The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a $3.5 million grant to the City of Ontario, California, aimed at enhancing recycling efforts through a new digital donation tool. The funding comes from the EPA’s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grants program, supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
According to an EPA news release, the grant will facilitate the creation of new recycling collection routes and optimize infrastructure related to materials management by updating recycling equipment.
EPA Pacific Southwest Deputy Regional Administrator Cheree Peterson said, "This grant empowers the City of Ontario to pursue ambitious food waste reduction efforts, which are critical to keeping material out of landfills that can be donated, composted, or recycled." She further added that "the projects this grant will fund are emblemical of the great work happening across California to recover edible food and increase composting and recycling, creating significant benefits for local communities and the environment."
The news release further elaborates that the grant will aid in developing a digital food donation marketplace project in compliance with California Senate Bill (SB) 1383. This project aims to enable businesses to enhance source separation of organic food waste and mixed recyclables by distributing carts and bins to residents and companies. SB 1383 mandates a 75 percent reduction in organic waste and ensures that 20 percent of edible food that would have otherwise been discarded is redirected towards Californians in need. To this end, the state has committed $464 million to organics recycling and surplus food recovery grants.
Blaine Ishii, Integrated Waste Director for the City of Ontario expressed his enthusiasm over receiving this grant: "The City of Ontario is excited about receiving grant funding to help expand our recycling infrastructure. We are dedicated to improving our post-consumer waste efforts." He added that "with this grant funding, the city will make improvements to our recycling program including enhancements in tracking, education, and market development. We look forward to implementing these progressive goals, reducing contaminations and enhancing our recycling and organics collections."
Rachel Machi Wagoner, Director of CalRecycle, highlighted the state's progress in combating climate pollution: "California has cut climate pollution by requiring large food businesses to send unsold food to people in need instead of landfills as part of our organics diversion initiative." She added that "so far 246 million meals have reached Californians without enough to eat with the help of state funds."
