Helene Recovery Recycling Infrastructure Grant

Local governments with a Hurricane Helene FEMA disaster declaration (D-4827). A full list is provided in the RFP.

Grant funds may be used for infrastructure improvements, construction of new facilities to handle recyclable materials, reconstruction of recycling facilities damaged by Hurricane Helene, site development costs, related feasibility studies or engineering designs, equipment or vehicle purchases, equipment installation costs, and educational materials such as signs, mailers, handouts, or brochures. 

Grant funds may not be used for employee salaries, administrative expenses such as overhead, utility costs, contracted collection costs, and / or payment for other contracted recycling services such as payment to a vendor for operating a household hazardous waste collection event.

Applicants may request any amount up to $5 million per proposal. Only one proposal will be accepted per local government. A total of $25 million is available through this grant program.

There is no matching requirement; however only eligible activities may be funded.

Proposals will be accepted now through January 30, 2026 for phase 1 of this grant opportunity. A second phase may follow depending on available funds remaining.

• Build America, Buy America (BABA)
• Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA)
• Other applicable federal requirements that pass down to the grantee as a subrecipient of EPA funding

What do these requirements mean for my project?

Build America, Buy America (BABA)

None of the funds made available for a Federal financial assistance program for infrastructure may be obligated for a project unless all of the iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in the project are produced in the United States.

Most of the projects eligible for HRRI funding are expected to be subject to BABA. The requirements apply to infrastructure and mobile equipment (e.g., vehicles, trucks, containers) that exclusively serve public infrastructure.

For more information, see EPA's BABA Implementation Procedures that addresses solid waste-related projects.

Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA)

The Davis-Bacon and Related Acts apply to contractors and subcontractors performing on federally funded or assisted contracts in excess of $2,000 for the construction, alteration, or repair of public buildings or public works. Contractors and subcontractors must pay their laborers and mechanics employed under the contract no less than the locally prevailing wages and fringe benefits for corresponding work on similar projects in the area.

EPA Subrecipient Responsibilities When Entering Into and Managing Contracts:

• Prior to Award of Contract:
  • Include the correct wage determinations in bid solicitations and contracts to comply with the procedures provided in 29 CFR 1.6.
  • Include DBRA requirements in all contracts: “By accepting this contract, the contractor acknowledges and agrees to the terms provided in the DBRA Requirements for Contractors and Subcontractors Under EPA Grants.”
• After Award of Contract:
  • Work with contractors to request additional wage rates if required for contracts under this grant, as provided in 29 CFR 5.5(a)(1)(iii).
  • Provide oversight to ensure contractor compliance with the terms of the contract, as required by 29 CFR 5.6.

For more information, see the recorded EPA Davis-Bacon Grant Term and Condition Webinar.