New Mexico offers scrap tire management grants

SANTA FE, N.M. (Feb. 1, 2016) — The New Mexico Environment Department is accepting applications for 2016-2017 Recycling and Illegal Dumping (RAID) Act grants for scrap tire management, abatement and recycling projects.

Municipalities, counties, solid waste authorities, cooperative associations, land grant communities, pueblos, tribes and nations are all eligible to apply for a share of $1 million in grant money, according to the agency. Other entities are ineligible, but can partner with eligible entities for grants, it said.

Two-thirds of the grant money is reserved for scrap tire management, while the rest is available for abatement and recycling, the agency said.

In-kind and cash matching funds increase the chances of obtaining a grant, although they are not necessary for eligibility, according to the agency.

Examples of projects New Mexico wants to fund are abatement of illegal dumpsites near bodies of water, tire amnesty days, educational outreach and projects that promote organics recycling.

The agency said it prefers to issue fewer grants funding large scrap tire projects, rather than a large number of smaller projects, according to a Jan. 26 press release, but applicants with smaller yet important projects should also apply.

April 1 is the deadline for applications, the agency said. For application forms, click here. For more information on the program, contact Neal Denton, Recycling Coordinator, at 505-827-2653 or via email at [email protected].