EPA's solid waste infrastructure for recycling (swifr) grants for tribes and intertribal consortia will fund projects that focus on encouraging environmentally sound post-consumer materials…

This $365,085 Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grant Program (CFDA 66.920) will fund the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe's efforts to enhance waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable materials management on the Snoqualmie Reservation. The key activities to be performed include:

1. Hiring a consultant to characterize the tribe's waste stream and document opportunities for composting, recycling, and other waste reduction measures to establish a baseline.

2. Implementing a solid waste reduction and recycling plan by purchasing necessary equipment and supplies, such as a glass pulverizer, recycling compactor, and sorting bins.

3. Developing a "Green Team" composed of staff from the tribe's Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) department and the Snoqualmie Casino to collaborate on waste reduction and other sustainability projects.

4. Establishing policies to support the successful implementation of the tribe's waste management and reduction initiatives.

The anticipated outcomes include increased recycling, reduced waste generation, and effective community education and outreach. This award will directly benefit tribal members, casino customers, and the local community by enhancing the tribe's waste management infrastructure and promoting environmentally sound materials management practices.

EPA's solid waste infrastructure for recycling (swifr) grants for tribes and intertribal consortia will fund projects that focus on encouraging environmentally sound post-consumer materials management, fund projects that will result in a decrease in the generation of municipal solid waste and/or an increase in the diversion of municipal solid waste from landfills and incineration; and/or fund projects that provide or expand access to source reduction, reuse, recycling, backhaul, anaerobic digestion, and composting for tribes and tribal members of intertribal consortia. The purpose of this award is to enhance the snoqualmie tribe's efforts to meet the swifr grants elements. The snoqualmie tribe will implement a waste identification, reduction, and recycling program. Equipment (glass pulverizer, recycling compactor, sorting bins) will be purchased and used in conjunction with the plan to do this. ENR and the casino will form a 'green team' to work collaboratively on waste reduction, recycling, and other projects that will create the infrastructure to reduce solid waste on the tribe's reservation. Activities:the activities to be performed are as follows: (task 1) hire a consultant to characterize the waste and document how IT can be reduced through composting, recycling, or other reduction, and create a baseline for the current situation; (task 2) implement a plan of solid waste reduction and recycling by purchasing equipment and supplies that will implement this goal; (task 3) develop a 'green team' that is comprised of ENR employees and casino employees; and (task 4) implement policies on waste management and reduction. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include an increase in recycling, pulverized glass and a decrease in waste generation, education and outreach to staff and the public. The expected outcomes include in addition to measuring the success of the project, a green team will be formed. Finally, the ENR department will work on drafting and implementing policies to ensure that the project is successful. The intended beneficiaries include tribal members, casino customers, and the local community.