Sponsors (30)
The bill provides modest, predictable federal funding and large grants to expand recycling infrastructure—benefiting local governments, tribes, and underserved areas—but increases federal spending without offsets and may leave smaller or remote jurisdictions behind while prohibiting use of funds for education that supports program success.
Local governments, tribes, and communities nationwide gain a predictable federal funding stream ($30M/year for FY2025–2029) to expand recycling capacity and plan multi-year projects.
State, local, and tribal governments can access large capital grants (up to $15M, with federal share up to 90%), substantially lowering local upfront costs for building recycling infrastructure.
Low-income and underserved communities will gain improved curbside collection, transfer stations, and processing capacity through targeted grants that increase local recycling access.
All taxpayers shoulder $30M per year for five years in new federal spending with no dedicated offsets, increasing federal outlays.
Rural, remote, and smaller municipalities may be disadvantaged because large grant sizes and matching expectations favor better-resourced jurisdictions, limiting equitable access despite assistance.
Low-income communities and local governments may see reduced long-term program effectiveness because the law prohibits using grant funds for recycling education and outreach that drive participation.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates an EPA competitive pilot grant program funding hub-and-spoke recycling projects and prioritizing underserved communities, authorized at $30M/year FY2025–2029.
Introduced March 14, 2025 by Mariannette Miller-Meeks · Last progress March 14, 2025
Creates a competitive EPA pilot grant program to fund hub-and-spoke recycling infrastructure projects that expand recycling access, with priority for underserved communities. The program must be established within 18 months, awards grants of $500,000–$15,000,000, reserves at least 70% of funds for projects serving underserved communities, and is authorized at $30 million per year for FY2025–2029 (available until expended).