STEWARD Act Kicks Off $150M+ Recycling Upgrade: Focus on Underserved Areas, New Data Tracking

The STEWARD Act of 2025 is basically a nationwide push to revamp recycling, especially in places that have been overlooked. Instead of just talking about it, this bill puts real money and structure behind improving how we handle waste.

Trash Talk: What the STEWARD Act Actually Does

The core of the bill is about getting recycling infrastructure up to par, particularly in areas that don't have good access right now. Think rural communities or neighborhoods where it's a hassle to recycle – the STEWARD Act aims to fix that. It does this by setting up a grant program (the "Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Program," Sec. 2) to fund projects that make recycling easier and more efficient. We're talking about things like building more transfer stations (where recyclables are sorted and sent to bigger facilities), expanding curbside pickup, and supporting public-private partnerships to get this done. The bill specifically prioritizes areas that are more than 75 miles from a materials recovery facility (Sec. 2).

For example, imagine a small town where the nearest recycling center is a two-hour drive away. This bill could provide the funds to build a local transfer station, making it way easier for residents to recycle and potentially creating local jobs in the process. Or, if you live in an apartment complex where recycling isn't offered, this could lead to your building finally getting bins.

Show Me the Money (and the Data)

The bill authorizes $30 million per year from 2025 to 2029 just for these infrastructure grants (Sec. 2). That's over $150 million total. Grants can range from $500,000 to $15 million per project (Sec. 2), and at least 70% of the funding is earmarked for underserved communities (Sec. 2). The federal government will cover up to 95% of project costs (Sec. 2). One catch: the money can't be used for recycling education programs (Sec. 2), which could be a problem – better infrastructure is useless if people don't know how to use it properly.

But it's not just about building stuff. The STEWARD Act also tackles the problem of knowing what's actually happening with our recycling. Section 3 requires the EPA to collect a ton of data. They'll be inventorying materials recovery facilities every four years (Sec. 3), figuring out what kinds of materials they can handle (plastics, paper, glass, etc.). They'll also be working with states and local governments to track how many people have access to recycling programs, how much stuff is actually getting recycled (and how much is contaminated), and what the costs and benefits are (Sec. 3). This data collection is backed by $4 million per year from 2025-2029 (Sec. 3).

Following the Trash Trail

Another key part of the data collection is tracking where our recycled materials end up. The EPA has to report on the "end markets" for recyclables, including how much is being sold and for what price (Sec. 3). They're even supposed to do a report on the market for compost (Sec. 3). This is crucial because if there's no demand for recycled materials, the whole system breaks down.

The bill also requires a report within two years on composting infrastructure, looking at ways to improve it and reduce contamination in the recycling stream (Sec. 3). They'll evaluate laws that might be hindering composting, describe existing programs, and look at the costs and land needed for expansion.

The bill requires regular reports to Congress on how the grant program is working (Sec. 2) and on the data collection efforts (Sec. 3). The Comptroller General will also be reporting every two years until 2033 on how federal agencies are doing with their own recycling and composting (Sec. 3). All of this reporting is designed to keep things transparent and accountable.

The Bottom Line

The STEWARD Act is a significant step toward improving recycling in the US, particularly in areas that have been left behind. It combines funding for infrastructure with a strong focus on data collection and reporting, which is essential for understanding what's working and what's not. While the lack of funding for education is a potential weakness, the overall approach is solid. It's a practical, nuts-and-bolts bill that could make a real difference in how we manage our waste.