Don't Miss Out on SWIFR Grant Funding!
By: Emily Tucker, Content Committee Chair for the Sustainable Materials Management Technical Division
On September 16, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced two new funding opportunities to advance recycling infrastructure throughout the country.1 This funding, which is made available through the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grant Program under the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will be used to “improve post-consumer materials management and infrastructure, support improvements to local post-consumer materials management and recycling programs, and assist local authorities in making improvements to their waste management systems.”2
One of the SWIFR Grant Program funding opportunities will provide approximately $58 million total in awards ranging from $500,000 to $5 million each for Communities. The other will provide approximately $20 million total in awards ranging from $100,000 to $1.5 million each for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia. To see eligibility requirements, please refer to the EPA’s SWIFR Grant Program website here.
During the last round of SWIFR Grant Funding, the EPA announced the selectees for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia on November 15, 2023, as well as the selectees for Communities and the recipients of the recycling grants for States and Territories on September 13, 2023. Selected recipient entities included 25 Communities, 56 States and Territories, and 58 Tribes and Intertribal Consortia. Some of the recipients and associated projects previously selected are highlighted below.
(Map Source: Recycling Grant Selectees and Recipients | US EPA)
SWIFR Recycling Grants for Communities
- City of Ontario, CN (EPA Region 9): SWANA Sustainable Materials Management Technical Division (SMMTD) member, City of Ontario, was selected to receive $3,571,064 to establish new recycling collection routes and optimize materials management infrastructure through the purchasing of recycling equipment such as electric trucks, electric vehicle charging stations, bins and carts, a power steam wash machine, and software to enhance zero waste strategies. The project will also create a digital food donation marketplace for businesses and nearby nonprofits and expand source separation of organic food waste and mixed recyclables by distributing carts and bins to residents and businesses in the city. The proposed project facilitates the city’s compliance with California Senate Bill 1383.3
- Nassau County, FL (EPA Region 4): SWANA SMMTD member, Nassau County, was selected to receive $500,000 to optimize the intake stream and outflow process at its Convenience Recycling Center in Callahan and its Recycling Collection Site in Yulee. The county will also redesign containers for correct materials placement and will implement a multifaceted public education campaign to increase awareness about available recycling facilities. This project will increase capacity at the facility while reducing container overflow and minimizing incorrect disposal.4
SWIFR Recycling Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia
- Muscogee (Creek) Nation (Okmulgee, OK; EPA Region 6): SWANA SMMTD member, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, was selected to receive $906,621 to expand their Solid Waste Post-Consumer Materials Management Program, hire an additional employee and purchase new solid waste transportation equipment. This will include procuring trucks, a compactor, containers for sorting and recycling, and recycling stations. Through these activities, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation will improve markets for recycled commodities, reduce waste stream contamination, and advance programs that expand circularity.5
- Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (Akwesasne, NY; EPA Region 2): The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe was selected to receive $1,500,000 to build an energy-efficient cardboard processing facility and a food waste composting facility, purchase electric vehicles and handling equipment, upgrade an electrical system by replacing a diesel generator electrical supply with a three-phase electrical grid connection, and build community engagement to support composting. Slated activities include design and construction for the expansion of a cardboard processing facility, the development of food waste collection and composting systems, and updating the Tribe’s Solid Waste Management Plan to reflect new infrastructure. These activities will result in enhanced infrastructure, improved operational safety and expanded recycling opportunities.6
SWIFR Recycling Grants for States and Territories
- North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) (Located in Raleigh, NC; EPA Region 4): SWANA SMMTD member, was selected to conduct a statewide materials management optimization study.
“North Carolina looks forward to putting state SWIFR funding to work launching a statewide recycling education campaign and conducting a materials management optimization study which will identify opportunities for landfill diversion and recommend infrastructure investments to advance the circular economy,” shared Wendy Worley, Deputy Director Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service, NC DEQ.
The study will include a waste characterization study, a market assessment for key commodities (e.g., plastic and food waste), a gap analysis of statewide Materials Recovery Facility capacity and effectiveness, a recycling hub and spoke infrastructure assessment, and other components as appropriate. The materials management campaigns will focus on advancing Recycle Right NC and Use the Food NC through various outlets including radio, television, billboards, advertisements and print media. North Carolina will also conduct coordinated statewide messaging to increase recycling, decrease contamination in the recycling stream, and reduce the amount of wasted food. Finally, North Carolina will provide grant funding to local governments to identify best practices to improve their post-consumer materials management programs through education and outreach. This project will aim to achieve improved public awareness of actions that reduce landfill disposal and support a circular economy.7
- Washington State Department of Ecology (Olympia, WA; EPA Region 10): SWANA SMMTD member, the Washington State Department of Ecology, was selected to develop and implement a circular economy accelerator program to support projects for waste prevention, reuse, repair, recycling, and organics. The accelerator program includes six months of training and will feature a series of workshops on business and technical planning support, networking opportunities, and pitch development. This program will culminate in a pitch competition showcasing accelerator projects in front of potential partners and investors. The statewide market development platform’s objective is to provide innovative business and community projects with technical assistance, mentoring, networking, and aid in preparing pitches for funding. The circular economy accelerator program will include outreach and communication efforts to reach businesses and underserved communities.8
This year’s SWIFR Grant Application packages for Communities must be submitted electronically to the EPA through Grants.gov (www.grants.gov) no later than December 20, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. (ET) in order to be considered for funding.9
The SWIFR Grant Application packages for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia must be submitted electronically to the EPA through Grants.gov (www.grants.gov) no later than March 14, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (ET) to be considered for funding.10
The EPA anticipates announcing a SWIFR funding opportunity for States and Territories next year.
2Recycling Grant Selectees and Recipients | US EPA
10Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grant Program