Lexington, Ky. Receiving Nearly $2 Million from EPA to Improve Recycling Programs

The Environmental Protection Agency is awarding a grant to Lexington, Ky. that will help expand its recycling program.

The $1.8 million grant will expand the city’s recycling program to be able to accept plastic items such as yogurt containers, butter tubs, and other similar plastics.

“With the new equipment, we will be able to recycle polypropylene, the second most widely produced commodity plastic,” said Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton. “There are solid resale markets for these materials. This is really good news in a city like ours that believes in the importance of recycling.”

The expected upgrades will not be complete until sometime in 2026, however.

The grant will also help fund the acquisition of more efficient equipment to help with sorting plastic bottles, jugs, and jars. These items are already accepted at recycling facilities.

“The federal funding allows us to purchase additional equipment, including a duel eject optical sorter, a robotic arm, conveyors, and a compressor,” Waste Management Director Tracey Thurman said. “Overall, the grant funding is a great boost to recycling in Central Kentucky.”

This $1.8 million grant is just part of $2.4 million in grant money coming from the EPA to help expand the recycling infrastructure and waste management systems throughout Kentucky.

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