(415 ILCS 15/8) (from Ch. 85, par. 5958)
    Sec. 8. (a) Any municipality or combination of municipalities that has a total population of 20,000 or more may apply to the Department for assistance grants to operate a pilot recycling project that demonstrates the economic feasibility and environmental benefits of a recycling method. Population shall be determined by the most recent federal decennial census.
    The pilot recycling project shall include, at a minimum, the following elements:
    (1) A curbside program requiring the occupants of at least 3,000 single family residences to separate at least 3 materials deemed appropriate by the municipality from other solid waste generated at their residences, and to store such material until collection; the 3 materials shall be chosen from the following: glass, aluminum, steel and bimetallic cans, newsprint, corrugated paper, used motor oil, plastics.
    (2) A scheduled day, at least twice per month, during which separated materials are to be placed at the curbside or a similar location for collection.
    (3) A system including trucks and related equipment for collecting recyclable materials from the curbside or similar locations at least twice per month from each participating residence.
    (4) A drop-off or buy-back center for the collection and sale or reuse of recyclable materials, including but not limited to glass, aluminum cans and newsprint.
    (5) Provisions for recycling of collected materials.
    (6) Provisions for public education and compliance.
    (b) The Department shall establish guidelines for solicitation of grants under this Section. Applications for assistance shall be filed with the Department on forms provided by the Department and shall set forth such information as may be required by the Department. The Department shall evaluate the application and notify the applicant of the qualification or non-qualification of the application within 45 days of the deadline established by the Department for receipt of applications.
    (c) In implementing this Section, the Department shall, pursuant to appropriation, make grants from the Solid Waste Management Fund to municipalities with approved pilot recycling projects. Such grants shall be limited to 50% of the project costs, not to exceed a total of $50,000 per project.
    (d) No more than 25 pilot recycling project grants may be made pursuant to this Section.
(Source: P.A. 86-256.)