Associations provide comments to EPA on recycling, solid waste projects related to infrastructure law

The Environmental Protection Agency published two notices June 9 in the Federal Register seeking comments related to the programs it is developing and implementing as directed by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

One of the two actions provides the opportunity to share information to inform the development of the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant program, which EPA says “will fund improvements to local postconsumer materials management, including municipal recycling programs, and assist local waste management authorities in making improvements to local waste management systems.

The SWIFR grant program will provide $275 million to improve postconsumer materials management and infrastructure, while the Education and Outreach Grant Program provides $75 million for programs to inform the public about waste prevention and recycling to increase collection rates and decrease contamination.

According to the Recycling Education and Outreach; Grant Program and Model Recycling Program Toolkit notice, “The education and outreach grants will fund programs to improve the effectiveness of residential and community recycling programs, including those that tackle waste prevention, through public education and outreach. The Model Recycling Program Toolkit is for state, local and tribal governments to use in carrying out their programs.”

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), Silver Spring, Maryland, says it has provided comments to the EPA on funding for solid waste prevention, management and recycling initiatives. The association says it has urged the EPA to create a grant application process that will be equitable to communities of all sizes and to allow grant funding to go the widest possible categories of infrastructure, education and outreach programs and projects.

“SWANA is very pleased to provide these comments to EPA on the recycling grant programs,” says David Biderman, SWANA executive director and CEO. “We expect EPA to swiftly review comments and launch the grant process in the Fall of 2022. There is no time to waste.”

The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), Arlington, Virginia, says it has submitted comments to the EPA related to its Recycling Education and Outreach Grant Program and Model Recycling Program Toolkit notice.

“NWRA and its member companies support EPA’s efforts to develop a Model Recycling Program Toolkit aimed at strengthening recycling efforts nationwide,” NWRA President and CEO Darrell Smith says. “We appreciate this opportunity to share our industry’s perspective and offer best practices to help develop a robust toolkit.”

In its comments, NWRA says it provided guidance on standard terminology, recommended identifying items that cannot be recycled as well as those that can and suggested that communications efforts should be measured for effectiveness.

NWRA adds that it believes that the best messaging needs to be repeated and reinforced and that the EPA should focus on how to provide messaging over the long term.