EPA announces $58 million available for Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grants
Author
Charlotte Mitchell Duyshart
Rachel Yeung
Upcoming Events
Related News
Key Takeaways
On September 16, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $58 million in available funding under the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant program. The SWIFR program supports projects that enhance local government infrastructure for managing post-consumer materials.
What is the SWIFR program?
The SWIFR program offers grant funding to improve local infrastructure for waste and recycling management. SWIFR funds can be used to build or update solid waste infrastructure, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and create cleaner, more resilient communities. The program was authorized in the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (P.L. 116-224) and funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, (P.L. 117-58).
Counties play a vital role in managing municipal solid waste (MSW) with growing demands to reduce landfill use, promote recycling, and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Counties can use SWIFR grants toward a wide range of high-impact projects to increase recycling, reduce contamination, and promote a circular economy for materials by investing in solid waste management infrastructure.
County project examples
Counties have already benefited from the SWIFR program:
Chaffee County, Colo.: The county received $3.9 million in SWIFR funding to design and construct a regional recyclable transfer station and a materials recovery facility to improve affordability for residents.
Durham County, N.C.: The county-owned Redwood Convenience Site was renovated and re-designed to collect MSW, yard waste, furniture, recyclables, and other products to reduce contamination in a historically disadvantaged neighborhood. The program awarded this project $3.3 million.
Chemung County, N.Y.: To meet the growing demand, the county plans to use $1.7 million in SWIFR funding to build a new composting facility on the site of a decommissioned wastewater treatment plant, transforming a blighted area and improving compost accessibility for the community.
How can counties apply?
Currently, $58 million is available for counties through the SWIFR program. EPA plans to make 20 to 30 awards, ranging from $500,000 to $5 million per award.
Counties can apply for SWIFR grants through December 20, 2024. Counties may also submit an informal Notice of Intent to Apply to the EPA by November 15, 2024, to streamline the process.
For more information on applying, visit the EPA's SWIFR for Communities Program page or grants.gov.
Resource
Legislative Analysis for Counties: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Related News
The EPA announces $2.9 billion for states to support lead pipe replacement
On May 20, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the EPA) announced $2.9 billion in funding to help states support lead service line replacement. The funding will be distributed through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and can be used by communities to identify lead pipes, plan removal projects, and replace lead service lines that deliver drinking water to homes.
House Appropriations Committee releases draft funding bills for public lands and environment programs
On May 20, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee began consideration of the fiscal year (FY) 2027 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies appropriations bill, which funds key environment and public lands programs at the Department of the Interior (DOI), U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The bill provides agency and program funding levels and sets policy goals for the agencies for FY 2027.
U.S. Department of Agriculture announces new environmental review regulations
On May 12, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development announced that its programs will officially adopt USDA’s new National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations, marking a significant shift in how environmental reviews will be implemented across USDA agencies.