Investing in America through the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling
State and Territory Grant Fact Sheet

Rhode Island

Grant Recipient Information
Name: Rhode Island Department of

EPA Information

Region: EPA Region 1

Environmental Management
Highlights

•	Update the Rhode Island Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan.

•	Improve management of solid waste data.

•	Conduct projects to improve recycling and organics collection and management in Rhode
Island.

•	Assess the compatibility of bioplastics with current infrastructure.

Overview of Rhode Island's Planned Activities

Rhode Island will convene a team to update the state's Comprehensive Solid Waste Management
Plan. As part of the update, the plan will examine solid waste in a comprehensive and holistic way. In
addition to addressing solid waste disposal and recycling at the state's Resource Recovery Facility,
the plan will include food waste diversion, e-waste management, and emerging waste streams such
as solar panels and lithium-ion batteries. Data management will be improved, and the higher-quality
data will be used in the update to the plan. The plan will also incorporate benchmarks and goals that
reflect the state's emphasis on environmental justice. To support projects to improve recycling of
organics, grant funds will be provided for technical assistance to food waste. Grant funds will also
advance food recovery efforts through education and outreach in disadvantaged communities.
Lastly, grant funds will be used to convene a task force to study bioplastics, with a focus on shifting
away from petroleum-based plastics, as part of its Plastics: Land to Sea initiative.

SWIFR Grants for States and Territories

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 can be used to develop or update plans to advance
post-consumer materials management, implement those plans, and to improve data collection
efforts. 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 Rhode Island once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.

SWIFR Community Grant Fact Sheet

City of Providence SWIFR Community Grant Fact Sheet

EPA 530-F-23-008-RI

ppa.gov/infrastructurp/SWIFR
Spptpmbpr 2023

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