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

On America Recycles Day, EPA announces grants under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, funded in part by the largest recycling investment in 30 years

November 15, 2023

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These recycling grants will help tackle consumer confusion and outdated recycling infrastructure, the largest barriers to proper recycling.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.