Biden proposes higher EPA funding, including $10M in recycling grants from Save Our Seas 2.0
By Cole Rosengren | 6/2/21 | WasteDive
Dive Brief:
The Biden administration is calling for the U.S. EPA's largest overall budget in history, at $11.2 billion, including $10 million in funding for a new Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) pilot grant program as a result of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act.
Per the fiscal year 2022 budget proposed on Friday, SWIFR will "build innovation in the recycling industry" and focus on "improving solid waste management infrastructure and post-consumer materials management," with climate change mitigation described as a "cornerstone" of the program.
Separately, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) also announced last week up to $14.5 million in research and development funding for "projects to develop economically viable solutions for converting plastic films to more valuable materials and design new plastics that are more recyclable and biodegradable."
Dive Insight:
Heading into 2021, a wide range of stakeholders in the recycling and plastics sectors were cautiously optimistic about the Biden administration paying greater attention to related issues. While the Trump administration received credit for convening a range of public and private sector leaders to discuss recycling via the EPA, it was also criticized for repeatedly attempting to cut that agency's budget.