(Rockville Centre, NY) -- Today, Senator Todd Kaminsky, Chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation, announced that the City of Long Beach was awarded a grant of up to $40,780 from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Municipal Waste Reduction and Recycling Program. The City of Long Beach will utilize the grant to educate the public about proper recycling practices. 

“Public education and outreach are essential tools to increase recycling,” says Senator Todd Kaminsky, Chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee. “This grant will be instrumental in assisting Long Beach’s efforts to improve its recycling practices, while increasing participation throughout the City.” 

“This grant will prove vital as the City begins transitioning to dual-stream recycling later this year,” said Long Beach City Manager Donna M. Gayden. “We are hoping to not just increase recycling rates, but to assist our residents in becoming more environmentally-conscious consumers at the point of purchase so less waste enters the stream in the first place. We are thankful to the DEC and for Senator Kaminsky’s leadership on the important environmental issues facing our barrier island and throughout the State.”

Long Beach, like many municipalities, has been forced to find ways to handle a recycling load that is often significantly contaminated with improper waste. This grant will assist Long Beach’s efforts to reduce contamination rates in its local recycling program, while increasing overall participation. Potential education projects the City is considering include mailers to all residents outlining proper recycling practices, increased signage to promote proper recycling in public areas, and the designation of a Recycling Coordinator within the City. 

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