OES is excited to announce that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the city a more than $4.9 million Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant to modernize and expand Cincinnati’s curbside recycling program. 

The investment will fund the replacement of approximately 80,000 aging recycling carts across the city while also expanding recycling access to 5,000 additional households. The award represents one of the largest investments in Cincinnati’s recycling infrastructure in decades and supports the city’s long-term waste diversion and sustainability goals. 

Cincinnati has long been a national leader in recycling and was the first city in Ohio to offer curbside recycling service. For more than 35 years, Cincinnati residents have made recycling part of everyday life, helping divert more than 1 million tons of material from landfills. 

In 2024 alone, Cincinnati diverted 19,724.75 tons of recyclable material from the waste stream, achieving a 21.24% diversion rate. Those efforts conserved enough energy to power every home in Cincinnati for five days, reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to every household in the city not driving for four weeks, and saved more than 102,000 trees from being harvested. 

“This investment reflects our commitment to building a Cincinnati that works for everyone. It goes beyond just replacing old carts — we’re expanding the reach of our recycling program into new communities.” Mayor Aftab Pureval. 

Many of the city’s current recycling carts are now more than a decade old and increasingly prone to damage and failure. This grant allows Cincinnati to replace out-of-warranty carts beginning in summer 2027. The old carts themselves will be recycled and transformed into new carts, further supporting the city’s circular economy efforts. 

The grant provides an opportunity to do more than simply replace equipment. 

“We’re using it to close real gaps in recycling access, pair new infrastructure with genuine community engagement, and build toward the city’s long-term diversion goals. The new carts are just the start of a bigger recycling conversation.” Howard Miller, OES Environmental Manager. 

The 5,000 new recycling carts will primarily be distributed in neighborhoods with historically low recycling participation, helping ensure more equitable access to recycling services throughout Cincinnati. 

The grant also supports a comprehensive community outreach and education campaign planned for fall 2026 through spring 2027. The campaign will focus on increasing awareness about recycling opportunities, improving participation, and reinforcing best practices for recycling correctly. 

“The recycling program is the foundation of our waste reduction efforts in the Green Cincinnati Plan. This support from the EPA comes at a critical time for the city as we work to grow the size and impact of the program.” Ollie Kroner, OES Director. 

The Green Cincinnati Plan establishes a goal of achieving a 50% waste diversion rate by 2030. In addition to the residential cart replacement program, the city continues to pursue other recycling initiatives, including expanding recycling opportunities at multi-family properties and installing recycling corner cans throughout Cincinnati neighborhoods. 

Citywide rollout of the new recycling carts is expected to begin in summer 2027 and continue through 2029. 

“This is going to give us an opportunity to reset, expand, and stay on track for our goals to increase participation and equitable access to recycling throughout the city,” Miller said.