This action approves an award in the amount of $592,253 to support the alabama department of environmental management (adem) for recycling (swifr) grants for states and territories will fund…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 awarded a $592,253 Cooperative Agreement to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) Permits & Services - Fiscal Branch Division under the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grant Program (CFDA 66.920). This funding will support ADEM's efforts to enhance Alabama's post-consumer materials management infrastructure and advance a circular economy for materials. Key activities to be performed include:

Developing reporting infrastructure and integrated data collection to track progress toward national recycling and food waste reduction goals; Updating Alabama's recycling economic guide and solid waste management plan; Reviewing and revising state recycling regulations, including the solid waste reduction goal; and Supporting state-led implementation of plans to boost residential material recovery, recycling participation, and access to recycling services across Alabama. The award will run from October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2026.

Activities

To develop reporting infrastructure that integrates with the department's new database; update/develop the study/plan for boosting residential material recovery and recycling in alabama; update and develop the alabama swmp; and review and revise adem's recycling regulations regarding recycling facilities, the state's solid waste reduction goal, and the alabama recycling fund (ARF) grant program. Anticipated deliverables: include to develop or update plans to advance post-consumer materials management; develop, strengthen, and/or implement comprehensive data collection efforts and support the state-led implementation of plans. Expected outcomes include: increased strategic placements of mrfs to further serve underserved areas and reflect a circular economy on the state level; increased use of technology and new processes throughout alabama's recycling industry; increased solid waste diversion from landfills encouraging circular economy; increased number of disadvantaged communities improved with input from communities and stakeholders; complete coverage of solid waste needs met and/or exceeded across all counties by 2030; coverage and guidance for locality specific natural disaster debris streams management and local recycling program resiliency; increased number of registrations, which will reflect a more accurate universe of recycling facilities; increased recycling participation rates and progress/achievement towards the national recycling goal; review and revise adem's existing recycling fund grant regulations; increase in consistent and accurate reporting figures across all regulated recycling facilities; data collection will allow deeper analysis of solid waste trends, recycling participation on a state-wide scale, and tracking of diversion rates and enhanced project management, timely setback mitigation and follow-through. The intended beneficiaries include residents from the state of alabama.activities:.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:.