COLUMBUS, OH -- The Auglaize County Solid Waste District has been awarded $50,000 to assist it in improving markets for post consumer recyclables, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The effort is aimed at improving demand for raw, recycled materials such as glass, plastics and paper that are intended for use in recycled-content products.

Awarded by the ODNR Division of Recycling & Litter Prevention, the funding is part of the division's Focus Grant Program which funds a different recycling, litter prevention or waste reduction activity each year. This year, the program emphasized improving recycling collection and processing systems for raw recycled materials.

"Enhancing markets for locally collected recyclables helps strengthen Ohio's recycling industry and collection programs," said Mike Canfield, chief of the Division of Recycling & Litter Prevention. "Recyclables collected at the curb or at drop-off locations create jobs and become the raw materials necessary to fuel Ohio's manufacturing industry."

The ODNR Division of Recycling & Litter Prevention works to promote recycling in Ohio and annually awards approximately $7.5 million in grants.