The commissioner shall make grants for providing financial aid to municipal and regional authorities to reduce their solid waste volume reduction and disposal costs of operation. An annual amount equal to twenty-five cents per capita, but not exceeding five thousand dollars, shall be paid to a single municipal authority which carries on operations that comply with the public health code of the state. An additional annual five cents per capita shall be granted for each municipality in the region up to a maximum of fifty cents per capita. These funds may be used to hire needed personnel, purchase equipment and replacement parts, and make any necessary modifications or repairs to facilities or sites and equipment used in processing and disposal of solid wastes.