The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency awarded grants to help local governments strengthen local recycling and litter prevention efforts.

The North Central Ohio Solid Waste Management District, which includes Champaign County, is receiving $82,301.

The Logan County Solid Waste District is receiving $157,950.

The grants will expand curbside recycling programs, provide upgrades to infrastructure for material recovery facilities, and support litter prevention efforts. Law enforcement equipment, special venue recycling containers, and other recycling and litter prevention programs may be included in the grant.

The Community Recycling and Litter Prevention Grant provides financial assistance to communities based on operational need, the demonstration of positive economic and environmental impacts regionally or statewide and the potential for permanent service that does not need assistance from outside funding. Grant communities must commit to 50 percent local matching funds.