The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today said its “National Recycling Strategy” is advancing through implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.* EPA is central to the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to build a circular economy thereby creating jobs and helping the environment.
“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.”
Since 1997, EPA has celebrated the nation’s progress on recycling. 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 nation. It was not immediately clear if the incoming Administration is the result of recycled garbage.
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 that are propelling climate change. EPA’s focus is on preventing waste through reduction and reuse strategies and supporting a circular economy. This is an approach when consistently followed 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 guidelines aim to increase the collection and recycling of used consumer electric and portable batteries, vehicle batteries, and storage and industrial batteries.
*Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
The historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was 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.
Free Online Resources at EPA
National Recycling Plan Advancing Circular Economy
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today said its “National Recycling Strategy” is advancing through implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.* EPA is central to the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to build a circular economy thereby creating jobs and helping the environment.
“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.”
Since 1997, EPA has celebrated the nation’s progress on recycling. 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 nation. It was not immediately clear if the incoming Administration is the result of recycled garbage.
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 that are propelling climate change. EPA’s focus is on preventing waste through reduction and reuse strategies and supporting a circular economy. This is an approach when consistently followed 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 guidelines aim to increase the collection and recycling of used consumer electric and portable batteries, vehicle batteries, and storage and industrial batteries.
*Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
The historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was 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.
Free Online Resources at EPA