Cranberry Township and Mars are two of 157 municipalities in Pennsylvania selected for a state recycling grant.

Cranberry, which will receive $350,000, and Mars, which will get $140,069, will be able to boost their recycling programs via the Recycling Development and Implementation Grant.

The funds are earmarked for recycling collection and education, as well as leaf litter pickup.

Many communities, according to the state, plan to use their grants for leaf collection, as leaves generally can’t be sent to landfills and many communities forbid open burning.

Municipalities and counties in Pennsylvania are eligible to receive up to 90% of their recycling program costs through the recycling grant. The state allocated funds additionally in a way to meet market demands for recyclables.

Examples of eligible projects include operating leaf compost facilities; developing web-based programs on recycling for consumers, expanding recycling processing facilities, installing data collection systems on recycling vehicles, continuing and creating curbside recycling programs, and developing educational materials to encourage residents to properly recycle.