Biden-Harris Administration Invests $511,502 in Michigan Recycling Infrastructure Projects Through Investing in America Agenda
EPA grants funded in part by largest recycling investment in 30 years under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
CHICAGO (Sept. 13, 2023) –- Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $511,502 from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to expand recycling infrastructure and waste management systems across Michigan by improving solid waste management planning, data collection and implementation of plans. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this investment is a part of EPA’s largest recycling investment in 30 years.
The grants support the implementation of EPA’s National Recycling Strategy to build an economy devoted to keeping materials, products and services in circulation for as long as possible –what’s known as a “circular economy.”
“President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda tackles our most pressing environmental challenges including climate change and lead in drinking water, and today we add another historic investment to better manage waste in communities across America,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “By investing in better recycling, EPA is deploying resources to provide recycling services across the country, including in disadvantaged communities, while preventing waste that contributes to the climate crisis, supporting local economies and creating good-paying jobs.”
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda provides historic levels of funding for programs to tackle climate change and advance environmental justice,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “The Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling program will support states throughout the Great Lakes region as they help our communities more sustainably manage waste.”
“Michigan continues to win competitive grants and investments to help us grow our economy and lead the future of advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and environmental protection,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “I am proud that we have secured a piece of the largest federal investment in recycling in 30 years as we make, recycle, and reuse more things right here in America. Let’s keep working together to lower the cost of doing business, protect our air, land, and water, and bring more investments home to Michigan.”
“This is a historic investment in recycling infrastructure, which was made available through the bipartisan infrastructure law I helped pass,” said Sen. Gary Peters. “It will help Michigan implement new strategies to reduce pollution and make improvements to local recycling and waste management systems.”
“The Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling program funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is important to help state, local, and tribal governments implement systems to improve recycling for post-consumer materials and other avenues to reduce waste,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell. “This investment will help Michigan advance the national recycling goal and keep solid waste out of our landfills and out of our environment.”
"A funding amount of $511,502 from the EPA is more than a grant; it's a down payment on a sustainable, equitable future for Michigan,” said Rep. Shri Thanedar. “It shows the power of partnership between the state and federal government."
“After passing materials management landmark legislation last year, Michigan is moving into a new era of waste management by focusing on waste reduction, pollution prevention and recycling and moving away from landfill-focused disposal solutions,” said Liz Browne, director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy's Materials Management Division. “This federal support will help us work with our partners and communities across throughout the state to drive the implementation of this new legislation. Sound material management is critical to protecting our natural resources and building a sustainable, circular economy.”
President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda is growing the American economy from the bottom up and middle-out – from rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, to driving over $470 billion in private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments in the United States, to creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, to building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient.
EPA’s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program is also advancing President's Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution. Approximately $56 million out of the $73 million – or 76% - of the total funding for communities will go toward projects that benefit disadvantaged communities.
Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for States and Territories
The recycling grants for states and territories will provide funding to all 56 states, territories, and the District of Columbia via grants ranging from $360,000 to $750,000; with the highest grant amounts supporting those states and territories that need it the most. Michigan will complete education and outreach efforts to transition from a focus on disposal capacity to a focus on sustainable materials management. These efforts will include developing and providing guidance materials, training presentations, and hosting collaborative regional meetings focused on this policy shift and requirements for materials management planning.
These grants represent important steps toward achieving the EPA’s National Recycling Goal and Food Loss and Waste Reduction Goal. Funded activities include improving post-consumer materials management programs through developing or updating solid waste management plans and strengthening data collection efforts.
Additional Background
Today’s announcement for states, territories, and communities is the first round of funding from this new grant program. In the coming months, EPA will announce the selected recipients of the recycling grants for Tribes and intertribal consortia, as well as the recipients of EPA’s new Recycling Education and Outreach grant program.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $275 million total from fiscal year 2022 to fiscal year 2026 for grants authorized under the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act - the largest investment in recycling in 30 years. The recycling grants are supplemented with additional funding provided through EPA’s annual appropriations. EPA has selected these entities to receive funding for recycling infrastructure projects and anticipates making all the awards announced today once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.
For details about the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program selectees and other Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-related funding opportunities, visit the EPA recycling grants webpage.