|
EPA News
Deadline Extended to for $100 Million in Grants Toward Recycling Infrastructure and Education and Outreach!
On December 16, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) extended the grant application deadlines to February 15, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) for the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grants for political subdivisions and the Recycling Education and Outreach (REO) grants. These two grant programs support improvements to local waste management systems and recycling education and outreach, meeting our nation’s goal to create a stronger, more resilient, and cost-effective recycling system. After extensive stakeholder engagement and in response to numerous requests received in webinars and emails from interested parties, EPA has extended the original 60-day application timeline for 30-days for each funding opportunity. Community engagement and feedback is very important to EPA, and the Agency is committed to ensuring potential applicants have the extra time to prepare the best possible applications.
Through the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the total estimated funding in FY2023 for SWIFR grants for political subdivisions is $40,000,000, and the total estimated funding for the REO grants is $30,000,000. A minimum of 40% of this funding will be awarded to disadvantaged communities, in alignment with Biden Administration's Justice40 initiative. EPA anticipates awarding approximately 25 assistance agreements (cooperative agreements or grants) for each announcement, subject to availability of funds, the quality of applications received, agency priorities, and other applicable considerations.
For more information: https://www.epa.gov/rcra/grants-political-subdivisions and https://www.epa.gov/rcra/consumer-recycling-education-and-outreach-grant-program
These grants are for states, tribes, territories, local governments, and other organizations to fund projects to improve consumer education and outreach. Topics include waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and composting. Grants are intended to fund practical tools needed to reduce waste generation, decrease contamination in the recycling stream, and increase recycling rates across the country in a manner that is equitable for all.
Applications for funding are now due February 15, 2023.
-
Slides are available from the first webinar which provided an overview of the request for applications, eligible entities, evaluation criteria, and the application process. Recordings and Spanish translation are coming soon.
-
A Questions and Answers document is also available that EPA will be frequently updating.
-
Webinars to learn about procurement and subawards and ask questions (same presentations):
-
December 20, 2022 @ 6:00pm – 7:00pm (EST)
These grants are for counties, cities, towns, parishes, and similar units of government to fund projects that improve materials management and infrastructure, including collection, transport, systems, and processes related to post-use materials that can be recovered, reused, recycled, repaired, refurbished, or composted.
Applications for funding are now due February 15, 2023.
-
Slides are available from the first webinar which provided an overview of the request for applications, eligible entities, evaluation criteria, and the application process. Recordings and Spanish translation are coming soon.
-
Webinar to learn about procurement and subawards and ask questions:
-
December 19, 2022 @ 6:00pm – 7:00pm (EST)
000,000)
These grants are for states, territories, and the District of Columbia to improve solid waste management planning, data collection, and program implementation. On December 15th, EPA published the Program Guidance on Grants.gov for the State and Territories Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants.
-
December 19, 2022 @ 2:00pm – 3:30pm (EST)
|
|
|
Creating Messages that Drive Behavior Change
EPA released new training materials on creating messages that drive behavior change, including examples of how recycling, composting, and food waste prevention programs have applied social marketing to change behavior. If your community is trying to create impactful educational materials that lead to behavior change, consider applying these approaches.
Find training materials and more information on social marketing at:
EPA recently released an interactive collection of EPA and other materials to help states, territories, local governments, tribes, schools, nonprofit organizations, companies, and public-private partnerships create effective programs for recycling, composting, anaerobic digestion, reuse, repair, and waste reduction. Materials in the toolkit can help communities increase participation in recycling programs and reduce contamination in the recycling stream.
Materials Featured in the Toolkit:
Case studies from communities who have created effective recycling, composting, anaerobic digestion, reuse, and repair programs.
Training materials on how to create educational messages and campaigns that drive behavior change.
Examples of consumer education materials that states, tribes, and local government entities can adapt and use in recycling programs.
Standardized terms with examples that may be used to describe materials that are accepted by residential recycling programs.
Proposed Renewable Fuel Standards for 2023, 2024, and 2025
EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program is a national policy that requires a certain volume of renewable fuel to replace or reduce the quantity of petroleum-based transportation fuel, heating oil or jet fuel. On December 1st, 2022, EPA issued a proposed rulemaking under the RFS program with future volume targets for specific types of renewable fuels. A type of renewable fuel is created from food waste feedstock, using the anaerobic digestion process. EPA is soliciting public comment on the proposed rule and will be holding a public hearing in January.
EPA Electronics Sustainability-Focused Session at the Consumer Electronics Show 2023
You are warmly invited to EPA’s Session at the Consumer Electronics Show titled, “Working Towards a Circular Economy for Critical Minerals, Electronics and Batteries,” to be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, West Hall, W219 from 9:00 am-9:40 am PST. During this interactive session, attendees will learn about EPA’s efforts to strengthen the nation’s critical mineral supply chain through their electronics recycling strategy and batteries initiatives under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and have an opportunity to share their work with EPA.
Please do not hesitate to contact (johnson.janice@epa.gov) with any questions. We look forward to seeing you at CES2023!
|
|
Partner Funding Opportunity
USDA Funding for Solid Waste Management in Rural Areas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for the Solid Waste Management Grants program. This program aims to reduce water pollution in rural areas through improvements to solid waste management and planning. Eligible applicants include public bodies, nonprofit organizations, federally recognized tribes and academic institutions in rural areas and towns with 10,000 or fewer residents. USDA expects to make approximately $4 million available through the program. Applications are due by December 31, 2022.
For more information and to apply, see:
|
|
|
|
|
