EPA Backs Recycling Upgrades in Alaska and Washington With $8 Million in New Grants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded nearly $8 million to two municipal recycling initiatives in Alaska and Washington state, targeting reuse, vehicle recycling, and long-standing infrastructure gaps, according to EPA reporting released this week. The funding reflects a broader federal push to modernize local waste systems as communities face rising disposal costs and tighter environmental expectations.

The awards are part of a larger $58 million grant round announced on December 11, in which the EPA selected 17 local governments nationwide under its Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling program. In the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, the agency chose projects in the city of Shoreline, Washington, and the community of Unalaska, Alaska, both of which have struggled with limited reuse options and high transportation costs for waste.

Federal data show that U.S. recycling rates have largely stagnated over the past decade, even as consumption and municipal solid waste volumes continue to grow. Analysts say remote and mid-sized communities face particular challenges, including limited processing capacity, contamination in recycling streams, and the high cost of shipping materials to regional markets. Previous federal and state efforts have focused heavily on education, but observers note that infrastructure constraints have often limited real gains.

According to the report, in Shoreline, the EPA awarded about $4.45 million to support the creation of a centralized reuse hub designed to extend the life of consumer goods and building materials. City officials plan to combine salvaged construction materials, a tool-lending program, and bicycle repair and resale services in a single location, while also providing space for local repair and reuse groups. Project planners estimate the center could divert more than 670 tons of material from landfills over the grant period, reducing disposal volumes while supporting a local circular economy.

Unalaska received roughly $3.8 million to expand recycling capacity and address end-of-life vehicle management, a persistent issue in remote Alaskan communities. The project includes funding for equipment to dismantle and sort vehicles, secure storage for recyclable materials, public outreach on hazardous waste handling, and dedicated staffing for vehicle processing. Officials say the goal is to create a system that can operate long term despite high logistical costs and limited access to downstream recyclers.

EPA Region 10 Administrator Emma Pokon described the projects as a practical step toward strengthening local waste systems, noting that infrastructure upgrades can deliver environmental benefits alongside workforce and public health gains. Industry groups broadly support the approach, arguing that targeted investments in processing and reuse are more likely to improve recycling outcomes than education alone.

The grants are funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which expanded federal support for post-consumer materials management and emphasized improvements to community recycling and composting programs. Observers say future funding rounds are likely to prioritize projects that demonstrate measurable diversion and financial sustainability, as federal agencies seek to show tangible returns on infrastructure spending.

Source: EPA

SUNSHINE Spotlight: Federal funding is helping Shoreline and Unalaska tackle recycling and reuse challenges by investing in practical, community-scale infrastructure rather than education alone.