This agreement provides funding from the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA)

The environmental protection agency (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 advance a circular economy for materials, as well as support the state-led implementation of plans to advance post-consumer materials management. The purpose of this award is to enhance the state of louisiana's efforts to meet the swifr grants elements. The louisiana department of environmental quality (ldeq) will develop a statewide solid waste management plan (swmp) to advance post-consumer materials management, develop standardized measurements and reporting, provide guidance and technical assistance, provide training, market development, and outreach for the implementation of the swmp. The anticipated outcomes of the swmp are to establish a connection with circular economy principles, the state's climate goals and zero waste while simultaneously addressing the needs of disadvantaged communities in louisiana. There will be a focus on expanding opportunities for community input and information sharing with disadvantaged communities in the swmp. Ldeq will also develop standardized definitions for waste streams, including municipal solid waste, recycled materials, organics, and construction and demolition debris. Lastly, ldeq will provide technical training through meetings, workshops, and online seminars. This training will include sharing information about the development of the swmp and recycling strategies with partners and conducting studies to identify the quantity and type of recoverable materials that are being disposed of in louisiana. Direct beneficiaries of this program include: residents and visitors in the state of louisiana; solid waste facility owners and operators in the state of louisiana; municipalities, counties, and tribal governments in the state of louisiana; other stakeholders in the state of louisiana, such as civil society and the private sector.activities:activities to be performed include the development of a statewide solid waste management plan which will involve determining the existing recycling landscape and current strategy/activities associated with post-consumer materials management in the state of louisiana, identifying best practices, evaluating contamination, determining legislation and regulation needs, researching policies around recycling standards, standardizing recycling requirements, and standardizing reporting requirements. Additional activities related to the swmp include updating the state's debris management plan, developing policies consistent with the national recycling strategy and food loss and waste reduction goal, incorporating circular economy principals, and incorporating EPA's managing and transforming waste streams tool. Ldeq will perform community engagement activities that include conducting listening sessions with key stakeholders to identify gaps, regional challenges, and administrative/financial needs that should be considered to meet goals and targets. Opportunities for input will be further expanded to incorporate environmental justice activities which include community input and information sharing with disadvantaged communities. Information about the development of the swmp will be shared with stakeholders through various communication channels. The grantee will also coordinate dialogue with manufacturers and other stakeholders to discuss policies to promote market development in the state. Ldeq will perform technical assistance and guidance activities which include providing technical assistance to local agencies to monitor their performance using an online standardized reporting tool and providing guidance through remote support