EPA to Expand Environmental Performance Standard and Ecolabel Recommendations for Federal Purchasing
EPA has launched a new process to add additional standards and ecolabels to the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing program's Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing.
The expansion includes standards and ecolabels that address PFAS, embodied carbon, and other Biden-Harris administration priorities. EPA encourages managers of standards development organizations, ecolabel programs and similar organizations to apply for potential assessment and inclusion in the Recommendations.
 EPA will host a webinar on Nov. 15 from 1-2:30 p.m. EST to answer questions from stakeholders about the expansion of the Recommendations and the application process.
EPA Recognizes 2022 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award Winners
On Nov. 1, EPA announced 26 Safer Choice Partner of the Year award winners from 14 states and the District of Columbia, recognizing their achievements in the design, manufacture, selection and use of products with safer chemical ingredients.
This year’s awardees represent a wide variety of organizations, including small- and medium-sized businesses, women-owned companies, state and local governments, non-governmental organizations and trade associations.
This year’s winners have all shown a commitment to preventing pollution by reducing, eliminating or stopping pollution at its source prior to recycling, treatment or disposal.
Safer Choice Certification Added for Products in Two New Sectors
For the first time, EPA’s Safer Choice program has certified products in the automatic car wash and fire defense products sectors. Safer Choice-certified car cleaners for consumers and businesses are now available along with products to reduce fire risk around homes and buildings.
Webinar Recording Available on 'Pollution Prevention Works: A Storytelling Challenge for Students'
A recording of an Oct. 26 webinar to educate potential applicants and other stakeholders on an EPA challenge launched in September is now available.
High school and college students can win up to $5,000 by telling stories about P2 using videos, written stories, infographics or story maps. These stories will illustrate how businesses identified through EPA's Toxics Release Inventory are reducing toxic chemical releases through innovative P2 practices and positively impacting the environment and communities.
Submissions are due by Feb. 17, 2023.
ICYMI: Recording of 2023 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards Webinar
A recording of the Sept. 28 webinar to educate stakeholders on the Green Chemistry Challenge Awards' nomination process is now available. This webinar reviewed the history of the awards, eligibility requirements and what is needed to submit a nomination.
EPA is accepting nominations from companies and institutions that developed a new green chemistry process or product that protects human health and the environment. The deadline to apply is Dec. 9.
Learn more about the Green Chemistry Challenge Awards.
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EPA to Seek Input on New P2 Programs Funded by Inflation Reduction Act
In the coming months, EPA plans to host a series of listening sessions to collect input on the development of new grants, technical assistance, and tools made possible by the $350 million investment in EPA’s P2 program from the Inflation Reduction Act. The goal of this funding is to help stakeholders in the construction materials sector measure, document, declare and/or certify efforts to lower carbon emissions.
Stay informed on these and other developments by signing up for the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing program’s listserv.
P2 Helpline
The P2 Hub Helpline offers information and resources about pollution prevention. Please contact the Helpline at p2hub@epa.gov or (202) 566-0799.
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