging local non-profits, educational institutions and government agencies to apply for the current round of competitive funding grants—the first round of competitive funding this year, with the second round following in June. All projects are limited to a $10,000 grant, and this does not include match funds. The District does not provide retroactive funding for any project that is in progress or already completed. Additionally, all products purchased through this grant must contain a minimum of 25% recycled content. Projects that can be funded include education programs, composting or yard waste management, recycling or waste reduction efforts, buying recycled products and more. The District has a committee to review the grants and make recommendations to the Board of Directors. The application for the first round of grants is currently open and due on Jan. 31 with the second round closing June 30. By law, the District cannot fund any privately owned business. Previous winners of this grant include Sandusky Township for a project to replace wooden picnic tables in eight shelter houses with two recycled plastic benches per shelter house; Village of Clay Center for replacing wood mulch at the Village Park play area with recycled rubber mulch; Bloomville Development Group for enhancing the appearance of the downtown district with benches, commercial flower pots and trash receptacles made from recycled content; the Village of Woodville for a project to install a pet waste station for the village park as well as a message center board, both made from recycled materials; the Seneca Conservation District for a project at the Proving Ground Farm to replace a pedestrian bridge on the hiking trail using recycled composite deck material as well as adding more trash and recycling receptacles made from recycled materials; Tiffin University for providing recycled content Adirondack chairs and gliders for student use in outdoor common areas—among many more winners. For more information on the Competitive Funding Grants, recycleoss.org/competitive-grant-funding.