Biden-Harris Administration invests more than $3,925,641 in North Carolina 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
RALEIGH, NC (Sept. 13, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced more than $3,925,641 from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to expand recycling infrastructure and waste management systems across North Carolina.
EPA has selected Durham County to receive a $3,313,200 grant under the newly created Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling funding opportunity. In addition, the agency is making available approximately $612,441 to improve solid waste management planning, data collection and implementation of plans. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this investment totaling is a part of EPA’s largest recycling investment in 30 years.
“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.”
“This historic investment in advancing recycling infrastructure projects will effectively and efficiently reduce the impact that waste materials have in the Southeast Region,” said Acting Region 4 Administrator Jeaneanne Gettle. “Recognizably, the work done under these grants will serve as a powerful example of what we can do together do to protect our planet and our communities.”
“This is a significant investment in North Carolina’s community recycling efforts and will help make sure waste materials are put to good economic use instead of being buried in landfills,” said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.
“The Biden Administration and the EPA are continuing to tackle the climate crisis head-on by making generational investments in the American people and prioritizing public health, especially in historically underserved communities,” said U.S. Representative Valerie Foushee (NC-04). “I am pleased that Durham County is among the 25 communities nationwide that will receive much needed federal funding to expand our local recycling infrastructure and waste-management systems, and to develop clean-energy infrastructure for generations to come.”
“I fought for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law because I knew it would bring important investments to North Carolina and help us address serious environmental challenges,” said U.S. Representative Deborah Ross (NC-02). “We must take concrete steps to improve waste management, especially in historically disadvantaged and marginalized communities that continue to bear the brunt of climate change and excessive pollution. I’m grateful that the Biden administration is continuing to invest needed resources into my home state of North Carolina, and I look forward to our continued partnership to address the climate crisis.”
“Thanks to organizations like Envision Charlotte and resources like the Innovation Barn, North Carolina is a leader in efforts to build a circular economy,” said U.S. Representative Alma Adams (NC-12). “As part of over $100 million in investments being announced this week, these EPA grants are building on our community’s work to reduce, reuse, and recycle. That’s one of many reasons I was proud to support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which continues to invest in innovative waste management solutions that strengthen recycling infrastructure and build resilience to the climate challenges of the 21st century.”
“I’m excited to hear that the EPA has allocated funds to expand recycling capabilities and address waste management in North Carolina,” said U.S. Representative Wiley Nickel (NC-13). “This funding, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will be transformational for North Carolina communities. In Congress, I’ll continue to work with my colleagues from the North Carolina delegation and be a strong advocate for federal funding and resources made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”
“Through the Convenience for All project, the EPA will help Durham County meet our goal to address much-needed equipment and operational investments in our solid waste infrastructure at the Redwood Convenience Site. We are particularly excited to note that this project provides much needed solid waste improvements to historically underserved neighborhoods in the unincorporated areas of eastern Durham County. The $3.3 million grant supports our goal to administer safe, efficient, and effective solid waste services to County residents while protecting the natural environment,” said Durham County Board of County Commissioners Chair, Brenda Howerton.
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 Communities
The recycling grants for communities will support improvements to waste management systems across the country.
Durham County, North Carolina is receiving a $3,313,200 grant to renovate and re-design the Redwood Convenience Site in Eastern Durham County to address the increase in resident use, improve sustainability measures, and expand service offerings.
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 $370,000 to $760,000; with the highest grant amounts supporting those states and territories that need it the most.
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.
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