Investing in America through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling State and Territory Grant Fact Sheet Arkansas Grant Recipient Information EPA Information Name: Arkansas Department of Energy and Region: EPA Region 6 Environment Division of Environmental Quality AEPA Highlights • Establish baseline data across Arkansas. • Analyze data to revise the existing Statewide Waste Management Plan while incorporating Arkansas Code Annotated Section 8-6-1901. Overview of Arkansas' Planned Activities Arkansas will analyze data to revise its existing statewide Solid Waste Management Plan as well as assess the condition of data collection across the state to identify areas where improvement is needed. To this end, Arkansas will conduct interviews with a variety of partners, including citizens, industry professionals, and schools to determine the current knowledge base about recycling opportunities. Arkansas also will conduct field research, use public notices and social media posts, review historical research, audit public events, and seek out additional information to learn more about the current state of knowledge about recycling opportunities. Upon completion, Arkansas will present their updated Solid Waste Management Plan to partners for input and comment. Then, Arkansas will provide outreach and assistance to the 19 regional solid waste management boards in the state to help in the development of their individual solid waste management plans. 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 Arkansas once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. EPA 530-F-23-008-AR ppa.gov/infrastructurp/SWIFR Spptpmbpr 2023 ------- |