Bill > S351

This bill establishes the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Program (RIAP), a pilot grant program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to improve recycling accessibility in underserved communities. The program will provide competitive grants ranging from $500,000 to $15 million to eligible entities like states, local governments, and Indian Tribes, with at least 70% of funds dedicated to projects in underserved communities. Grants can be used to increase transfer stations, expand curbside recycling collection, and leverage public-private partnerships to reduce material collection and transportation costs. The federal government will cover up to 95% of project costs. Additionally, the bill requires the EPA to collect and report comprehensive data on recycling and composting infrastructure, including inventorying materials recovery facilities, estimating recycling and composting program access, developing standardized recycling rates, and studying how recyclable materials are diverted from circular markets. The program is authorized $30 million annually from 2025 to 2029, with the goal of significantly improving recycling infrastructure and understanding recycling challenges across the United States.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/351/all-info