Austin, Texas –Blanco County and the city of Johnson City will both receive solid waste grants totaling $31,888 through the Capital Area Council of Governments Solid Waste Program.

The City of Johnson City will use it $27,388 grant for the purchase of a truck and recycling trailer while Blanco County will use its $4,500 grant for equipment used for the handling of bulky materials and scrap.

CAPCOG’s Solid Waste Program recently approved over $400,000 in grant funds from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to sixteen (16) Capital Area communities in support of solid waste management, recycling, and clean-up efforts. In July, the CAPCOG Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) scored and recommended 21 grant applications to the CAPCOG Executive Committee for funding.

Those 21 projects were approved by the CAPCOG Executive Committee during the August Executive Board meeting.

This year’s awardees include Burnet, Fayette, Travis and Caldwell Counties and cities of Austin, San Marcos(2), Bertram, Burnet, La Grange, Cedar Park(3), Granite Shoals, Hutto(2), Martindale, and Georgetown. CAPCOG was also awarded a grant to fund the Regional Environmental Task Force Operations Coordinator who provides environmental law training to combat environmental crimes.

Project applications were sought from eligible cities, counties, school districts, and special districts with solid waste responsibilities.

Funds for these projects are generated by solid waste disposal fees collected by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

They are the only state funds available for solid waste projects to local governments. The solid waste funds are intended for local and cooperative activities consistent with the strategic objectives of CAPCOG’s Regional Solid Waste Management Plan.

CAPCOG is the state designated planning agency for solid waste management issues in the region.

CAPCOG provides technical assistance to local governments on solid waste issues, as well as continuing education opportunities for local governments and solid waste professionals.