EPA Highlights Progress Achieved to Reduce Waste and Conserve Resources on America Recycles Day

EPA Highlights Progress Achieved to Reduce Waste and Conserve Resources on America Recycles Day

November 15, 2024

WASHINGTON- Today, Nov. 15, on America Recycles Day, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is highlighting progress achieved on actions in its "National Recycling Strategy"through implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. As a key agency in the Biden-Harris administration's efforts to build a circular economy, EPA is joining the White House to recognize America Recycles Day with a Presidential Proclamation. Since 1997, EPA has celebrated the nation's progress on recycling, and this year, EPA is encouraging organizations and individuals to continue expanding the ways they reduce, reuse and recycle. Together with investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA's work has helped to transform recycling and solid waste management across the country while creating jobs and strengthening the nation's economy.

"President Biden's commitment to upgrading our nation's recycling infrastructure has supported local economies, created good-paying American jobs, and provided stronger public health protections for communities across our nation," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "As we celebrate America Recycles Day, let us remember that recycling is a simple and effective way to make a difference."

Thanks to the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed three years ago today, EPA received the largest recycling investment in 30 years to fund the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) and Recycling Education and Outreach (REO) grant programs. These recycling grants tackle consumer confusion and outdated recycling infrastructure, the largest barriers to proper recycling, and support implementation of EPA's "National Recycling Strategy."The 164 grants EPA has selected so far are also an investment in overburdened communities where waste management facilities are most concentrated - 156 of these grants are already awarded - 56 to states and territories, 24 through REO, 24 to communities, and 52 to Tribes and Intertribal Consortia. As a result of SWIFR funding, several states are conducting their first-ever solid waste management plans and waste characterization studies, and some are creating market development strategies.

One of the most effective ways to protect the environment is to reduce waste. The United Nations' International Resource Panel found that natural resource extraction and processing contribute to over 55% of all global greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change. EPA's focus is on preventing waste through reduction and reuse strategies and supporting a circular economy, an approach that keeps materials and products in use for as long as possible.

In June of 2024, EPA released a joint "National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics" with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration to prevent the loss and waste of food and increase the recycling of organic materials, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save households and businesses money, and build cleaner communities. Additionally, EPA published reports analyzing and quantifying the impacts of wasted food.

EPA also recently hosted working sessions to develop best practices and battery labeling guidelines to increase battery recycling-one of EPA's latest efforts to reduce landfill waste and recover valuable materials from used products. The best practices and guidelines aim to increase the collection and recycling of used consumer electric and portable batteries, vehicle batteries, and storage and industrial batteries.

In September 2024, EPA announced additional SWIFR funding opportunities for Tribes and intertribal consortia and communities, as well as additional funding through the REO grant program. EPA anticipates announcing additional SWIFR funding for states and territories next year. These grants are covered programs under the Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver at least 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, clean water, and other investments to disadvantaged communities.

Next, EPA is planning to publish the final "National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution," part three of the series on building a circular economy. In this latest strategy, EPA will share actions that governments, businesses, non-profits, and communities can take in the U.S. to eliminate the release of plastic waste into the environment and reduce the U.S. contribution to plastic pollution.

EPA offers many free, online resources, including:

• Model Recycling Toolkit.
• Composting Food Scraps in Your Community: A Social Marketing Toolkit.

• Wasted Food Scale: Updated Recommendations.
• Standardized Terms for Materials Accepted by Municipal Recycling Programs.
• Creating Messages that Drive Behavior Change.
• Recycling Infrastructure and Market Opportunities Map.

Visit the EPA recycling webpage to learn more waysto reduce, reuse and recycle.