Biden-Harris Administration Announces Almost $8 Million for Tribal Recycling Infrastructure Projects in the Pacific Southwest
SAN FRANCISCO – Today, in conjunction with America Recycles Day, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing nine selectees across the nation’s Pacific Southwest region to receive a total of $7,915,660 in Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia. These grants, which are part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will expand recycling infrastructure and education for Tribal waste management systems across the region.
“These grants, made possible by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will enable Tribes across the Pacific Southwest to increase recycling rates in their communities through improved infrastructure, in-person engagement and education,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “Recycling, reducing waste and composting are ways everyone can protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
EPA’s nine selectees are:
Cher Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria ($950,679) in California will construct a zero waste facility, purchase equipment, hire and train staff, and install and service compost and recycling bins throughout the community. The Trinidad Rancheria zero waste facility will process the Tribe’s food waste, green waste, paper waste, fish waste from sport and charter fishers, serve as a transfer station for sorting and backhauling common recyclables, and provide an example for the development of circular economies for tribes and rural communities.
“The Trinidad Rancheria is pleased to receive funding through EPA Solid Waste Infrastructure for recycling. This funding will enable the Tribe to develop a Zero Waste Facility to serve our tribal government, tribal community, and economic development enterprises. This facility will also serve as an example for future development of circular economies through sustainable materials management for rural communities and tribes,” said Garth Sundberg, Tribal Chairman, Trinidad Rancheria.
Gila River Indian Community ($1,276,606) in Arizona will evaluate its current waste stream for contamination issues and opportunities to create baseline data to track recycling progress and build physical and programmatic capacity to address recycling needs. The purchase of recycling bins and two automated side loader recycling trucks to expand curbside recycling collection, along with community education will increase recycling rates by conducting education for the population of 12,000 residents to maximize community participation and reduce contamination of the recycling stream.
Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel ($1,500,000) in California will build and staff a small-scale sorting and transfer station and implement an outreach campaign to manage post-consumer materials and divert waste from landfills. The project will consist of an education and outreach phase, a construction phase, and an operations and data collection phase, all phases including consistent reporting. The sorting station will divert waste from landfills by recovering, reusing, recycling, repairing, and refurbishing appropriate materials and ultimately assist in creating a circular economy by developing a business model that allows postconsumer products to maintain their highest value for as long as possible.
“A Sorting and Transfer station will assist the Nation in protecting the environment and creating a circular economy for historically underserved communities” said Kevin Osuna, Chairman of the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel. “By developing a waste management model that allows post-consumer products to maintain their highest value for as long as possible, we are strengthening our commitment in protecting the environment and providing for the next seven generations.”
Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians ($173,750) in California will procure infrastructure to allow the Tribe to implement its integrated waste management plan to improve collection and materials management infrastructure, increase the reuse of used and discarded materials, reduce contamination in the waste and recycle streams, and identify markets for recyclables.
Pechanga Band of Indians ($1,065,473) in California will establish a curbside recycling program for the tribal community on Pechanga Reservation, design and build infrastructure to support a materials recovery facility for the tribal community and increase diversion of recyclable and compostable materials and household hazardous waste. Funding will be used for equipment and infrastructure, including a designated facility for household hazardous waste, as well as staff time.
Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians ($1,500,000) in California will expand materials management infrastructure at the Rincon transfer station to facilitate greater reuse, recycling, composting, collection, and storage of recyclable and organic materials on the Rincon Reservation. The project includes asphalt paving; installation of a filtered drainage system; purchasing equipment including a tub grinder and a recycling station for plastic bottles, cans, cardboard, and glass; and roofing and secondary containment for tires, composting, hazardous waste, and e-waste collection areas for added safety.
“We are excited to upgrade our solid waste and recycling infrastructure program on our tribal reservation,” said Chairman Bo Mazzetti of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians. “Our goal is to keep our tribal lands clean and green for our future generations while educating our people on the importance of recycling and the many environmental and economic benefits that can be achieved. Together we can create positive change.”
Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians ($406,837) in California will improve solid waste management planning and infrastructure, maximize diversion rates and community participation, and improve zero waste education. The project will develop a tribally approved Integrated Waste Management Plan to serve the community, develop educational programming and an enforceable regulatory framework to enhance residential participation.
Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians ($653,120) in California will enhance their recycling program to increase recycling self-reliance capacity within the reservation by purchasing improved recycling infrastructure and supplies that will create an updated recycling center on the reservation. The Tribe’s Environmental Department plans to recycle all recyclable materials, produced both on and off the reservation, including from the administrative buildings, Tribal membership housing, economic development properties, and the clinic.
“This funding will allow us to build a recycling center to maximize the volume of recyclable materials and organics removed from the waste stream on Tribal land,” said Chairwoman Regina Cuellar said Chairwoman Regina Cuellar of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. “We look forward to working with the Tribal community to create a more sustainable future.”
Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation ($389,194) in Nevada will improve recycling practices for the Tribe by fully staffing their recycling program, purchasing needed recycling equipment including a baler, and improving their education and outreach program. This project aims to expand materials management infrastructure and reduce waste.
"The Shoshone Paiute Tribes are thrilled to announce the successful acquisition of a Solid Waste Infrastructure/Recycling grant from the EPA. This momentous achievement underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship, as we eagerly embark on initiatives to diminish the carbon footprint within our community and foster sustainability," said Marissa Snapp, Tribal Environmental Director, Shoshone Paiute Tribes.
These recycling grants will help tackle consumer confusion and outdated recycling infrastructure, the largest barriers to proper recycling. Thanks to President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was signed two years ago today, EPA was provided the largest recycling investment in 30 years that is funding these two new programs.
These grants reflect the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to tackling environmental justice and the climate crisis. Many communities with environmental justice concerns carry a disproportionate environmental and human health burden from waste management. As part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, 100% of the funding allocated in EPA’s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling for Tribes grants will benefit underserved and overburdened communities. Increasing recycling is also an important way to reduce pollution because natural resource extraction and processing make up half of all global greenhouse gas emissions that drive the climate crisis. Recycling reduces the need to extract resources such as timber, water, and minerals for new products.
Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia
The Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia will enable Tribes to make improvements to their recycling and waste management systems, meeting Congress’ goal to create a stronger, more resilient, and cost-effective U.S. municipal solid waste recycling system.
To learn more about the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia funding, please visit: EPA’s Recipients and Selectees webpage.
America Recycles Day
Today marks both the 29th America Recycles Day, the second anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the second anniversary of EPA’s National Recycling Strategy. The National Recycling Strategy was the first in a series of EPA strategies devoted to building a circular economy – one that reduces material use, redesigns materials, products, and services to be less resource intensive, and recaptures “waste” as a resource to manufacture new materials and products.
To build upon the goals of the recycling strategy, EPA released the Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution for public comment in April. The Draft Strategy outlines steps to reduce pollution during production, improve management of plastic materials throughout product lifecycles, and encourage actions to keep plastics out of national waterways and the environment. Future strategies will address food waste and electronics.
EPA also recently announced over $105 million for the selectees of the historic SWIFR grants for states and communities. These improvements will support a circular economy, help lower greenhouse gas emissions, as more efficient waste management systems are key to reducing energy consumption and the need for raw materials, while rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, powered by well-paying jobs that don’t require four-year degrees.
Visit EPA’s website to learn more ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Learn more about America Recycles Day.
Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on X.
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“These grants, made possible by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will enable Tribes across the Pacific Southwest to increase recycling rates in their communities through improved infrastructure, in-person engagement and education,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “Recycling, reducing waste and composting are ways everyone can protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
EPA’s nine selectees are:
Cher Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria ($950,679) in California will construct a zero waste facility, purchase equipment, hire and train staff, and install and service compost and recycling bins throughout the community. The Trinidad Rancheria zero waste facility will process the Tribe’s food waste, green waste, paper waste, fish waste from sport and charter fishers, serve as a transfer station for sorting and backhauling common recyclables, and provide an example for the development of circular economies for tribes and rural communities.
“The Trinidad Rancheria is pleased to receive funding through EPA Solid Waste Infrastructure for recycling. This funding will enable the Tribe to develop a Zero Waste Facility to serve our tribal government, tribal community, and economic development enterprises. This facility will also serve as an example for future development of circular economies through sustainable materials management for rural communities and tribes,” said Garth Sundberg, Tribal Chairman, Trinidad Rancheria.
Gila River Indian Community ($1,276,606) in Arizona will evaluate its current waste stream for contamination issues and opportunities to create baseline data to track recycling progress and build physical and programmatic capacity to address recycling needs. The purchase of recycling bins and two automated side loader recycling trucks to expand curbside recycling collection, along with community education will increase recycling rates by conducting education for the population of 12,000 residents to maximize community participation and reduce contamination of the recycling stream.
Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel ($1,500,000) in California will build and staff a small-scale sorting and transfer station and implement an outreach campaign to manage post-consumer materials and divert waste from landfills. The project will consist of an education and outreach phase, a construction phase, and an operations and data collection phase, all phases including consistent reporting. The sorting station will divert waste from landfills by recovering, reusing, recycling, repairing, and refurbishing appropriate materials and ultimately assist in creating a circular economy by developing a business model that allows postconsumer products to maintain their highest value for as long as possible.
“A Sorting and Transfer station will assist the Nation in protecting the environment and creating a circular economy for historically underserved communities” said Kevin Osuna, Chairman of the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel. “By developing a waste management model that allows post-consumer products to maintain their highest value for as long as possible, we are strengthening our commitment in protecting the environment and providing for the next seven generations.”
Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians ($173,750) in California will procure infrastructure to allow the Tribe to implement its integrated waste management plan to improve collection and materials management infrastructure, increase the reuse of used and discarded materials, reduce contamination in the waste and recycle streams, and identify markets for recyclables.
Pechanga Band of Indians ($1,065,473) in California will establish a curbside recycling program for the tribal community on Pechanga Reservation, design and build infrastructure to support a materials recovery facility for the tribal community and increase diversion of recyclable and compostable materials and household hazardous waste. Funding will be used for equipment and infrastructure, including a designated facility for household hazardous waste, as well as staff time.
Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians ($1,500,000) in California will expand materials management infrastructure at the Rincon transfer station to facilitate greater reuse, recycling, composting, collection, and storage of recyclable and organic materials on the Rincon Reservation. The project includes asphalt paving; installation of a filtered drainage system; purchasing equipment including a tub grinder and a recycling station for plastic bottles, cans, cardboard, and glass; and roofing and secondary containment for tires, composting, hazardous waste, and e-waste collection areas for added safety.
“We are excited to upgrade our solid waste and recycling infrastructure program on our tribal reservation,” said Chairman Bo Mazzetti of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians. “Our goal is to keep our tribal lands clean and green for our future generations while educating our people on the importance of recycling and the many environmental and economic benefits that can be achieved. Together we can create positive change.”
Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians ($406,837) in California will improve solid waste management planning and infrastructure, maximize diversion rates and community participation, and improve zero waste education. The project will develop a tribally approved Integrated Waste Management Plan to serve the community, develop educational programming and an enforceable regulatory framework to enhance residential participation.
Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians ($653,120) in California will enhance their recycling program to increase recycling self-reliance capacity within the reservation by purchasing improved recycling infrastructure and supplies that will create an updated recycling center on the reservation. The Tribe’s Environmental Department plans to recycle all recyclable materials, produced both on and off the reservation, including from the administrative buildings, Tribal membership housing, economic development properties, and the clinic.
“This funding will allow us to build a recycling center to maximize the volume of recyclable materials and organics removed from the waste stream on Tribal land,” said Chairwoman Regina Cuellar said Chairwoman Regina Cuellar of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. “We look forward to working with the Tribal community to create a more sustainable future.”
Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation ($389,194) in Nevada will improve recycling practices for the Tribe by fully staffing their recycling program, purchasing needed recycling equipment including a baler, and improving their education and outreach program. This project aims to expand materials management infrastructure and reduce waste.
"The Shoshone Paiute Tribes are thrilled to announce the successful acquisition of a Solid Waste Infrastructure/Recycling grant from the EPA. This momentous achievement underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship, as we eagerly embark on initiatives to diminish the carbon footprint within our community and foster sustainability," said Marissa Snapp, Tribal Environmental Director, Shoshone Paiute Tribes.
These recycling grants will help tackle consumer confusion and outdated recycling infrastructure, the largest barriers to proper recycling. Thanks to President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was signed two years ago today, EPA was provided the largest recycling investment in 30 years that is funding these two new programs.
These grants reflect the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to tackling environmental justice and the climate crisis. Many communities with environmental justice concerns carry a disproportionate environmental and human health burden from waste management. As part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, 100% of the funding allocated in EPA’s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling for Tribes grants will benefit underserved and overburdened communities. Increasing recycling is also an important way to reduce pollution because natural resource extraction and processing make up half of all global greenhouse gas emissions that drive the climate crisis. Recycling reduces the need to extract resources such as timber, water, and minerals for new products.
Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia
The Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia will enable Tribes to make improvements to their recycling and waste management systems, meeting Congress’ goal to create a stronger, more resilient, and cost-effective U.S. municipal solid waste recycling system.
To learn more about the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia funding, please visit: EPA’s Recipients and Selectees webpage.
America Recycles Day
Today marks both the 29th America Recycles Day, the second anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the second anniversary of EPA’s National Recycling Strategy. The National Recycling Strategy was the first in a series of EPA strategies devoted to building a circular economy – one that reduces material use, redesigns materials, products, and services to be less resource intensive, and recaptures “waste” as a resource to manufacture new materials and products.
To build upon the goals of the recycling strategy, EPA released the Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution for public comment in April. The Draft Strategy outlines steps to reduce pollution during production, improve management of plastic materials throughout product lifecycles, and encourage actions to keep plastics out of national waterways and the environment. Future strategies will address food waste and electronics.
EPA also recently announced over $105 million for the selectees of the historic SWIFR grants for states and communities. These improvements will support a circular economy, help lower greenhouse gas emissions, as more efficient waste management systems are key to reducing energy consumption and the need for raw materials, while rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, powered by well-paying jobs that don’t require four-year degrees.
Visit EPA’s website to learn more ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Learn more about America Recycles Day.
Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on X.
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U.S. EPA Mid-Atlantic Region and City of Baltimore celebrate America Recycles Day and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Baltimore, MD - U.S. EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Director Adam Ortiz and the City of Baltimore celebrated two milestones – America Recycles Day and the anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) – by visiting the site of a future composting facility in Baltimore that was selected for a $4 million Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant. Once constructed, the facility will accept food scraps and other organic material to be turned into compost in the solar powered facility.
“Recycling is a key component to reducing waste in communities but not everyone realizes the related benefits that recycling has,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Director Adam Ortiz. “This facility, which was selected for a grant under the BIL’s SWIFR program, will recycle food scraps into usable compost material. It will also prevent that food waste from going to incinerators in South Baltimore which will improve the air quality of the communities nearby. Altogether, it is a sterling example of the positive impact that BIL is having across the country.”
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has provided our city with incredible investments, which my newly created Mayor’s Office of Infrastructure Development is putting to use to overcome the decades of disinvestment that far too many of our communities have faced for decades,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Today, on American Recycles Day and two years since this bill became law, we’re thrilled to welcome the EPA and so many partners to our city to highlight one of the projects this law is funding to help shape the future of Baltimore. As the first composting facility of its kind in our City, this project will help our commitment to reducing our waste and modernizing the way we handle it in order to make our city healthier and more sustainable for generations to come.”
“The Environmental Protection Agency’s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant will support the creation of a first-of-its-kind solar-powered composting facility, which will divert 12,000 tons of waste annually from the City’s waste stream. This will be an important advancement toward zero waste for the City of Baltimore. I want to thank the EPA for their support in this process, and look forward to continuing our collaboration and partnership on this project,” said Baltimore City Department of Public Works Interim Director Richard Luna.
President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda is growing the American economy from the bottom up and middle-out – from rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, to driving over $470 billion in private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments in the United States, to creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, to building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient.
EPA’s SWIFR Program is also advancing President's Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution. Approximately $59 million out of the $73 million – or 81% - of the total funding for communities will go toward projects that benefit disadvantaged communities.
“Recycling is a key component to reducing waste in communities but not everyone realizes the related benefits that recycling has,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Director Adam Ortiz. “This facility, which was selected for a grant under the BIL’s SWIFR program, will recycle food scraps into usable compost material. It will also prevent that food waste from going to incinerators in South Baltimore which will improve the air quality of the communities nearby. Altogether, it is a sterling example of the positive impact that BIL is having across the country.”
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has provided our city with incredible investments, which my newly created Mayor’s Office of Infrastructure Development is putting to use to overcome the decades of disinvestment that far too many of our communities have faced for decades,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Today, on American Recycles Day and two years since this bill became law, we’re thrilled to welcome the EPA and so many partners to our city to highlight one of the projects this law is funding to help shape the future of Baltimore. As the first composting facility of its kind in our City, this project will help our commitment to reducing our waste and modernizing the way we handle it in order to make our city healthier and more sustainable for generations to come.”
“The Environmental Protection Agency’s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant will support the creation of a first-of-its-kind solar-powered composting facility, which will divert 12,000 tons of waste annually from the City’s waste stream. This will be an important advancement toward zero waste for the City of Baltimore. I want to thank the EPA for their support in this process, and look forward to continuing our collaboration and partnership on this project,” said Baltimore City Department of Public Works Interim Director Richard Luna.
President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda is growing the American economy from the bottom up and middle-out – from rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, to driving over $470 billion in private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments in the United States, to creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, to building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient.
EPA’s SWIFR Program is also advancing President's Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution. Approximately $59 million out of the $73 million – or 81% - of the total funding for communities will go toward projects that benefit disadvantaged communities.
Biden-Harris Administration announces more than $9.2M for EPA Region 8 Tribal and community recycling projects as part of America Recycles Day
DENVER – Today, in conjunction with America Recycles Day, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced nine selectees to receive more than $9.2 million in Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grants for Tribes and Recycling Education and Outreach (REO) grants. Selectees include several Tribal Nations in Montana and North Dakota, nongovernment organizations in Eagle and Denver, Colorado, and the Salt Lake City Corporation.
Part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and a key pillar of Bidenomics, these grants will expand recycling infrastructure and education for waste management systems across the region.
“Today, on America Recycles Day, we are putting historic recycling investments into communities, made possible by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Two years ago today, the President signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and with it, unleashed unprecedented funding to enable Tribes and communities to update recycling and composting infrastructure, while also advancing education programs to increase recycling rates and reduce waste.”
“EPA’s Tribal and community partners have developed comprehensive plans to expand and improve waste management services for their residents and businesses,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “From enhanced recycling and market development to new food waste recovery and composting programs, these investments will make visible differences in communities in Colorado, North Dakota, Montana and Utah.”
These grants reflect the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to tackling environmental justice and the climate crisis. As part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, 100% of the funding allocated in EPA’s SWIFR for Tribes grants and 74% of the funding allocated in the REO grants will benefit underserved and overburdened communities.
Increasing recycling is an important way to reduce pollution because natural resource extraction and processing make up half of all global greenhouse gas emissions that drive the climate crisis. Recycling reduces the need to extract resources such as timber, water and minerals for new products.
Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia
EPA Region 8 has announced six selectees to receive more than $6.9 million through the SWIFR program. They include:
The Crow Tribe of Indians in Montana has been selected to receive $1,344,896 to expand materials management infrastructure, create efficient collection routes, monitor compliance and enforcement and create secure Transfer Sites for waste. These activities aim to increase recycling collection, increase data collection and provide household-level collection for rural communities.
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe in Montana has been selected to receive $1,023,748 to identify end-markets and expand materials management infrastructure. These objectives will be achieved by expanding existing recycling program, establishing five new recycling collection facilities, purchasing equipment and researching end-markers and community partnerships for previously unrecycled materials. These activities will encourage and expand recycling activities to reduce community blight and potential health and environmental contamination associated with illegal dump sites.
The Chippewa Cree Tribe in Montana has been selected to receive $1,075,483 to develop their Solid Waste Management Program by expanding infrastructure, strengthening data collection efforts and focusing on post-consumer materials management. These activities aim to improve recycled commodity markets, increase collection and reduce contamination.
The Blackfeet Tribe in Montana has been selected to receive $1,228,437 to develop their circular economy efforts through source reduction on the Blackfeet Reservation and outreach efforts on the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy Reservations. This objective will be achieved by expanding recycling programs, identifying end-markets and market development and developing tire shredding and glass crushing programs. The project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, divert solid waste from landfills and host waste management trainings.
The Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes in Montana have been selected to receive $744,810 to expand materials management infrastructure and identify end-markets. These objectives will be achieved by increasing staffing, establishing a new recycling collection facility, purchasing equipment to expand the recycling programs and researching end-markets and community partnerships for previously unrecycled materials. The project will also establish an additional plastic recycling center and increase the capacity for cardboard recycling. These actions will encourage and expand recycling activities and reduce blight and contamination associated with illegal dump sites.
The Spirit Lake Reservation in North Dakota has been selected to receive $1.5 million to improve waste collection, recycling, transport and disposal programs. This objective will be achieved by acquiring materials management infrastructure equipment, hiring staff and identifying new recycling opportunities. The project aims to address waste minimization, increase recycling activities and mitigate climate change impacts.
To learn more about the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia funding, please visit: EPA’s Recipients and Selectees webpage.
Recycling Education and Outreach Grants
EPA has announced three selectees to receive nearly $2.3 million in Recycling Education and Outreach grants. They include:
We Don’t Waste of Denver, Colorado, has been selected to receive $809,665 to reduce food waste and methane emissions through a multifaceted approach including education resources and workshops for schools, consumers and businesses and social media campaigns and engagement opportunities for community members. All activities will support the prevention, reduction and diversion of food, and responsible composting and recycling.
Walking Mountains in Eagle County, Colorado, has been selected to receive $568,832 to amplify current recycling programs ensuring everyone in Eagle County understands where, why and how to recycle and has equitable access to do so. As Eagle County’s recycling efforts continue to grow, recycling outreach and education efforts in disadvantaged communities are a priority.
The Salt Lake City Corporation in Salt Lake City, Utah, has been selected to receive $954,687 to promote the role of reuse, reduce and recycle (R3) to achieve zero waste in the city by 2040. Methods include meaningful environmental justice engagement to inform a communication campaign supported by outreach and education activities, a Recycling Ambassador program and community recycling collection events for hard to recycle items, electronic waste and household hazardous waste.
To learn more about the Recycling Education and Outreach funding, please visit: EPA’s Recipients and Selectees webpage.
America Recycles Day
Today marks both the 29th America Recycles Day, the second anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the second anniversary of EPA’s National Recycling Strategy. The National Recycling Strategy was the first in a series of EPA strategies devoted to building a circular economy – one that reduces material use, redesigns materials, products and services to be less resource intensive and recaptures “waste” as a resource to manufacture new materials and products.
Visit EPA’s Recycling website to learn ways to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and a key pillar of Bidenomics, these grants will expand recycling infrastructure and education for waste management systems across the region.
“Today, on America Recycles Day, we are putting historic recycling investments into communities, made possible by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Two years ago today, the President signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and with it, unleashed unprecedented funding to enable Tribes and communities to update recycling and composting infrastructure, while also advancing education programs to increase recycling rates and reduce waste.”
“EPA’s Tribal and community partners have developed comprehensive plans to expand and improve waste management services for their residents and businesses,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “From enhanced recycling and market development to new food waste recovery and composting programs, these investments will make visible differences in communities in Colorado, North Dakota, Montana and Utah.”
These grants reflect the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to tackling environmental justice and the climate crisis. As part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, 100% of the funding allocated in EPA’s SWIFR for Tribes grants and 74% of the funding allocated in the REO grants will benefit underserved and overburdened communities.
Increasing recycling is an important way to reduce pollution because natural resource extraction and processing make up half of all global greenhouse gas emissions that drive the climate crisis. Recycling reduces the need to extract resources such as timber, water and minerals for new products.
Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia
EPA Region 8 has announced six selectees to receive more than $6.9 million through the SWIFR program. They include:
The Crow Tribe of Indians in Montana has been selected to receive $1,344,896 to expand materials management infrastructure, create efficient collection routes, monitor compliance and enforcement and create secure Transfer Sites for waste. These activities aim to increase recycling collection, increase data collection and provide household-level collection for rural communities.
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe in Montana has been selected to receive $1,023,748 to identify end-markets and expand materials management infrastructure. These objectives will be achieved by expanding existing recycling program, establishing five new recycling collection facilities, purchasing equipment and researching end-markers and community partnerships for previously unrecycled materials. These activities will encourage and expand recycling activities to reduce community blight and potential health and environmental contamination associated with illegal dump sites.
The Chippewa Cree Tribe in Montana has been selected to receive $1,075,483 to develop their Solid Waste Management Program by expanding infrastructure, strengthening data collection efforts and focusing on post-consumer materials management. These activities aim to improve recycled commodity markets, increase collection and reduce contamination.
The Blackfeet Tribe in Montana has been selected to receive $1,228,437 to develop their circular economy efforts through source reduction on the Blackfeet Reservation and outreach efforts on the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy Reservations. This objective will be achieved by expanding recycling programs, identifying end-markets and market development and developing tire shredding and glass crushing programs. The project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, divert solid waste from landfills and host waste management trainings.
The Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes in Montana have been selected to receive $744,810 to expand materials management infrastructure and identify end-markets. These objectives will be achieved by increasing staffing, establishing a new recycling collection facility, purchasing equipment to expand the recycling programs and researching end-markets and community partnerships for previously unrecycled materials. The project will also establish an additional plastic recycling center and increase the capacity for cardboard recycling. These actions will encourage and expand recycling activities and reduce blight and contamination associated with illegal dump sites.
The Spirit Lake Reservation in North Dakota has been selected to receive $1.5 million to improve waste collection, recycling, transport and disposal programs. This objective will be achieved by acquiring materials management infrastructure equipment, hiring staff and identifying new recycling opportunities. The project aims to address waste minimization, increase recycling activities and mitigate climate change impacts.
To learn more about the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia funding, please visit: EPA’s Recipients and Selectees webpage.
Recycling Education and Outreach Grants
EPA has announced three selectees to receive nearly $2.3 million in Recycling Education and Outreach grants. They include:
We Don’t Waste of Denver, Colorado, has been selected to receive $809,665 to reduce food waste and methane emissions through a multifaceted approach including education resources and workshops for schools, consumers and businesses and social media campaigns and engagement opportunities for community members. All activities will support the prevention, reduction and diversion of food, and responsible composting and recycling.
Walking Mountains in Eagle County, Colorado, has been selected to receive $568,832 to amplify current recycling programs ensuring everyone in Eagle County understands where, why and how to recycle and has equitable access to do so. As Eagle County’s recycling efforts continue to grow, recycling outreach and education efforts in disadvantaged communities are a priority.
The Salt Lake City Corporation in Salt Lake City, Utah, has been selected to receive $954,687 to promote the role of reuse, reduce and recycle (R3) to achieve zero waste in the city by 2040. Methods include meaningful environmental justice engagement to inform a communication campaign supported by outreach and education activities, a Recycling Ambassador program and community recycling collection events for hard to recycle items, electronic waste and household hazardous waste.
To learn more about the Recycling Education and Outreach funding, please visit: EPA’s Recipients and Selectees webpage.
America Recycles Day
Today marks both the 29th America Recycles Day, the second anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the second anniversary of EPA’s National Recycling Strategy. The National Recycling Strategy was the first in a series of EPA strategies devoted to building a circular economy – one that reduces material use, redesigns materials, products and services to be less resource intensive and recaptures “waste” as a resource to manufacture new materials and products.
Visit EPA’s Recycling website to learn ways to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces More than $5.4 million in EPA Region 4 for Tribal Recycling Infrastructure Projects and Recycling Education and Outreach Grants as Part of America Recycles Day
ATLANTA (Nov. 15, 2023) – Today, in conjunction with America Recycles Day, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the selection of two selectees to receive over $1.7 million in Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia, and three selectees to receive over $3.6 million in Recycling Education and Outreach grants. These grants, which are part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, a key pillar of Bidenomics, will expand recycling infrastructure and education for waste management systems across the region.
“Today, on America Recycles Day, we are putting historic recycling investments into communities, made possible by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Two years ago today, the President signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and with it, unleashed unprecedented funding to enable Tribes and communities to update recycling and composting infrastructure, while also advancing education programs to increase recycling rates and reduce waste.”
“This historic investment in the Southeast area supports improvements to waste management systems,” said Acting EPA Region 4 Administrator Jeanneane Gettle. The improvements allow resources to be used more efficiently and simultaneously reduce impacts on the climate.”
“Tribal Nations want to do their part to reduce the waste that ends up polluting communities and harming human health. Unfortunately, many lack access to proper recycling and composting programs — oftentimes through no fault of their own,” said Senator Carper (DE), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is helping more Tribal communities invest in their recycling infrastructure and improve recycling rates across Indian Country. That’s something worth celebrating this America Recycles Day!”
These recycling grants will help tackle consumer confusion and outdated recycling infrastructure, the largest barriers to proper recycling. Thanks to President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was signed two years ago today, EPA was provided the largest recycling investment in 30 years that is funding these two new programs.
These grants reflect the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to tackling environmental justice and the climate crisis. Many communities with environmental justice concerns carry a disproportionate environmental and human health burden from waste disposal. As part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, 100% of the funding allocated in EPA’s SWIFR for Tribes grants and 74% of the funding allocated in the REO grants will benefit underserved and overburdened communities. Increasing recycling is also an important way to reduce pollution because natural resource extraction and processing make up half of all global greenhouse gas emissions that drive the climate crisis. Recycling reduces the need to extract resources such as timber, water, and minerals for new products.
Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia
The SWIFR grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia will enable Tribes to make improvements to their recycling and waste management systems, meeting Congress’ goal to create a stronger, more resilient, and cost-effective U.S. municipal solid waste recycling system. EPA Region 4 has announced the selection of two selectees to receive over $1.7 million through the program. They include:
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has been selected to receive $941,600. The funding for this project will be used to develop and implement methods of increasing post-consumer material collection, processing, and transporting to end-markets. The MBCI also intends to construct a biodiesel manufacturing facility with the intent to recapture 'waste' cooking oil from Tribal members, schools, and casinos to process into biodiesel.
Poarch Band of Creek Indians has been selected to receive $787,397. The funding for this project will be used to conduct a feasibility study on a proposed operation expansion, implementing upgrades to current facilities and equipment, and conducting outreach on the recycling program. These tasks will be followed by an analysis of the feasibility study, resulting in expanded recycling infrastructure, glass recycling, shredding services, and used tire collection/recycling.
To learn more about the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia funding, please visit: EPA’s Recipients and Selectees webpage.
Recycling Education and Outreach Grants
The Recycling Education and Outreach grant projects will help inform the public about local recycling and composting programs and focus on increasing collection rates and decreasing contamination of recycling streams across the nation. EPA has announced two selectees to receive over $3.6 million in Recycling Education and Outreach grants. They include:
EdVenture, Inc., has been selected to receive $1,746,339. The funding for this project will be used to create an exhibit of dinosaurs made from recycled and repurposed materials with a storyline and messaging that will educate families and children about better recycling habits, including reusing, remanufacturing, and even working toward a circular economy.
Osceola County Board of County Commissioners has been selected to receive $783,756. The funding for this project will implement an education and outreach program that will utilize digital media and in-person events to reach Osceola residents about the importance and “how-to” of responsible recycling in the community. The project includes a glass pulverizer demonstration to help residents think differently about recycling.
World Wildlife Fund has been selected to receive $1,164,792. The funding for this project will work with Title 1 school districts in Atlanta, Baltimore, Memphis, and Nashville to promote food waste reduction and recycling. It will conduct food waste audits in schools, implement food waste reduction measures and conduct policy advocacy.
To learn more about the Recycling Education and Outreach funding, please visit: EPA’s Recipients and Selectees webpage.
America Recycles Day
Today marks the 29th America Recycles Day, the second anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the second anniversary of EPA’s National Recycling Strategy. The National Recycling Strategy was the first in a series of EPA strategies devoted to building a circular economy – one that reduces material use, redesigns materials, products, and services to be less resource intensive, and recaptures “waste” as a resource to manufacture new materials and products.
To build upon the goals of the recycling strategy, EPA released the Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution for public comment in April. The Draft Strategy outlines steps to reduce pollution during production, improve management of plastic materials throughout product lifecycles, and encourage actions to keep plastics out of national waterways and the environment. Future strategies will address food waste and electronics.
EPA also recently announced over $105 million for the selectees of the historic SWIFR grants for states and communities. These improvements will support a circular economy and help lower greenhouse gas emissions as more efficient waste management systems are key to reducing energy consumption and the need for raw materials, while rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, powered by well-paying jobs that don’t require four-year degrees.
Visit EPA’s website to learn more ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
EPA offers many free, online resources, including:
Model Recycling Toolkit.
Composting Food Scraps in Your Community: A Social Marketing Toolkit.
Wasted Food Scale: Updated Recommendations.
Standardized Terms for Materials Accepted by Municipal Recycling Programs.
Creating Messages that Drive Behavior Change.
Recycling Infrastructure and Market Opportunities Map.
Learn more about America Recycles Day.
“Today, on America Recycles Day, we are putting historic recycling investments into communities, made possible by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Two years ago today, the President signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and with it, unleashed unprecedented funding to enable Tribes and communities to update recycling and composting infrastructure, while also advancing education programs to increase recycling rates and reduce waste.”
“This historic investment in the Southeast area supports improvements to waste management systems,” said Acting EPA Region 4 Administrator Jeanneane Gettle. The improvements allow resources to be used more efficiently and simultaneously reduce impacts on the climate.”
“Tribal Nations want to do their part to reduce the waste that ends up polluting communities and harming human health. Unfortunately, many lack access to proper recycling and composting programs — oftentimes through no fault of their own,” said Senator Carper (DE), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is helping more Tribal communities invest in their recycling infrastructure and improve recycling rates across Indian Country. That’s something worth celebrating this America Recycles Day!”
These recycling grants will help tackle consumer confusion and outdated recycling infrastructure, the largest barriers to proper recycling. Thanks to President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was signed two years ago today, EPA was provided the largest recycling investment in 30 years that is funding these two new programs.
These grants reflect the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to tackling environmental justice and the climate crisis. Many communities with environmental justice concerns carry a disproportionate environmental and human health burden from waste disposal. As part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, 100% of the funding allocated in EPA’s SWIFR for Tribes grants and 74% of the funding allocated in the REO grants will benefit underserved and overburdened communities. Increasing recycling is also an important way to reduce pollution because natural resource extraction and processing make up half of all global greenhouse gas emissions that drive the climate crisis. Recycling reduces the need to extract resources such as timber, water, and minerals for new products.
Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia
The SWIFR grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia will enable Tribes to make improvements to their recycling and waste management systems, meeting Congress’ goal to create a stronger, more resilient, and cost-effective U.S. municipal solid waste recycling system. EPA Region 4 has announced the selection of two selectees to receive over $1.7 million through the program. They include:
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has been selected to receive $941,600. The funding for this project will be used to develop and implement methods of increasing post-consumer material collection, processing, and transporting to end-markets. The MBCI also intends to construct a biodiesel manufacturing facility with the intent to recapture 'waste' cooking oil from Tribal members, schools, and casinos to process into biodiesel.
Poarch Band of Creek Indians has been selected to receive $787,397. The funding for this project will be used to conduct a feasibility study on a proposed operation expansion, implementing upgrades to current facilities and equipment, and conducting outreach on the recycling program. These tasks will be followed by an analysis of the feasibility study, resulting in expanded recycling infrastructure, glass recycling, shredding services, and used tire collection/recycling.
To learn more about the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia funding, please visit: EPA’s Recipients and Selectees webpage.
Recycling Education and Outreach Grants
The Recycling Education and Outreach grant projects will help inform the public about local recycling and composting programs and focus on increasing collection rates and decreasing contamination of recycling streams across the nation. EPA has announced two selectees to receive over $3.6 million in Recycling Education and Outreach grants. They include:
EdVenture, Inc., has been selected to receive $1,746,339. The funding for this project will be used to create an exhibit of dinosaurs made from recycled and repurposed materials with a storyline and messaging that will educate families and children about better recycling habits, including reusing, remanufacturing, and even working toward a circular economy.
Osceola County Board of County Commissioners has been selected to receive $783,756. The funding for this project will implement an education and outreach program that will utilize digital media and in-person events to reach Osceola residents about the importance and “how-to” of responsible recycling in the community. The project includes a glass pulverizer demonstration to help residents think differently about recycling.
World Wildlife Fund has been selected to receive $1,164,792. The funding for this project will work with Title 1 school districts in Atlanta, Baltimore, Memphis, and Nashville to promote food waste reduction and recycling. It will conduct food waste audits in schools, implement food waste reduction measures and conduct policy advocacy.
To learn more about the Recycling Education and Outreach funding, please visit: EPA’s Recipients and Selectees webpage.
America Recycles Day
Today marks the 29th America Recycles Day, the second anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the second anniversary of EPA’s National Recycling Strategy. The National Recycling Strategy was the first in a series of EPA strategies devoted to building a circular economy – one that reduces material use, redesigns materials, products, and services to be less resource intensive, and recaptures “waste” as a resource to manufacture new materials and products.
To build upon the goals of the recycling strategy, EPA released the Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution for public comment in April. The Draft Strategy outlines steps to reduce pollution during production, improve management of plastic materials throughout product lifecycles, and encourage actions to keep plastics out of national waterways and the environment. Future strategies will address food waste and electronics.
EPA also recently announced over $105 million for the selectees of the historic SWIFR grants for states and communities. These improvements will support a circular economy and help lower greenhouse gas emissions as more efficient waste management systems are key to reducing energy consumption and the need for raw materials, while rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, powered by well-paying jobs that don’t require four-year degrees.
Visit EPA’s website to learn more ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
EPA offers many free, online resources, including:
Model Recycling Toolkit.
Composting Food Scraps in Your Community: A Social Marketing Toolkit.
Wasted Food Scale: Updated Recommendations.
Standardized Terms for Materials Accepted by Municipal Recycling Programs.
Creating Messages that Drive Behavior Change.
Recycling Infrastructure and Market Opportunities Map.
Learn more about America Recycles Day.
EPA awards $38M for re-use, recycling, composting infrastructure and outreach projects in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest
SEATTLE (Nov. 15, 2023) – Today, on America Recycles Day, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $34,874,064 in Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grants and $3,595,736 in Recycling Education and Outreach (REO) grants in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. The grants are funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will expand recycling infrastructure and education for waste management systems in states, tribes and communities across the region.
“Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are expanding federal funding for local and tribal priorities that improve environmental health,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “These funds will help advance innovative recycling services, resulting in good-paying jobs and repurposing useful resources that would otherwise end up in landfills.”
The grants support the implementation of EPA’s National Recycling Strategy to build an economy devoted to keeping materials, products, and services in circulation for as long as possible – what’s known as a “circular economy.” Recycling grants will also help tackle consumer confusion and outdated recycling infrastructure, the largest barriers to proper recycling.
“This federal grant will enable developing a local, sustainable organic materials management program and supporting infrastructure,” said Matanuska-Susitna Borough Manager Mike Brown. “This aligns with ongoing efforts to improve recycling in our community while diverting organic material from our waste stream. We appreciate the federal support for advancing this program and our local partners such as Valley Community for Recycling Solutions and their commitment to the Mat-Su.”
Communities awarded SWIFR funding:
Matanuska-Susitna Borough ($3,540,340) Develop a local sustainable materials management system with residential recycling and composting.
City of Seattle ($4,000,000) Establish a salvaged wood warehouse to help build a circular wood economy.
“For thousands of years Alaska Native people have been showing us the importance of resourcefulness and adaptability,” said Cook Inlet Tribal Council President & CEO Gloria O’Neill. “This grant from the EPA will allow us to teach important skills and values to Our Youth while working with our Tribal partners to build plastics recycling infrastructure that helps restore land, reduce waste and environmental contamination, and support healthy, sustainable communities.”
Tribal governments awarded SWIFR funding:
Alaska
Aleut Corporation ($1,500,000) Establish a solid waste collection and recycling program on Adak Island.
Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association ($1,499,090) Build a regional sustainable materials management plan to reduce landfilling and burning of solid waste.
Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc. ($1,500,000) Establish and expand materials management infrastructure to support plastics recycling, 3d printing and other fabrication technologies in Alaska Native villages. For example, a community may wish to use recycled plastic to create toys for in-school use, while another may envision a use that supports local fishing operations or produce beads for traditional crafting activities.
Native Village of Ekwok ($817,497) Expand solid waste recycling program activities and increase community participation with a new stand-alone Solid Waste Recycling program.
Igiugig Village ($1,475,782) Build a new year-round Igiugig Village Recycling Center.
Kawerak, Inc. ($1,497,988) Develop a regional recycling center serving Nome and surrounding communities, diverting materials from 16 local, unlined landfills in rural and remote areas.
Knik Tribe ($212,197) Establish green waste collection and composting systems on tribal land in coordination with the food bank, schools and partners.
Kodiak Area Native Association ($1,338,254) Assist all six Kodiak village communities with rural waste stream inventories and improve waste management infrastructure for efficient management, waste reduction and recycling.
Metlakatla Indian Community ($555,707) Develop a community composting program with the MIC S’ndooyntgm Galts’ap Community Garden by building a composting facility and providing community education.
Nelson Island Consortium ($1,500,000) Backhaul hazardous waste materials from each of the 7 communities in the Consortium by building capacity through training and community engagement, purchasing shipping equipment and recycling sheds.
Nenana Native Association ($973,500) Provide dumpsters and logistics support for local use and recycling, collection and transfer to the landfill in Fairbanks for recycling and proper disposal, and clean up illegal dump sites.
Orutsararmiut Native Council ($1,372,833) Expand the Bethel Community Recycling Program with recycling accessibility, e-waste and hazardous waste backhaul, and establish a community composting program.
Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska ($1,186,753) Build a recycling hub and recycling program for the Aleutian Island chain, raise awareness on the recycling process, produce recycled end products, and educate on the use of these recycled products.
Native Village of Shaktoolik ($1,413,014) Expand the local waste management system by purchasing five pieces of heavy equipment which will allow the community to relocate recyclables to a safe and easily accessible area to reduce contamination in the recycled materials stream.
Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes ($1,499,998) Expand the Tribe’s composting and food waste reduction program and bolster its recycling program while serving Southeast Alaska’s broader tribal network by establishing a regional solid waste management hub.
Yakutat Tlingit Tribe ($559,548) Develop a community-wide composting program, create and share outreach and education materials with the community to help the program succeed in diverting food waste from the community landfill, and support the tribal greenhouse and community garden.
Idaho
Kootenai Tribe of Idaho ($530,222) Develop a food and yard waste composting program for Boundary County, Idaho and the Kootenai Indian Reservation to decrease the amount of solid waste going to the landfill through composting, recycling and education.
Nez Perce Tribe ($589,154) Improve the Tribe’s solid waste management program and infrastructure, focusing on environmentally sound postconsumer materials management, adding a new recycling stream, and funding additional staff to increase capacity.
Oregon
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation ($915,895) Update and overhaul the Tribe’s recycling plan to focus on practical and culturally sensitive recycling options, replace and upgrade recycling equipment and expand markets for recycled commodities through Tribal user education and recycled materials management.
Washington
Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe ($888,415) Expand current composting efforts to scale up and accommodate collection of biodegradable materials from the surrounding rural community and businesses with a new municipal composting facility.
Skokomish Indian Tribe ($1,354,922) Improve solid waste and recycling infrastructure and capacity on the Skokomish Reservation by building a drop-box transfer station for tribal members and the local community.
Snoqualmie Indian Tribe ($365,085) Develop a Casino waste identification, reduction, and recycling program and form a “Green Team” to work collaboratively on waste reduction, recycling, and other projects that will create the infrastructure to reduce solid waste on the Tribe’s reservation.
Tribal Solid Waste Advisory Network ($1,499,609) Create a pilot program for rural tribes to develop small recycling programs, including purchasing equipment, training employees and communities, creating a composting program and end market research to support collaboration for recycling in small tribal communities.
State agencies awarded SWIFR funding:
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation ($753,755) Evaluate and report on municipal solid waste, construction/demolition waste, composting and recycling programs.
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality ($733,568) Develop and implement a data collection and state plan to advance sustainable materials management.
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality ($410,563) Implement phase 2 of the Bad Apple education and outreach campaign to encourage households to reduce food waste.
Washington State Department of Ecology ($390,375) Develop a circular economy accelerator program to support projects for waste prevention, reuse, repair, recycling and organics.
Communities awarded REO funding:
City of Tacoma ($1,999,806) Create a Multilingual Recycling Ambassador Program to engage disadvantaged communities in recycling, food/yard waste, and waste reduction education. Artificial intelligence cameras will provide individualized feedback to residential customers to help reduce recycling contamination.
Community Warehouse/ReClaim ($1,595,930) Partners will use community education and outreach to increase the reuse, repair and refurbishing of bulky furniture and household goods containing commonly reused materials, including metal, plastics, textiles and electronics by 50% in Portland, Oregon.
Background
The Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant program, authorized by the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act and funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provides $275 million for Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grants nationwide. In addition, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $75 million for the Recycling Education and Outreach grant program to improve the effectiveness of residential and community recycling and composting programs.
* * *
EPA Region 10 Pacific Northwest - Serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and 271 Tribal Nations. Visit us online, follow us on Facebook and X and subscribe to our RSS feed.
“Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are expanding federal funding for local and tribal priorities that improve environmental health,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “These funds will help advance innovative recycling services, resulting in good-paying jobs and repurposing useful resources that would otherwise end up in landfills.”
The grants support the implementation of EPA’s National Recycling Strategy to build an economy devoted to keeping materials, products, and services in circulation for as long as possible – what’s known as a “circular economy.” Recycling grants will also help tackle consumer confusion and outdated recycling infrastructure, the largest barriers to proper recycling.
“This federal grant will enable developing a local, sustainable organic materials management program and supporting infrastructure,” said Matanuska-Susitna Borough Manager Mike Brown. “This aligns with ongoing efforts to improve recycling in our community while diverting organic material from our waste stream. We appreciate the federal support for advancing this program and our local partners such as Valley Community for Recycling Solutions and their commitment to the Mat-Su.”
Communities awarded SWIFR funding:
Matanuska-Susitna Borough ($3,540,340) Develop a local sustainable materials management system with residential recycling and composting.
City of Seattle ($4,000,000) Establish a salvaged wood warehouse to help build a circular wood economy.
“For thousands of years Alaska Native people have been showing us the importance of resourcefulness and adaptability,” said Cook Inlet Tribal Council President & CEO Gloria O’Neill. “This grant from the EPA will allow us to teach important skills and values to Our Youth while working with our Tribal partners to build plastics recycling infrastructure that helps restore land, reduce waste and environmental contamination, and support healthy, sustainable communities.”
Tribal governments awarded SWIFR funding:
Alaska
Aleut Corporation ($1,500,000) Establish a solid waste collection and recycling program on Adak Island.
Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association ($1,499,090) Build a regional sustainable materials management plan to reduce landfilling and burning of solid waste.
Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc. ($1,500,000) Establish and expand materials management infrastructure to support plastics recycling, 3d printing and other fabrication technologies in Alaska Native villages. For example, a community may wish to use recycled plastic to create toys for in-school use, while another may envision a use that supports local fishing operations or produce beads for traditional crafting activities.
Native Village of Ekwok ($817,497) Expand solid waste recycling program activities and increase community participation with a new stand-alone Solid Waste Recycling program.
Igiugig Village ($1,475,782) Build a new year-round Igiugig Village Recycling Center.
Kawerak, Inc. ($1,497,988) Develop a regional recycling center serving Nome and surrounding communities, diverting materials from 16 local, unlined landfills in rural and remote areas.
Knik Tribe ($212,197) Establish green waste collection and composting systems on tribal land in coordination with the food bank, schools and partners.
Kodiak Area Native Association ($1,338,254) Assist all six Kodiak village communities with rural waste stream inventories and improve waste management infrastructure for efficient management, waste reduction and recycling.
Metlakatla Indian Community ($555,707) Develop a community composting program with the MIC S’ndooyntgm Galts’ap Community Garden by building a composting facility and providing community education.
Nelson Island Consortium ($1,500,000) Backhaul hazardous waste materials from each of the 7 communities in the Consortium by building capacity through training and community engagement, purchasing shipping equipment and recycling sheds.
Nenana Native Association ($973,500) Provide dumpsters and logistics support for local use and recycling, collection and transfer to the landfill in Fairbanks for recycling and proper disposal, and clean up illegal dump sites.
Orutsararmiut Native Council ($1,372,833) Expand the Bethel Community Recycling Program with recycling accessibility, e-waste and hazardous waste backhaul, and establish a community composting program.
Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska ($1,186,753) Build a recycling hub and recycling program for the Aleutian Island chain, raise awareness on the recycling process, produce recycled end products, and educate on the use of these recycled products.
Native Village of Shaktoolik ($1,413,014) Expand the local waste management system by purchasing five pieces of heavy equipment which will allow the community to relocate recyclables to a safe and easily accessible area to reduce contamination in the recycled materials stream.
Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes ($1,499,998) Expand the Tribe’s composting and food waste reduction program and bolster its recycling program while serving Southeast Alaska’s broader tribal network by establishing a regional solid waste management hub.
Yakutat Tlingit Tribe ($559,548) Develop a community-wide composting program, create and share outreach and education materials with the community to help the program succeed in diverting food waste from the community landfill, and support the tribal greenhouse and community garden.
Idaho
Kootenai Tribe of Idaho ($530,222) Develop a food and yard waste composting program for Boundary County, Idaho and the Kootenai Indian Reservation to decrease the amount of solid waste going to the landfill through composting, recycling and education.
Nez Perce Tribe ($589,154) Improve the Tribe’s solid waste management program and infrastructure, focusing on environmentally sound postconsumer materials management, adding a new recycling stream, and funding additional staff to increase capacity.
Oregon
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation ($915,895) Update and overhaul the Tribe’s recycling plan to focus on practical and culturally sensitive recycling options, replace and upgrade recycling equipment and expand markets for recycled commodities through Tribal user education and recycled materials management.
Washington
Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe ($888,415) Expand current composting efforts to scale up and accommodate collection of biodegradable materials from the surrounding rural community and businesses with a new municipal composting facility.
Skokomish Indian Tribe ($1,354,922) Improve solid waste and recycling infrastructure and capacity on the Skokomish Reservation by building a drop-box transfer station for tribal members and the local community.
Snoqualmie Indian Tribe ($365,085) Develop a Casino waste identification, reduction, and recycling program and form a “Green Team” to work collaboratively on waste reduction, recycling, and other projects that will create the infrastructure to reduce solid waste on the Tribe’s reservation.
Tribal Solid Waste Advisory Network ($1,499,609) Create a pilot program for rural tribes to develop small recycling programs, including purchasing equipment, training employees and communities, creating a composting program and end market research to support collaboration for recycling in small tribal communities.
State agencies awarded SWIFR funding:
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation ($753,755) Evaluate and report on municipal solid waste, construction/demolition waste, composting and recycling programs.
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality ($733,568) Develop and implement a data collection and state plan to advance sustainable materials management.
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality ($410,563) Implement phase 2 of the Bad Apple education and outreach campaign to encourage households to reduce food waste.
Washington State Department of Ecology ($390,375) Develop a circular economy accelerator program to support projects for waste prevention, reuse, repair, recycling and organics.
Communities awarded REO funding:
City of Tacoma ($1,999,806) Create a Multilingual Recycling Ambassador Program to engage disadvantaged communities in recycling, food/yard waste, and waste reduction education. Artificial intelligence cameras will provide individualized feedback to residential customers to help reduce recycling contamination.
Community Warehouse/ReClaim ($1,595,930) Partners will use community education and outreach to increase the reuse, repair and refurbishing of bulky furniture and household goods containing commonly reused materials, including metal, plastics, textiles and electronics by 50% in Portland, Oregon.
Background
The Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant program, authorized by the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act and funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provides $275 million for Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grants nationwide. In addition, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $75 million for the Recycling Education and Outreach grant program to improve the effectiveness of residential and community recycling and composting programs.
* * *
EPA Region 10 Pacific Northwest - Serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and 271 Tribal Nations. Visit us online, follow us on Facebook and X and subscribe to our RSS feed.
EPA Announces Over $3.8M in Region 7 for Tribal Recycling Infrastructure Projects and Recycling Education and Outreach Grants as Part of America Recycles Day
LENEXA, KAN. (NOV. 15, 2023) – Today, in conjunction with America Recycles Day, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the selection of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation to receive over $400,000 in Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia, and two selectees to receive nearly $3.5 million in Recycling Education and Outreach (REO) Grants. These grants, which are part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, will expand recycling infrastructure and education for waste management systems across the region.
“Supporting the circular economy through recycling is one of the most important steps we can take to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills in our region,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister. “These grants ensure that our cities and tribes have the resources they need to make a positive impact on our environment for generations to come.”
These recycling grants will help tackle consumer confusion and outdated recycling infrastructure, the largest barriers to proper recycling. Thanks to President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was signed two years ago today, EPA was provided the largest recycling investment in 30 years that is the funding these two new programs.
These grants reflect the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to tackling environmental justice and the climate crisis. Many communities with environmental justice concerns carry a disproportionate environmental and human health burden from waste management. As part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, 100% of the funding allocated in EPA’s SWIFR Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia and 74% of the funding allocated in the REO Grants will benefit underserved and overburdened communities. Increasing recycling is also an important way to reduce pollution, because natural resource extraction and processing make up half of all global greenhouse gas emissions that drive the climate crisis. Recycling reduces the need to extract resources such as timber, water, and minerals for new products.
Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia
The SWIFR Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia will enable tribes to make improvements to their recycling and waste management systems, meeting Congress’ goal to create a stronger, more resilient, and cost-effective U.S. municipal solid waste recycling system. EPA Region 7 has announced the selection of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in Mayetta, Kansas, to receive $414,736 through the program. The Tribe will use this funding to address operational challenges associated with aging solid waste and recycling infrastructure through equipment replacements. This objective will be achieved through the purchase of recycling infrastructure upgrades, such as a baler, recycling containers, a truck, a trailer, and metal-reinforced gates for material containment bins.
To learn more about the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia funding, please visit EPA’s Recycling Grants Selectees and Recipients page.
Recycling Education and Outreach Grants
The Recycling Education and Outreach Grant projects will help inform the public about local recycling and composting programs, and focus on increasing collection rates and decreasing contamination of recycling streams across the nation. EPA has announced two selectees to receive a combined $3,467,800 in REO Grants:
The City of Joplin, Missouri, has been selected to receive $1,740,000. The city will use these funds to support a three-year campaign focused on further expanding recycling awareness and encouraging behavioral changes through educational programs.
The City of Lincoln, Nebraska, has been selected to receive $1,727,800. The city will use these funds to form three focus groups to engage minorities, new Americans, and low-income individuals living in Lincoln’s 14 disadvantaged census tracts, which includes college students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, using evidence-based messaging to address barriers to recycling and food waste diversion and develop messages and outreach materials in a variety of methods and languages.
To learn more about the Recycling Education and Outreach funding, please visit EPA’s Recycling Grants Selectees and Recipients page.
America Recycles Day
Today marks the 29th annual America Recycles Day, which is also the second anniversary of both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and EPA’s National Recycling Strategy. The strategy was the first in a series of EPA strategies devoted to building a circular economy – one that reduces material use; redesigns materials, products, and services to be less resource-intensive; and recaptures “waste” as a resource to manufacture new materials and products.
To build upon the goals of the recycling strategy, EPA released the Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution for public comment in April 2023, which outlines steps to reduce pollution during production, improve management of plastic materials throughout product lifecycles, and encourage actions to keep plastics out of national waterways and the environment. Future strategies will address food waste and electronics. EPA also recently announced over $105 million for the selectees of the historic SWIFR grants for states and communities. These improvements will support a circular economy and help lower greenhouse gas emissions, as more efficient waste management systems are key to reducing energy consumption and the need for raw materials, while rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, powered by well-paying jobs that don’t require four-year degrees.
Visit EPA’s website to learn more ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. EPA offers many free online resources, including:
Model Recycling Program Toolkit
Composting Food Scraps in Your Community: A Social Marketing Toolkit
Wasted Food Scale: Updated Recommendations
Standardized Terms for Materials Accepted by Municipal Recycling Programs
Creating Messages that Drive Behavior Change
Recycling Infrastructure and Market Opportunities Map
Learn more about America Recycles Day.
# # #
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7
“Supporting the circular economy through recycling is one of the most important steps we can take to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills in our region,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister. “These grants ensure that our cities and tribes have the resources they need to make a positive impact on our environment for generations to come.”
These recycling grants will help tackle consumer confusion and outdated recycling infrastructure, the largest barriers to proper recycling. Thanks to President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was signed two years ago today, EPA was provided the largest recycling investment in 30 years that is the funding these two new programs.
These grants reflect the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to tackling environmental justice and the climate crisis. Many communities with environmental justice concerns carry a disproportionate environmental and human health burden from waste management. As part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, 100% of the funding allocated in EPA’s SWIFR Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia and 74% of the funding allocated in the REO Grants will benefit underserved and overburdened communities. Increasing recycling is also an important way to reduce pollution, because natural resource extraction and processing make up half of all global greenhouse gas emissions that drive the climate crisis. Recycling reduces the need to extract resources such as timber, water, and minerals for new products.
Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia
The SWIFR Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia will enable tribes to make improvements to their recycling and waste management systems, meeting Congress’ goal to create a stronger, more resilient, and cost-effective U.S. municipal solid waste recycling system. EPA Region 7 has announced the selection of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in Mayetta, Kansas, to receive $414,736 through the program. The Tribe will use this funding to address operational challenges associated with aging solid waste and recycling infrastructure through equipment replacements. This objective will be achieved through the purchase of recycling infrastructure upgrades, such as a baler, recycling containers, a truck, a trailer, and metal-reinforced gates for material containment bins.
To learn more about the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia funding, please visit EPA’s Recycling Grants Selectees and Recipients page.
Recycling Education and Outreach Grants
The Recycling Education and Outreach Grant projects will help inform the public about local recycling and composting programs, and focus on increasing collection rates and decreasing contamination of recycling streams across the nation. EPA has announced two selectees to receive a combined $3,467,800 in REO Grants:
The City of Joplin, Missouri, has been selected to receive $1,740,000. The city will use these funds to support a three-year campaign focused on further expanding recycling awareness and encouraging behavioral changes through educational programs.
The City of Lincoln, Nebraska, has been selected to receive $1,727,800. The city will use these funds to form three focus groups to engage minorities, new Americans, and low-income individuals living in Lincoln’s 14 disadvantaged census tracts, which includes college students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, using evidence-based messaging to address barriers to recycling and food waste diversion and develop messages and outreach materials in a variety of methods and languages.
To learn more about the Recycling Education and Outreach funding, please visit EPA’s Recycling Grants Selectees and Recipients page.
America Recycles Day
Today marks the 29th annual America Recycles Day, which is also the second anniversary of both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and EPA’s National Recycling Strategy. The strategy was the first in a series of EPA strategies devoted to building a circular economy – one that reduces material use; redesigns materials, products, and services to be less resource-intensive; and recaptures “waste” as a resource to manufacture new materials and products.
To build upon the goals of the recycling strategy, EPA released the Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution for public comment in April 2023, which outlines steps to reduce pollution during production, improve management of plastic materials throughout product lifecycles, and encourage actions to keep plastics out of national waterways and the environment. Future strategies will address food waste and electronics. EPA also recently announced over $105 million for the selectees of the historic SWIFR grants for states and communities. These improvements will support a circular economy and help lower greenhouse gas emissions, as more efficient waste management systems are key to reducing energy consumption and the need for raw materials, while rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, powered by well-paying jobs that don’t require four-year degrees.
Visit EPA’s website to learn more ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. EPA offers many free online resources, including:
Model Recycling Program Toolkit
Composting Food Scraps in Your Community: A Social Marketing Toolkit
Wasted Food Scale: Updated Recommendations
Standardized Terms for Materials Accepted by Municipal Recycling Programs
Creating Messages that Drive Behavior Change
Recycling Infrastructure and Market Opportunities Map
Learn more about America Recycles Day.
# # #
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7
EPA Celebrates Two Years of Progress Under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) marks the second year of progress in implementing President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with the release of the second annual report detailing the agency’s investments to strengthen our infrastructure, make communities more resilient to climate change, and better protect human health and the environment. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is a key component of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, provides EPA with more than $60 billion over five years for a wide range of environmental programs, providing long overdue funding to America’s water infrastructure, environmental cleanups, and clean air protections, all while advancing environmental justice and combatting climate change in communities that need it most.
“Today marks two years since President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s future to create millions of jobs, modernize our infrastructure, combat climate change, and build equitable and resilient communities,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “I’ve been visiting communities across the country to see firsthand how these investments are delivering the resources and relief that so many have been waiting for, for far too long. There’s still much more work to be done in the fight for a cleaner and healthier future for all, but with unprecedented resources from the President’s Investing in America agenda, we are moving further and faster than ever before.”
The Two Year Anniversary Report highlights progress the agency has made in implementing infrastructure projects across the country, benefiting communities for decades to come. Additional information on where EPA’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds are going, including location-specific project descriptions can be found on the agency’s newly updated interactive map.
Highlights from EPA’s progress under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Over the last two years, EPA has provided over $11 billion to support water infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to states, territories, Tribes, and local communities. Every state and Puerto Rico has received State Revolving Fund (SRF) grants that provide communities with low-cost financing for a wide range of water infrastructure projects from drinking water to sewage systems to lead pipe replacement.
$7.7 billion have been awarded for drinking water; funding 350 projects.
$3.4 billion have been awarded for clean water; funding 155 projects.
The Biden-Harris Administration has made accelerating the removal of lead service lines a top priority, with a goal of replacing 100% of lead service lines. In April, the agency announced the availability of more than $6.5 billion in funding to find and replace lead pipes in states, territories, and Tribal communities. The funding that has been awarded so far will help replace hundreds of thousands of lead service lines.
EPA’s Clean School Bus Program has already awarded nearly $1 billion and funded approximately 2,400 electrified and low emissions school buses that are beginning to hit our roads, further improving air quality in and around schools, reducing greenhouse gas pollution that is fueling the climate crisis, and helping to accelerate America’s leadership in developing and deploying clean vehicles of the future.
EPA has obligated funding to clean up legacy pollution for 152 Superfund sites.
Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA has announced funding to clear the backlog of Superfund sites on the National Priority List.
In FY 2023, 76% of Superfund funding was obligated for sites with potential for environmental justice concerns.
EPA awarded approximately $410 million to clean up legacy pollution through Brownfields Assessment, Cleanup, Revolving Loan Fund, Job Training, and Technical Assistance Grants, and $114 million in state and Tribal response program grants.
As of October 1, 2023, 167 brownfield properties have been assessed, and 36 sites have been made ready for anticipated use with Bipartisan Infrastructure Law resources.
In September 2023, EPA selected 25 communities to receive grants totaling more than $73 million under the newly created Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling funding opportunity.
In addition, EPA made available approximately $32 million for states and territories to improve solid waste management planning, data collection and implementation of plans. These grants mark the largest recycling investment in 30 years under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. They also account for approximately 81% of the funding going to disadvantaged communities, far surpassing the Justice40 Initiative goal of 40%.
These and other Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding highlights from the last two years, as well as expected results for future investments, can be found in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Two Year Anniversary Report (pdf).
Additional Background:
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides EPA with over $60 billion for a wide range of programs to be made available over five fiscal years from FY 2022 through 2026. Of the $60 billion investment:
More than $50 billion is for clean water and drinking water projects, along with other water protection programs, the single largest Federal investment in clean water ever made. With these funds, EPA will make progress on President Biden’s pledge to replace 100% of the approximately 9.2 million lead service lines still in the ground across the country, address the threat of PFAS pollution facing communities, and broaden efforts to protect critical water bodies that are important to communities and the economy.
$5 billion is for decarbonizing the nation’s school bus fleet, improving air quality for more than 25 million children who ride the bus to school each day, and their surrounding communities.
More than $5 billion is for cleaning up longstanding pollution at Superfund and brownfields sites, and for improving waste management and recycling systems managed under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) to restore the economic vitality of communities that have been exposed to pollution for far too long. Additionally, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law reinstated and modified the Superfund chemical excise taxes. Funds collected through this tax will be available for EPA to use during the fiscal year after they are collected. The Department of Treasury collected approximately $160 million last year that EPA has started to use to advance work, as authorized by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund). Tax collections for 2023 will be final at the conclusion of the tax year. These funds are in addition to the $3.5 billion appropriated for Superfund cleanups in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
$100 million is for the Pollution Prevention Program to increase access to safer and more sustainable products and services. A new grant opportunity will focus on delivering environmental justice by leveraging Safer Choice and Environmentally Preferable Purchasing as tools to increase assistance to businesses serving the needs of institutions and consumers in disadvantaged communities.
Visit EPA's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law page for more information.
“Today marks two years since President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s future to create millions of jobs, modernize our infrastructure, combat climate change, and build equitable and resilient communities,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “I’ve been visiting communities across the country to see firsthand how these investments are delivering the resources and relief that so many have been waiting for, for far too long. There’s still much more work to be done in the fight for a cleaner and healthier future for all, but with unprecedented resources from the President’s Investing in America agenda, we are moving further and faster than ever before.”
The Two Year Anniversary Report highlights progress the agency has made in implementing infrastructure projects across the country, benefiting communities for decades to come. Additional information on where EPA’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds are going, including location-specific project descriptions can be found on the agency’s newly updated interactive map.
Highlights from EPA’s progress under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Over the last two years, EPA has provided over $11 billion to support water infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to states, territories, Tribes, and local communities. Every state and Puerto Rico has received State Revolving Fund (SRF) grants that provide communities with low-cost financing for a wide range of water infrastructure projects from drinking water to sewage systems to lead pipe replacement.
$7.7 billion have been awarded for drinking water; funding 350 projects.
$3.4 billion have been awarded for clean water; funding 155 projects.
The Biden-Harris Administration has made accelerating the removal of lead service lines a top priority, with a goal of replacing 100% of lead service lines. In April, the agency announced the availability of more than $6.5 billion in funding to find and replace lead pipes in states, territories, and Tribal communities. The funding that has been awarded so far will help replace hundreds of thousands of lead service lines.
EPA’s Clean School Bus Program has already awarded nearly $1 billion and funded approximately 2,400 electrified and low emissions school buses that are beginning to hit our roads, further improving air quality in and around schools, reducing greenhouse gas pollution that is fueling the climate crisis, and helping to accelerate America’s leadership in developing and deploying clean vehicles of the future.
EPA has obligated funding to clean up legacy pollution for 152 Superfund sites.
Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA has announced funding to clear the backlog of Superfund sites on the National Priority List.
In FY 2023, 76% of Superfund funding was obligated for sites with potential for environmental justice concerns.
EPA awarded approximately $410 million to clean up legacy pollution through Brownfields Assessment, Cleanup, Revolving Loan Fund, Job Training, and Technical Assistance Grants, and $114 million in state and Tribal response program grants.
As of October 1, 2023, 167 brownfield properties have been assessed, and 36 sites have been made ready for anticipated use with Bipartisan Infrastructure Law resources.
In September 2023, EPA selected 25 communities to receive grants totaling more than $73 million under the newly created Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling funding opportunity.
In addition, EPA made available approximately $32 million for states and territories to improve solid waste management planning, data collection and implementation of plans. These grants mark the largest recycling investment in 30 years under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. They also account for approximately 81% of the funding going to disadvantaged communities, far surpassing the Justice40 Initiative goal of 40%.
These and other Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding highlights from the last two years, as well as expected results for future investments, can be found in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Two Year Anniversary Report (pdf).
Additional Background:
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides EPA with over $60 billion for a wide range of programs to be made available over five fiscal years from FY 2022 through 2026. Of the $60 billion investment:
More than $50 billion is for clean water and drinking water projects, along with other water protection programs, the single largest Federal investment in clean water ever made. With these funds, EPA will make progress on President Biden’s pledge to replace 100% of the approximately 9.2 million lead service lines still in the ground across the country, address the threat of PFAS pollution facing communities, and broaden efforts to protect critical water bodies that are important to communities and the economy.
$5 billion is for decarbonizing the nation’s school bus fleet, improving air quality for more than 25 million children who ride the bus to school each day, and their surrounding communities.
More than $5 billion is for cleaning up longstanding pollution at Superfund and brownfields sites, and for improving waste management and recycling systems managed under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) to restore the economic vitality of communities that have been exposed to pollution for far too long. Additionally, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law reinstated and modified the Superfund chemical excise taxes. Funds collected through this tax will be available for EPA to use during the fiscal year after they are collected. The Department of Treasury collected approximately $160 million last year that EPA has started to use to advance work, as authorized by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund). Tax collections for 2023 will be final at the conclusion of the tax year. These funds are in addition to the $3.5 billion appropriated for Superfund cleanups in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
$100 million is for the Pollution Prevention Program to increase access to safer and more sustainable products and services. A new grant opportunity will focus on delivering environmental justice by leveraging Safer Choice and Environmentally Preferable Purchasing as tools to increase assistance to businesses serving the needs of institutions and consumers in disadvantaged communities.
Visit EPA's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law page for more information.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces More than $4.9 Million in Recycling Education and Outreach Funding in EPA’s Mid-Atlantic region as Part of America Recycles Day
Biden-Harris Administration Announces More than $4.9 Million in Recycling Education and Outreach Funding in EPA’s Mid-Atlantic region as Part of America Recycles Day
On America Recycles Day and Anniversary of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA announces grants funded in part by the largest recycling investment in 30 years
Contact: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)
WASHINGTON (Nov. 15, 2023) – Today, in conjunction with America Recycles Day, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced 25 selectees nationwide to receive over $33 million in Recycling Education and Outreach (REO) grants, nearly $5 million of which is slated for the Mid-Atlantic region. These grants, which are part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, a key pillar of Bidenomics, will expand recycling education and outreach for waste management systems across the region.
“Today, on America Recycles Day, we are putting historic recycling investments into communities, made possible by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Two years ago today, the President signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and with it, unleashed unprecedented funding to enable Tribes and communities to update recycling and composting infrastructure, while also advancing education programs to increase recycling rates and reduce waste.”
“These recycling education and outreach grants allow us to meet people where they are – they provide funding to create educational materials and find ways to make recycling easier,” said EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “There’s no one size fits all solution and these grants allow local leaders to custom tailor solutions.”
These recycling grants will help tackle consumer confusion and outdated recycling infrastructure, the largest barriers to proper recycling. Thanks to President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was signed two years ago today, EPA was provided the largest recycling investment in 30 years that is funding this program.
These grants reflect the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to tackling environmental justice and the climate crisis. Many communities with environmental justice concerns carry a disproportionate environmental and human health burden from waste management. As part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, 74% of the funding allocated in the REO grants will benefit underserved and overburdened communities. Increasing recycling is also an important way to reduce pollution because natural resource extraction and processing make up half of all global greenhouse gas emissions that drive the climate crisis. Recycling reduces the need to extract resources such as timber, water, and minerals for new products.
The Recycling Education and Outreach grant projects will help inform the public about local recycling and composting programs and focus on increasing collection rates while decreasing contamination of recycling streams across the nation. EPA has announced 4 selectees in the Mid-Atlantic region selectees to receive $4,930,047 in Recycling Education and Outreach grants. They include:
Delaware Valley Citizens Council for Clean Air has been selected to receive $371,516. The goal of this proposal is to build and support composting systems at the backyard and neighborhood levels in Braddock, Clairton, and Swissvale, Pennsylvania. The Council will co-develop educational workshops, literature, and social media with community members, provide supplies and logistical support, and create a network that will develop and manage composting systems tailored to community needs.
Hampton Roads Planning District Commission has been selected to receive $1,965,525. Representing seventeen local governments in Virginia, this campaign will take a comprehensive approach to improve recycling across multiple jurisdictions by employing techniques such as community engagement, research, targeted route-level audits, direct mailings, and web-based education materials.
World Wildlife Fund has been selected to receive $1,164,792. This school-based project is located in four cities across Georgia, Maryland, and Tennessee to promote food waste reductions and recycling.
Institute for Local Self-Reliance has been selected to receive $1,428,214 for a national composting campaign which aims to catalyze implementation and growth of community composting around the county.
To learn more about the Recycling Education and Outreach funding, please visit: EPA’s Recipients and Selectees webpage.
America Recycles Day
Today marks both the 29th America Recycles Day, the second anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the second anniversary of EPA’s National Recycling Strategy. The National Recycling Strategy was the first in a series of EPA strategies devoted to building a circular economy – one that reduces material use, redesigns materials, products, and services to be less resource intensive, and recaptures “waste” as a resource to manufacture new materials and products.
To build upon the goals of the recycling strategy, EPA released the Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution for public comment in April. The Draft Strategy outlines steps to reduce pollution during production, improve management of plastic materials throughout product lifecycles, and encourage actions to keep plastics out of national waterways and the environment. Future strategies will address food waste and electronics.
Visit EPA’s website to learn more ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
EPA offers many free, online resources, including:
Model Recycling Toolkit.
Composting Food Scraps in Your Community: A Social Marketing Toolkit.
Wasted Food Scale: Updated Recommendations.
Standardized Terms for Materials Accepted by Municipal Recycling Programs.
Creating Messages that Drive Behavior Change.
Recycling Infrastructure and Market Opportunities Map.
Learn more about America Recycles Day.
###
On America Recycles Day and Anniversary of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA announces grants funded in part by the largest recycling investment in 30 years
Contact: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)
WASHINGTON (Nov. 15, 2023) – Today, in conjunction with America Recycles Day, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced 25 selectees nationwide to receive over $33 million in Recycling Education and Outreach (REO) grants, nearly $5 million of which is slated for the Mid-Atlantic region. These grants, which are part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, a key pillar of Bidenomics, will expand recycling education and outreach for waste management systems across the region.
“Today, on America Recycles Day, we are putting historic recycling investments into communities, made possible by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Two years ago today, the President signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and with it, unleashed unprecedented funding to enable Tribes and communities to update recycling and composting infrastructure, while also advancing education programs to increase recycling rates and reduce waste.”
“These recycling education and outreach grants allow us to meet people where they are – they provide funding to create educational materials and find ways to make recycling easier,” said EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “There’s no one size fits all solution and these grants allow local leaders to custom tailor solutions.”
These recycling grants will help tackle consumer confusion and outdated recycling infrastructure, the largest barriers to proper recycling. Thanks to President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was signed two years ago today, EPA was provided the largest recycling investment in 30 years that is funding this program.
These grants reflect the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to tackling environmental justice and the climate crisis. Many communities with environmental justice concerns carry a disproportionate environmental and human health burden from waste management. As part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, 74% of the funding allocated in the REO grants will benefit underserved and overburdened communities. Increasing recycling is also an important way to reduce pollution because natural resource extraction and processing make up half of all global greenhouse gas emissions that drive the climate crisis. Recycling reduces the need to extract resources such as timber, water, and minerals for new products.
The Recycling Education and Outreach grant projects will help inform the public about local recycling and composting programs and focus on increasing collection rates while decreasing contamination of recycling streams across the nation. EPA has announced 4 selectees in the Mid-Atlantic region selectees to receive $4,930,047 in Recycling Education and Outreach grants. They include:
Delaware Valley Citizens Council for Clean Air has been selected to receive $371,516. The goal of this proposal is to build and support composting systems at the backyard and neighborhood levels in Braddock, Clairton, and Swissvale, Pennsylvania. The Council will co-develop educational workshops, literature, and social media with community members, provide supplies and logistical support, and create a network that will develop and manage composting systems tailored to community needs.
Hampton Roads Planning District Commission has been selected to receive $1,965,525. Representing seventeen local governments in Virginia, this campaign will take a comprehensive approach to improve recycling across multiple jurisdictions by employing techniques such as community engagement, research, targeted route-level audits, direct mailings, and web-based education materials.
World Wildlife Fund has been selected to receive $1,164,792. This school-based project is located in four cities across Georgia, Maryland, and Tennessee to promote food waste reductions and recycling.
Institute for Local Self-Reliance has been selected to receive $1,428,214 for a national composting campaign which aims to catalyze implementation and growth of community composting around the county.
To learn more about the Recycling Education and Outreach funding, please visit: EPA’s Recipients and Selectees webpage.
America Recycles Day
Today marks both the 29th America Recycles Day, the second anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the second anniversary of EPA’s National Recycling Strategy. The National Recycling Strategy was the first in a series of EPA strategies devoted to building a circular economy – one that reduces material use, redesigns materials, products, and services to be less resource intensive, and recaptures “waste” as a resource to manufacture new materials and products.
To build upon the goals of the recycling strategy, EPA released the Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution for public comment in April. The Draft Strategy outlines steps to reduce pollution during production, improve management of plastic materials throughout product lifecycles, and encourage actions to keep plastics out of national waterways and the environment. Future strategies will address food waste and electronics.
Visit EPA’s website to learn more ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
EPA offers many free, online resources, including:
Model Recycling Toolkit.
Composting Food Scraps in Your Community: A Social Marketing Toolkit.
Wasted Food Scale: Updated Recommendations.
Standardized Terms for Materials Accepted by Municipal Recycling Programs.
Creating Messages that Drive Behavior Change.
Recycling Infrastructure and Market Opportunities Map.
Learn more about America Recycles Day.
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