The City of Tacoma will spend over $2.5 million in new grant funds to make its solid waste utilities more environmentally friendly and expand community outreach. The Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $2 million grant through its Recycling Education and Outreach Grant Program. The program is part of the $108 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is designed to provide information about materials that are accepted as part of community recycling programs.
The city plans to use the $2 million to expand its community ambassador program and outreach to Tacoma’s minority community. “I am especially pleased to see the expansion of the Community Ambassador Program and look forward to their efforts to further engage and educate our residents on how to increase their recycling efforts and expand our circular economy,” Tacoma City Councilmember John Hines said in a statement.
The city was also recently awarded $560,196 by the Washington state Department of Ecology to replace an aging solid waste management diesel truck. The city will replace the 2009 engine year truck with a battery-electric garbage truck along with the necessary charging infrastructure. “We need to continue transitioning city vehicles to electric models to further reduce our carbon footprint and lower air pollution in our city,” Tacoma Deputy Mayor Kristina Walker said.
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Author: Spencer Pauley, The Center Square