The Iowa Grocery Industry Association is accepting applications for Build with Bags grants, which are to be used for improvements to parks, school playgrounds and other types of recreation.

The IGIA awards up to $2,000 for purchases of picnic tables, park benches, planters and playground equipment made of recycled plastic.

“We want to encourage community groups to apply for these grants even if they’ve applied in the past,” said Iowa Grocery Industry Association President Michelle Hurd. “Grocers care about the environment, and they express this care and concern through the Build with Bags grant program.”

After 10 years, the Build with Bags grant program has donated $335,562 to more than 195 schools and parks across the state and kept hundreds of thousands of plastic bags out of landfills.

The idea is to use the money from the Build with Bags grants to increase plastic bag recycling efforts throughout Iowa and it’s working, according to Hurd. Approximately 10,600 plastic bags are used in the making of one park bench and more than 20,000 are used to make a picnic table.

Participating retailers include Fareway and Hy-Vee locations as well as many independent grocers throughout the state.

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2020 calendar year. Details on how to apply and selection criteria, are outlined at http://www.iowagrocers.com/build-with-bags-grant-application.cfm.

Grants recipients will be announced in conjunction with Earth Day on April 22. Notification will be made directly to each grant recipient and sponsoring Iowa Grocery Industry Association member.

The deadline to apply for a grant is March 30, 2020.