Rep. McNally Announces $3,714 for Islamic Academy of Youngstown

COLUMBUS- State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today announced the awarding of $3,714 in state funds from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the Islamic Academy of Youngstown to replace water fountains with water filling stations as part of the state’s Recycling and Litter Prevention grant program.

“Reducing single-use plastics, like water bottles, is a great way to be both environmentally and financially conscious. I’m very happy to see schools in our area making these changes, and teaching young people the values of saving our planet and saving money,” said Rep. McNally.

The program made approximately $450,000 available to public and private K-12 schools statewide to promote the “Three Rs” – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The money helps cover the cost of equipment to install or retrofit water fountains with water bottle filling stations in more than 100 school buildings in 41 counties throughout the state.

“Recycling comes much more naturally to people when you make it easy and convenient,” said Rep. McNally. “I hope more schools in Ohio’s 59th district will take advantage of this funding opportunity from the state.”

Starting on Nov. 6, 2023, and through Feb. 2, 2024, schools can apply for the 2024 Recycling & Litter Prevention Grants. The Ohio EPA will host an informational webinar for local governments, schools, businesses and nonprofit organizations on November 8, 2023 at 10a.m.to explain the competitive grant application process and how to establish and implement recycling & litter prevention programs, recycling market development for manufacturers, expansion of recycling equipment and processing facilities and recycling infrastructure improvements.