Investing in America through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling State and Territory Grant Fact Sheet Vermont Grant Recipient Information EPA Information Name: Vermont Department of Environmental Region: EPA Region 1 Conservation Highlights • Produce a statewide Vermont waste composition study. • Conduct a systems analysis of the beverage container redemption recycling system and its impacts on the broader recycling system. • Conduct outreach for school waste reduction through support of the School Materials Management Institute. • Host a statewide conference that focuses on reuse and reduction methods. Overview of Vermont's Planned Activities Vermont has an overall objective to increase its recycling and recycling recovery rate, increase food donations and organics recycling, and improve data availability for the materials in the waste stream. Vermont will produce a waste composition study to estimate materials (including municipal solid waste, organics, and construction and demolition materials) that are generated and destined for disposal in landfills or waste-to-energy facilities. Vermont will conduct a recycling systems analysis to assess the costs and benefits of various recycling programs, including bottle bills, single-stream recycling, and extended producer responsibility models. An evaluation of the results will help inform policy decisions and best practices for improving Vermont's recycling. Vermont also plans to host a statewide conference that focuses on reuse and reduction methods—in particular, on establishing a network of waste reduction and reuse stakeholders. In addition, Vermont will establish a school education and training program for Vermont K-12 schools through the School Materials Management Institute, which will help schools recycle and manage food scraps more effectively. The program will train school staff, including teachers, administrators, and food service staff. 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 Vermont once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. EPA 530-F-23-008-VT ppa.gov/infrastructurp/SWIFR Spptpmbpr 2023 ------- |