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Grants available for local projects to reduce food waste

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is offering grants for projects designed to prevent food waste.

  It's part of an initiative Gov. Rick Snyder announced in 2014 to double the state's residential recycling rate. Wasted food accounts for more than 20 percent of household trash - more than any other material.

  The DEQ says $250,000 will be distributed. Individual grants could be as much as $100,000, but recipients must match at least 25 percent of the amount they get from the state.

  Nonprofit organizations, local health departments, municipalities, local and tribal governments and regional planning agencies can apply. The deadline is Feb. 29.

  Officials say they encourage applicants to develop sustainable projects that can be replicated elsewhere.

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting.