Recycling programs in 75 cities and towns will get a boost this Earth Day with the addition of new recycling bins, including four communities in Pennsylvania.

The National Recycling Coalition and The Coca-Cola Company this week announced the recipients of their Spring 2008 Recycling Bin Grant program. Chosen from 1,100 applications submitted, the 75 grant recipients represent a cross section of community groups, local governments, colleges and non profit organizations across the country.

In Pennsylvania, the Town of Bloomsburg, Bloomsburg, Delaware Valley College, Doylestown, Spotlight Performing Arts Academy, Pittsburgh and the Centre County Solid Waste Authority, Bellefonte all received bin grants.

A new round of applications will be accepted for the Fall 2008 grant application period, which will begin on September 22 and extend through October 24.

Grants were awarded to a diverse selection of applicants from 40 states and the District of Columbia, including 23 colleges and universities, 21 municipalities and other local government entities, 5 K-12 schools, 10 non-profit organizations and additional community groups and Native American tribes.

Recipients were chosen by NRC based on a number of criteria, including where bins are likely to have the most impact on recovering beverage containers from the waste stream, ability of recipients to sustain their program in the future, and intention to support collection programs with recycling education and promotion.

"The Bin Grant program is designed to help communities and organizations jump-start or expand their recycling programs and to further promote recycling of used bottles and cans," said Scott Vitters, director of sustainable packaging, The Coca-Cola Company. "Bottles and cans are valuable recyclables and can be reused to make new products as well as new bottles and cans. By making more recycling bins available, we hope to encourage people make recycling a habit in their daily lives."

"The response to this grant program has been phenomenal. The extent and diversity of applications solidly demonstrates how citizens across the nation are addressing recycling on a community level," said Kate Krebs, executive director of the National Recycling Coalition. "It's a privilege for NRC to partner with Coca-Cola to provide recycling collection bins that will build, expand and strengthen recycling programs at school, work and play."

The Bin Grant Program provides recycling bins directly to recipients and leverages the purchasing power and expertise of the NRC. Grants are offered twice a year in the fall and spring through an online application process.

A full list of the Spring 2008 Bin Grant recipients is available online as well as application materials for the Fall grant period.

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