News Release 388

DEPARTMENT AWARDS $95,000 TO
2008 SCRAP TIRE PLAYGROUND GRANT RECIPIENTS

Volume 36-388

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JUNE 30, 2008 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded 10 grants totaling $95,000 from the fiscal year 2008 Scrap Tire Playground Surfacing Material Grant cycle. 

These grants promote the use of recycled scrap tires for playground cover or surfacing material for running tracks, walking trails or other surfacing projects.

"The Scrap Tire Playground Surfacing Material grant projects support one of the Department of Natural Resources' goals to reduce the amount of waste disposed of in landfills and encourage the beneficial uses that are gained from recycling scrap tires," said Department of Natural Resources Director Doyle Childers.

              Award recipients include the following: 

Non-profit organizations including schools, day care centers and parks may apply for grant funds. The department has awarded almost $1.6 million to 279 organizations since the grants became available in 1994.

The source of funding for the grant program is a 5 percent portion of the 50-cent-per-tire fee collected during the sale of new tires in Missouri.  This fee also finances clean up of illegal scrap tire dumps and inspection and enforcement activities.  The 50-cent fee is currently set to expire on Jan. 1, 2010, unless it is renewed by the legislature.

For more information on the Scrap Tire Material Grants or the department's Solid Waste Management Program, call 573-751-5401 or 800-361-4827 or visit the Web at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp. 

For news releases on the web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel.  For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

###