SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The Hawaii Department of Tourism (HDOT) announced that it has received a competitive grant funding of $312,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

The grant is part of FHWA’s Climate Challenge initiative launched earlier this year. It must be noted that the FHWA has announced a total of $7.1 million to as many as 25 state departments of transportation to promote sustainable construction materials and reduce transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions.

ALSO READ:

Houston Announces First-of-its-Kind Modern Plastic Processing Facility

Plastics Taskforce Recycling Pilot Announced Positive Results

The HDOT will combine the grant money with support received from other funding sources to build a modern plastic recycling research facility, which would be the first-of-its-kind in Hawaii. The estimated cost of the facility is around $6 million and will be capable of converting waste plastics into new products which can be used in transportation infrastructure. The facility is expected to become operational within two years.

Ed Sniffen, Deputy Director for Highways, HDOT noted that the proposed facility would keep waste plastics out of landfills and process them into useful products to improve its road and environment. It will play a key role in addressing climate crisis, thus offering enormous benefits to all residents of the western U.S. state.