This action approves an award in the amount of $592,253 to the tennessee department of environment and conservation

This Cooperative Agreement award from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grants for States and Territories program (CFDA 66.920) provides $592,253 in funding to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The award supports activities related to long-term planning and data collection to demonstrate progress toward national recycling and food loss and waste reduction goals, as well as advance a circular economy for materials. Key deliverables include a detailed state-wide waste characterization study report and a customized 10-year solid waste plan to optimize recycling practices for the benefit of Tennessee residents. No sub-awards are included under this agreement.

This agreement provides funding from the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA). The environmental protection agency's (EPA) solid waste infrastructure for recycling (swifr) grants for states and territories will fund activities that support long-term planning and data collection needs to demonstrate progress toward the national recycling goal and food loss and waste reduction goal and to advance a circular economy for materials, as well as support the state-led implementation of plans to advance post-consumer materials management.activities:the activities to be performed are: reviewing and selecting contractors to produce a waste characterization report study design; drafting a study design that outlines an effective report to guide tennessee recycling efforts; approving study designs; producing an extensive and precise report detailing the composition of municipal solid waste (MSW) across the entire state; executing a study plan that is a customized state solid waste plan that optimizes recycling practices; providing progress updates that include timely delivery of reports before drafting the new solid waste plan; and publishing reports that detail a customized state solid waste plan that optimizes recycling practices.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include a detailed report documenting the findings of the state-wide waste characterization study. The expected outcomes include an informed 10-year solid waste plan. The intended beneficiaries are residents of tennessee.