Hawaiʻi County has secured a $1,522,130 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of President Biden’s “Investing in America” initiative funding which is dedicated to enhancing recycling infrastructure and waste management systems in Hawaiʻi County, specifically for a city-scale reusable food ware and refillable bottle system in Hilo.

The funds will support the development and implementation of a reusable food ware and refillable bottle system. The project will encompass the acquisition of reuse collection bins, transport vehicles, crates, a dishwashing machine, infrastructure installation, QR code scanners, and a technology platform for efficient asset tracking and management.

In a press release Mayor Roth said, “We’re deeply grateful for the EPA’s decision to support our proposal to establish a groundbreaking city-wide reusable food ware and refillable bottle system in Hilo. This initiative is all about building the necessary infrastructure for our residents to continue forging a greener and more resilient Hawaiʻi Island, where every citizen actively contributes to the preservation of our environment and sustainability of our island home.”

The EPA’s selection of Hawaiʻi County as a grant recipient is part of the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) program, totaling over $73 million distributed to 25 communities nationwide.