ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Jefferson Belmont Regional Solid Waste Authority, better known as JB Green Team, announced the availability of grant funds through its 2021 Recycling Initiatives Competitive Funding project.

The JB Green Team RICF grants are designed to assist projects that further the joint county solid waste authority mission of reducing waste and increasing recycling. In previous years communities, schools and nonprofit organizations were recipients of grant dollars that helped them purchase recycling or trash receptacles, park benches and picnic tables made from recycled materials, paper leaf collection bags, litter cleanup project supplies, Green Team Green Books, composting equipment, classroom recycle bins and many more items to improve their communities.

The JBRSWA 15 members of the Board of Trustees from both Jefferson and Belmont counties are pleased to be able to fund projects that benefit the environment of our communities.

Our partnership with the communities is very important to us.

Eligible applicants located in Jefferson and Belmont Counties include: townships; villages; cities; schools and non-profit agencies. Applicants cannot possess a liquor license and must demonstrate a benefit to the citizens of Belmont and Jefferson counties.

Two types of grants, the Community Award and the Comprehensive Grant are available.

The Community Award requires no match. The maximum that can be applied for under the Community Award is $1,000. Projects must contain a recycling component or theme.

Schools, government offices and nonprofits may seek funds to: implement recycling at sporting events; purchase recycling bins and create awareness posters; begin a reuse store or program so that unwanted items are not discarded; or buy supplies to perform community litter cleanups and recycling activities.

The Comprehensive Grant projects must include a recycling or reuse initiative.

Eligible applicants may apply for funding between $1,001.00 and $5,000.00 and must supply a 20% match, which may include in-kind services such as: labor, donated equipment, materials, and activities directly related to the project.

Applicants must do a thorough justification of requested funding and relate the project directly to recycling.

Procurement and application of recycled content items must have a significant recycling component as part of the project in order to qualify for funding.

Applicants must commit to completing the final report and supplying recycling and or reuse data, receipts, before and after photos with permanent JBGT signage.

Eligible applicants may seek Comprehensive RICF funds for: community cleanup projects that include a recycling component; implement or expand recycling programs; implement or expand reuse initiatives; implement or expand composting initiatives; implement a recycling and waste reduction awareness campaign or purchase items made from recycled material.

Applications are available on our website at jbgreenteam.org/grants or by calling the JB Green Team offices at 740-266-6899 or 740-296-5376.

Applicants may also request an application by emailing nlysle@jbgreenteam.org .

Applications must be received by noon April 1, 2021, by email to apetrella@jbgreenteam.org & nlysle@jbgreenteam.org or at one of the two office locations.

The JB Green Team Grants Committee will review applications and make formal award recommendations to the Board of Trustees on the April 12, 2021, board meeting.

The board reserves the right to deny an application for any reason.

Notification of the awards and participation contracts will follow within a week of the board meeting.

Thus, when drafting an application, applicants should consider beginning their projects no sooner than April 12, 2021.