Maine gets USDA grants to cut waste

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded more than $100,000 in grants to two regional planning and development agencies in Maine, U.S. Rep. John Baldacci announced Friday.

Under the solid waste management grant program, the department awarded $88,040 to the Eastern Maine Development Corp. of Bangor and $43,130 to the Hancock County Planning Commission.

Eastern Maine Development Corp. will use the money to help rural communities in six central and eastern Maine counties reduce their solid waste stream and improve landfill operator skills. The Hancock County Planning Commission will use the money to assist 39 municipalities address issues related to the disposal of construction and demolition debris, as well as carry out recycling and composting activities.

The grant program provides funding to private, nonprofit associations that offer technical assistance to rural communities and small towns to reduce or eliminate solid waste and other pollutants. The assistance includes technical advice on planning, improving and managing solid waste facilities.