Northern Shenandoah region awarded $3.9M for recycling infrastructure

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission (NSVRC), Front Royal, Virginia, a $3.9 million Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant for new and expanded recycling infrastructure.  

The grant will help reestablish curbside recycling, upgrade tire grinding operations and purchase upgraded recycling receptacles. EPA says these advancements will have an impact on the region, particularly in rural underserved communities lacking easy access to recycling services.

“The Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda is tackling environmental challenges across our nation, and this is another historic investment to address waste management issues in our local communities,” EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz says. “We’re proud to deliver these critical resources provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support recycling initiatives and environmental stewardship to build a more resilient, sustainable and cleaner future for the Northern Shenandoah Valley.”

NSVRC was one of 25 community organizations selected for the SWIFR grant.

This grant will support NSVRC’s plans to update recycling services to include approximately 10,000 curbside recycling containers and 63 recycling containers at convenience centers, landfills and other sites. The grant will also work to divert more than 750 tons of tires from landfills.

“We are honored to receive nearly $4 million in competitive funding from the EPA to enhance recycling infrastructure in the Northern Shenandoah Valley,” says Dennis Morris, Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission chairman. “This award will be instrumental in upgrading our recycling facilities, meeting the goals of our solid waste management plan and fostering sustainable waste management practices through collaborative efforts.”

The EPA announced more than $100 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda in September 2023 to expand recycling infrastructure and waste management systems across the country.