Bill > HR6159

This bill establishes the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Program, a pilot grant program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to award grants to eligible entities (states, local governments, Indian tribes, and public-private partnerships) to improve recycling accessibility in underserved communities. The key provisions include: defining key terms like "curbside recycling," "materials recovery facility," and "underserved community"; setting the goal of the program to fund projects that improve accessibility through a hub-and-spoke model; outlining the application process and selection criteria, with priority given to projects in communities with limited recycling infrastructure; allowing grant funds to be used for increasing transfer stations, expanding curbside recycling, and public-private partnerships; prohibiting the use of funds for recycling education programs; setting minimum and maximum grant amounts; and requiring the EPA to set aside at least 70% of funds for underserved communities and potentially waive the 90% federal cost-share requirement. The bill also requires the EPA to submit a report to Congress on the program's implementation and impact on recycling rates.