Local Community Organizations Receive Grants to Prevent Pollution

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The New York State Pollution Prevention Institute housed at Rochester Institute of Technology has announced the 2011 recipients of its Community Grants Program.

The New York State Pollution Prevention Institute housed at Rochester Institute of Technology has announced the 2011 recipients of its Community Grants Program. The effort provides monetary assistance to communities to advance the development and implementation of programs and initiatives in pollution prevention.

The grants, ranging from $5,000 to $12,000, will be used to promote education and awareness and to enhance research in clean technology development and environmental health and safety practices.

Two Rochester-area agencies received awards through the program. The Rochester Child Care Council will use the funds to further advance its Eco-Healthy Kids Program. The initiative seeks to promote actions families can take to increase health and safety in the home.

The Monroe County Department of Environmental Services will use the funds to launch Pollution Prevention Education for municipal employees. The training effort is designed to assist municipal staff in better incorporating pollution prevention techniques in their operations while also providing information on new state and federal regulation related to waste collection.

“The Pollution Prevention Institute is dedicated to supporting local communities in preventing pollution and increasing awareness surrounding water quality, energy conservation and toxics reduction,” says institute director Anahita Williamson. “We are pleased to provide funding in support of a series of local initiatives throughout the state that are designed to make our communities better places to live and work.”

The New York State Pollution Prevention Institute provides statewide, comprehensive and integrated programs in technology research, development and diffusion, outreach and training and education aimed at making New York more sustainable for workers, the public, the environment and the economy.

The institute was created in 2008 through a grant from the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Additional institute partners include Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Clarkson University, State University of New York at Buffalo and New York’s 10 Regional Technology Development Centers.

For more information, go to the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute webpage.