SEPA Investing in America through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants Community Grant Fact Sheet Austin, Texas Selected Grant Recipient Name: City of Austin, TX Project Title: Austin Reuse Warehouse EPA Information Region: EPA Region 6 Grant Funding: $4,000,000 The City of Austin, TX has a surplus of valuable goods that are going to a landfill due to space constraints and limited reuse outlets Austin Resource Recovery intends to use EPA grant funds to permanently fill the resource gap by constructing and opening a new Austin Reuse Warehouse, the new Warehouse will accept and redistribute gently used furniture at no cost to nonprofits and their clients, with a focus on furnishing the homes of those transitioning out of homelessness. The Warehouse will eventually expand to also accept building materials. An on-site "Innovation Lab" will provide space and infrastructure for innovative programming, including a workforce program in which people with barriers to employment will learn how to upcycle obsolete furniture into new pieces. The project will reduce the amount of furniture and building materials sent to landfills annually. SWIFR Grants for Communities The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides the largest EPA investment in recycling in 30 years to support National Recycling Strategy implementation and build a circular economy for all. As part of the Investing in America agenda, this funding supports improvements to waste management systems and programs, allowing resources to be used more efficiently and reducing the impact on the climate. SWIFR Community grant funding can be used to establish or optimize collection and management of materials; fund infrastructure, technology, or other improvements to reduce contamination; enhance markets for recycled commodities; and increase the diversion, recycling rate and quality of materials collected for municipal solid waste. These grants also advance the Justice^ Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40% of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution. EPA will make the award to the City of Austin once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. SWIFR State Grant Program Fact Sheet Texas SWIFR State Grant Fact Sheet www.ppa.gov/infrastructurp/SWIFR EPA 530-F-23-007-ff Spptpmbpr 2023 Highlights • Opens and expands the Austin Reuse Warehouse, an onsite space for redistributing used furniture and building materials and hosting programming. • Creates three full-time jobs. ------- |