Austin received $4M to reduce waste in landfills, redistribute furniture to homeless

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday it's giving the City of Austin $4 million to build a new reuse warehouse, where Austinites can drop off things like furniture and building supplies to get recirculated back into the community. 

The grant, called the Solid Waste Infrastructure Grant, is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and aims to improve Austin’s recycling systems. 

“Through this grant, Austin will be able to get good used furniture out of our landfills and into the homes of folks transitioning out of homelessness. It’s an innovative and sustainable approach to reducing waste in our city and helping those most vulnerable create a stable home. Thank you to our congressional delegation for your work,” Mayor Kirk Watson said in a press release.

Because of a lack of current space, many usable items get discarded and go into landfills. Austin Resource Recovery said the new warehouse will accept all furniture and help distribute usable furniture to people coming out of homelessness. 

The warehouse will eventually expand to accepting building materials. The ultimate goal of the project is to reduce materials sent to landfills, according to a press release. 

“Right now, far too many materials are wasted when they could be recycled and reused by people in need. Improved recycling not only lets these items have a second life — but they’ll be a lifeline to struggling Austinites,” said U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Austin.

“I’m grateful for the Biden Administration supporting this creative way of reducing waste while helping people get back on their feet,” he continued.