The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the city nearly $5 million to modernize its curbside recycling program, replacing aging carts across Cincinnati and enrolling thousands of new households.
The more than $4.9 million Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant will fund the replacement of approximately 80,000 recycling carts and the addition of 5,000 new recycling households through a citywide opt-in expansion, according to city officials.
Many of the carts currently in use are more than a decade old and increasingly prone to failure. Cincinnati was the first city in Ohio to offer curbside recycling.
Howard Miller, the city’s environmental division manager, said the grant is an opportunity to go beyond a simple equipment swap.
“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,” Miller said. “The new carts are just the start of a bigger recycling conversation.”
Mayor Aftab Pureval said the investment is about ensuring equitable access to city services.
“This investment reflects our commitment to building a Cincinnati that works for everyone,” Pureval said. “It goes beyond just replacing old carts — we’re expanding the reach of our recycling program into new communities.”
The recycling program is operated by the Cincinnati Office of Environment and Sustainability. Director Ollie Kroner said the timing of the federal support is critical.
“The recycling program is the foundation of our waste reduction efforts of the Green Cincinnati Plan,” Kroner said. “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.”
A community outreach and education campaign is planned for fall 2026 through spring 2027, aimed at raising awareness of the new carts and reinforcing recycling best practices. The cart rollout is set to begin citywide in summer 2027 and be completed in 2029.