The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a $2 million grant to the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, aimed at enhancing recycling education and outreach in the Chicago area. The funding is part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, marking the largest EPA investment in recycling in over three decades.

Alfred Saucedo, Chief of Staff for EPA Region 5, emphasized the importance of community engagement: “Through community engagement and outreach efforts, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus will expand recycling communications programs in the greater Chicago area and move us towards national recycling goals.”

Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns highlighted regional collaboration: “The Chicago Metro REO Campaign demonstrates our region’s strongly collaborative culture among our member local governments, counties and partners to address common environmental challenges.”

Recycling rates in the Chicago metro region have plateaued between 30-35%, which aligns with the national average but falls short of both EPA's goal of 50% by 2030 and local targets. Contamination within recycling streams remains a costly issue for municipalities.

Christina Seibert from the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County stated: “Through effective education and outreach, our Chicago Metro REO campaign aims to reduce contamination in the recycling stream.”

The initiative will begin with a study on current recycling rates across several counties including Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will. The campaign seeks to increase per-capita recycling tonnage by 15% through targeted education efforts reaching diverse communities.

Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this grant supports local waste management infrastructure alongside public education initiatives. More information can be found on EPA's website.