Biden-Harris Administration Announces Almost $8 Million for Tribal Recycling Infrastructure Projects in the Pacific Southwest
On America Recycles Day and Anniversary of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA announces grants funded in part by the largest recycling investment in 30 years
SAN FRANCISCO – Today, in conjunction with America Recycles Day, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing nine selectees across the nation’s Pacific Southwest region to receive a total of $7,915,660 in Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia. These grants, which are part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will expand recycling infrastructure and education for Tribal waste management systems across the region.
“These grants, made possible by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will enable Tribes across the Pacific Southwest to increase recycling rates in their communities through improved infrastructure, in-person engagement and education,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “Recycling, reducing waste and composting are ways everyone can protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
EPA’s nine selectees are:
Cher Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria ($950,679) in California will construct a zero waste facility, purchase equipment, hire and train staff, and install and service compost and recycling bins throughout the community. The Trinidad Rancheria zero waste facility will process the Tribe’s food waste, green waste, paper waste, fish waste from sport and charter fishers, serve as a transfer station for sorting and backhauling common recyclables, and provide an example for the development of circular economies for tribes and rural communities.
“The Trinidad Rancheria is pleased to receive funding through EPA Solid Waste Infrastructure for recycling. This funding will enable the Tribe to develop a Zero Waste Facility to serve our tribal government, tribal community, and economic development enterprises. This facility will also serve as an example for future development of circular economies through sustainable materials management for rural communities and tribes,” said Garth Sundberg, Tribal Chairman, Trinidad Rancheria.
Gila River Indian Community ($1,276,606) in Arizona will evaluate its current waste stream for contamination issues and opportunities to create baseline data to track recycling progress and build physical and programmatic capacity to address recycling needs. The purchase of recycling bins and two automated side loader recycling trucks to expand curbside recycling collection, along with community education will increase recycling rates by conducting education for the population of 12,000 residents to maximize community participation and reduce contamination of the recycling stream.
Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel ($1,500,000) in California will build and staff a small-scale sorting and transfer station and implement an outreach campaign to manage post-consumer materials and divert waste from landfills. The project will consist of an education and outreach phase, a construction phase, and an operations and data collection phase, all phases including consistent reporting. The sorting station will divert waste from landfills by recovering, reusing, recycling, repairing, and refurbishing appropriate materials and ultimately assist in creating a circular economy by developing a business model that allows postconsumer products to maintain their highest value for as long as possible.
“A Sorting and Transfer station will assist the Nation in protecting the environment and creating a circular economy for historically underserved communities” said Kevin Osuna, Chairman of the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel. “By developing a waste management model that allows post-consumer products to maintain their highest value for as long as possible, we are strengthening our commitment in protecting the environment and providing for the next seven generations.”
Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians ($173,750) in California will procure infrastructure to allow the Tribe to implement its integrated waste management plan to improve collection and materials management infrastructure, increase the reuse of used and discarded materials, reduce contamination in the waste and recycle streams, and identify markets for recyclables.
Pechanga Band of Indians ($1,065,473) in California will establish a curbside recycling program for the tribal community on Pechanga Reservation, design and build infrastructure to support a materials recovery facility for the tribal community and increase diversion of recyclable and compostable materials and household hazardous waste. Funding will be used for equipment and infrastructure, including a designated facility for household hazardous waste, as well as staff time.
Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians ($1,500,000) in California will expand materials management infrastructure at the Rincon transfer station to facilitate greater reuse, recycling, composting, collection, and storage of recyclable and organic materials on the Rincon Reservation. The project includes asphalt paving; installation of a filtered drainage system; purchasing equipment including a tub grinder and a recycling station for plastic bottles, cans, cardboard, and glass; and roofing and secondary containment for tires, composting, hazardous waste, and e-waste collection areas for added safety.
“We are excited to upgrade our solid waste and recycling infrastructure program on our tribal reservation,” said Chairman Bo Mazzetti of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians. “Our goal is to keep our tribal lands clean and green for our future generations while educating our people on the importance of recycling and the many environmental and economic benefits that can be achieved. Together we can create positive change.”
Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians ($406,837) in California will improve solid waste management planning and infrastructure, maximize diversion rates and community participation, and improve zero waste education. The project will develop a tribally approved Integrated Waste Management Plan to serve the community, develop educational programming and an enforceable regulatory framework to enhance residential participation.
Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians ($653,120) in California will enhance their recycling program to increase recycling self-reliance capacity within the reservation by purchasing improved recycling infrastructure and supplies that will create an updated recycling center on the reservation. The Tribe’s Environmental Department plans to recycle all recyclable materials, produced both on and off the reservation, including from the administrative buildings, Tribal membership housing, economic development properties, and the clinic.
“This funding will allow us to build a recycling center to maximize the volume of recyclable materials and organics removed from the waste stream on Tribal land,” said Chairwoman Regina Cuellar of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. “We look forward to working with the Tribal community to create a more sustainable future.”
Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation ($389,194) in Nevada will improve recycling practices for the Tribe by fully staffing their recycling program, purchasing needed recycling equipment including a baler, and improving their education and outreach program. This project aims to expand materials management infrastructure and reduce waste.
"The Shoshone Paiute Tribes are thrilled to announce the successful acquisition of a Solid Waste Infrastructure/Recycling grant from the EPA. This momentous achievement underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship, as we eagerly embark on initiatives to diminish the carbon footprint within our community and foster sustainability," said Marissa Snapp, Tribal Environmental Director, Shoshone Paiute Tribes.
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 management. As part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, 100% of the funding allocated in EPA’s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling for Tribes 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 Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling 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.
To learn more about the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia funding, please visit: EPA’s Recipients and Selectees webpage.
America Recycles Day
Today marks both 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, 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.
Learn more about America Recycles Day.
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