EPA Awards $1.5 Million Grant to Keweenaw Bay Indian Community for Recycling Infrastructure
Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $1.5 million grant to Keweenaw Bay Indian Community as part of the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) program for Tribes.
“These grants further energize our American economy by improving recycling, cutting disposal costs, reducing waste in landfills and extending landfill life, and creating good paying local jobs,” said Acting Assistant Administrator for Land and Emergency Management Thomas Croci. “By improving tribal recycling infrastructure EPA supports the recovery of domestic sources of raw materials, local economies and provides tangible health benefits to communities across Indian Country.”
“Tribal nations are leading with practical, community-first recycling solutions,” said EPA Regional Administrator Anne Vogel. “This SWIFR investment will help the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community expand convenient recycling and composting—keeping hazardous materials out of landfills and waterways, cutting pollution, and delivering reliable services that residents can count on.”
The goal of the SWIFR grants is to improve local waste management systems, meeting Congress’ goal to create a stronger, more resilient, and cost-effective U.S. municipal solid waste recycling system. Keweenaw Bay Indian community will use the grant to rehabilitate the solid waste facility to create a separate recycling facility along with a fish composting program. The project will divert approximately 49,000 pounds of fish compost annually and almost 4,000 tons of waste.
By sponsoring a more efficient and robust solid waste management system in Tribal communities, these grants reduce the burden on landfill capacity, increase valuable materials for end-markets, establish collection services and composting programs, create new jobs, and improve quality of life.
Navigate to our webpage to learn more about the SWIFR Tribal grant program.