Posted: April 29, 2026

A combination of EPA and USDA funding has resulted in numerous changes throughout the city, including free commercial recycling service, residential recycling carts and organics infrastructure.

Providence, Rhode Island, is starting to see tangible results from multiple organics and recycling programs funded by federal grants.

This work was spurred by $3.34 million from the U.S. EPA’s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant program awarded in 2023, as well as $255,850 from a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant awarded in 2024. Now, multiple years in, the city has funded new vehicles, carts and other infrastructure.

Back in November 2023, Mayor Brett Smiley described the EPA funding as a big opportunity to advance sustainability efforts.