The city has received a grant to purchase new trash and recycling cans for the central business district.

The 20 double-receptacle containers will replace the 15 trash-only cans throughout the downtown and four on the Village Green.

The old cans have succumbed to the effects of weather and old age, according to Robert Chandler, assistant director of the service department.

The grant of not more than $14,075 will be received from the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) as part of its annual grants program.

Grants are available to municipalities, schools, governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations.

The grants require a 25-percent match from the recipient. The city's portion will be met by labor costs for installation, signs and maintenance, according to a memo from Chandler.

The new cans will be similar in style to the existing slatted, steel containers but will have two 30-gallon receptacles in each.

Downtown business patrons will be able to deposit recyclables in separate containers to keep them out of the landfills. Acceptable materials will be clean paper and cardboard, plastic and glass bottles, aluminum and steel cans, and newspaper.