Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary James M. Seif announced last week more than $7.5 million in grants will be distributed for recycling projects in 57 counties, including Centre County.

The grants, awarded through the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, will support 153 programs, according to a press release.

To assess its local program before receiving the grant, the Centre Region Council of Governments issued a survey about refuse and recycling satisfaction in the area, said Cathy Prosek, COG administrative aide.

On a scale of one to five, an average rating of 4.4 was returned, which Prosek said shows a high level of satisfaction.

"Residents are satisfied, actually more than satisfied, with the program," she said.

Suggestions about services for used motor oil, antifreeze, paint, household chemicals and other hazardous waste were returned on the surveys. Respondents also asked for recycling of yard waste and additional materials such as margarine tubs and cereal boxes. Some of the suggestions will be considered when distributing the money.

Pennsylvania leads the nation in recycling efforts with more than 1,300 community-based recycling programs, which serve 9 million residents, according to the release.

"These grants represent the Ridge administration's ongoing commitment to recycling and the development of appropriate municipal waste plans, as well as public education programs that are essential to raising awareness about the importance of recycling," Seif said in the release.

"These grants will benefit communities in every region of the state."

Three grants will fund programs in Centre County. Bellefonte will receive $174,737 and Millheim will receive $19,795 for a yard-waste composting program. The county will receive $252,133 for its recycling center.

The attitude toward the refuse and recycling program in the Centre region is favorable, but area children must continue to lead the way and set a good example, said Joanne Shafer, recycling coordinator of the Centre County Solid Waste Authority.

Adults learn from the 3,000 school children who tour the recycling center each year, she said.

Shafer said the county will spend the money to fund public education for recycling and purchase recycling equipment and a hay bailer to be used for the animal bedding program.