(The Center Square) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) $915,895 to improve and update the Tribes’ recycling plan.
The funding, supported by U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, and U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, aims to help the Tribes, “focus on practical recycling options that center culturally grounded approaches.”
“This critical funding for CTUIR will help ensure the Tribe has the resources it needs to implement its new and improved recycling plan,” Merkley said. “This is an environmental win for the CTUIR community that comes at a critical time for our planet.”
Wyden expressed a similar sentiment. He said it will help the Tribes modernize their recycling approach.
“This federal investment in the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation will help the Tribes to move forward with a modern and broader approach to recycling,” Wyden said. “I know from my town hall there earlier this year how hard Tribal members are working to build an even stronger community, and I’m glad the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is providing this grant to help achieve that goal.”
As the Senate Chair of the Environment and Public Works subcommittee overseeing environmental justice and chemical safety, Merkley has held many hearings investigating both plastic production and pollution. One of these hearings examined reuse and refill systems.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funded the grant. It will be used to upgrade and replace recycling equipment and to expand the recycled commodities market through Tribal community education and recycled materials management.
