Fort Worth has been awarded $4.8 million through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant program. The funding will support the Environmental Services Department in strengthening recycling infrastructure, improving post-consumer materials management, and enhancing local waste management systems.
The grant will help launch Fort Worth’s Reuse Program and Recycling Enhancement Project. These initiatives aim to reduce landfill waste, improve the quality of recycled materials, and expand reuse opportunities for residents throughout the city.
As part of the program, a pilot reuse initiative will be implemented at two Drop-Off Stations — Old Hemphill at 6260 Old Hemphill Road and Hillshire at 301 Hillshire Drive. Residents will be able to divert quality, usable items such as furniture and electronics for reuse by others, promoting a circular approach to materials management.
The funding will also support infrastructure improvements across the city’s Drop-Off Stations. Four new compactors will be acquired to enhance source-separated cardboard diversion and recycling. Additionally, site upgrades at the Old Hemphill station will expand the city’s capacity to recycle scrap metal and scrap tires efficiently.
(Source: Michael Barea/Wikimedia Commons)
Education and outreach are a key component of the grant. Fort Worth plans to fund three years of expanded neighborhood education programs to reduce contamination in the curbside recycling program. Electronic signboards at all four Drop-Off Stations will also be upgraded to provide residents with clear guidance on recycling, diversion, and solid waste management.
Together, these investments are designed to modernize Fort Worth’s materials management, improve operational efficiency, and give residents more options to reduce waste. The SWIFR grant reinforces the city’s commitment to sustainable practices while providing reliable and cost-effective solid waste services as Fort Worth continues to grow.
Residents can read the official EPA announcement and learn more about the city’s solid waste and recycling programs on Fort Worth’s Environmental Services Department website.