Investing in America through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Recycling Education and Outreach Grant Program Fact Sheet Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Selected Grant Recipient Name: Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Project Location: Chicago, IL Project Title: Chicago Metro REO Campaign Highlights • Benefits 275 disadvantaged communities. • Creates an accessible and inclusive EPA Information recycling initiative. Region: EPA Region 5 Grant Funding: $2,000,000 The Chicago Metro REO Campaign will be a broad, collaborative recycling outreach and education campaign, serving 275 municipalities and seven counties in northeastern Illinois. The campaign will leverage the expertise and knowledge of solid waste agencies, counties and recycling organizations to educate and engage residents in order to increase collection and reduce contamination in the recycled materials stream. Historically excluded areas will be targeted to increase recycling participation, rebranding recycling in a diverse, wide-reaching, multimedia advertising campaign across the Chicago Metro region. REO Grants 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. REO grant funding can be used to inform the public about residential or community recycling programs, provide information about the recycled materials that are accepted as part of a residential or community recycling program, and increase collection rates and decrease contamination in residential and community recycling programs. These grants also advance the Justice40 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. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also requires that 20% of the grant funding go to communities that are low-income, rural or Native American. EPA will make the award to the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. Other Recycling Grant Funding in Illinois Illinois SWIFR State Grant Fact Sheet EPA 530-F-24-005-LL Consumer Recycling Fducation and Outreach Grant Program April 2024 ------- |