Poarch Creek Indians awarded $787,000 federal grant for recycling

Photo from Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PCI)

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians has been awarded a $787,397 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for recycling efforts.

The Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant for Tribes aims to deliver 40% of the overall benefits of climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, clean water and other investments to disadvantaged communities, according to the Poarch Creek Indians (PCI).

PCI has been working with the City of Brewton for several years to grow a healthy relationship for both environmental education and recycling efforts.

“This valuable investment will give us the opportunity to continue to improve waste material management in our communities, and greatly enhance our recycling abilities,” Brewton Mayor Yank Lovelace said.

“Through this grant, we will be able to conduct a recycling feasibility and sustainability study to make improvements needed, provide education and outreach, as well as increase community recycling by providing more community recycling containers,” said Kristi Weatherford, Poarch Band of Creek Indians Director of Environmental Programs. “We are excited to continue our work with local partners like the City of Brewton, in growing a healthy relationship for both environmental education and active recycling efforts.”

The partnership between the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and the City of Brewton has been key for growing environmental efforts in the rural portion of the state and has been identified as a successful model for other small towns to follow. While other cities may be abandoning their recycling efforts, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians are looking to expand both availability to the public, and a growing list of recyclables.

The success of this partnership has resulted in the City of Brewton being eligible for grant funding through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, while the Poarch Band of Creek Indians was able to accomplish the same efforts through federal funding. This partnership was recognized at a statewide meeting to showcase the values of cooperative recycling efforts within Alabama.

Currently, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians Recycling program in Atmore accepts a variety of materials from the community including, paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, aluminum cans, as well as electronics, appliances, light bulbs, household batteries, ink cartridges and toner.

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians hosts an annual Household Hazardous Waste and Electronic Recycling Event annually for the entire community, which is scheduled for April 27.

— Information from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians