RECYCLING

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) is responsible for helping reduce the amount of solid waste in the state. They work to cut down on waste by encouraging people and facilities to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials. Their goal is to help protect and improve Louisiana’s air, water, and land. LDEQ also gathers recycling information from cities and parishes. They put this information into a report and share it with the Louisiana House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment and the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality. The report explains how well different areas are doing with recycling and recovering useful materials.

The Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grant is a federal program that helps states, cities, tribes, and local governments improve their recycling systems. The grant was created through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and provides $275 million over five years to support better recycling programs and waste‑management systems. The main goal of the SWIFR grant is to help communities upgrade the way they collect, sort, and manage recyclable materials. This can include improving recycling centers, buying new equipment, expanding curbside recycling, reducing contamination in recycling bins, and improving data collection so communities understand what materials are being recycled. The program also supports projects that help build a circular economy, meaning materials are reused instead of thrown away. LDEQ applied for and received funding through this grant. Information about the SWIFR grant may be found under agency interest number 241229 - Topic File - Solid Waste Infrastructure Grant SWIFR - EPA Grant - Waste Permits Division.