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On July 18, 2023, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine published their independent report, Recycled Plastics in Infrastructure: Current Practices, Understanding, and Opportunities. EPA appreciates the role of the National Academies in conducting this study. We agree with the National Academies’ findings that there is not enough data to fully address the use of plastics in infrastructure and that more research is needed.
BACKGROUND: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation commissioned the National Academies to conduct an independent study reviewing the current use of recycled plastics in asphalt pavements and other infrastructure applications. The study evaluates barriers and opportunities for using more recycled plastics in infrastructure. This report also addresses requirements under the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, Section 303.
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June 28, 2023 – August 23, 2023
Solicitation number: 68HERC23R0249
As part of its Small Business Innovation Research program, EPA seeks proposals from small businesses to develop novel environmental technologies in various topics areas, including:
Circular Economy/Sustainable Materials
- Innovative technologies that help consumers prevent food waste in the acquisition, preparation, and storage of food.
- Innovative technologies or materials that will improve the U.S. recycling system.
- Innovative material reduction and reuse solutions to lower embodied carbon in the built environment.
For information on the funding opportunity, visit the following resources:
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For the SWIFR program, EPA prepared a Programmatic Environmental Assessment and Preliminary Finding of No Significant Impact for public review and comment for 30 calendar days before making the decision on whether, and if so how, to proceed with a proposed action. The PEA evaluates the environmental impacts of solid waste infrastructure projects that will receive funding through the SWIFR grant program. The PEA presents a broad and high-level review of information on existing conditions and discusses potential impacts and mitigation measures that might typically occur during construction and operation of solid waste infrastructure projects for recycling. The preliminary decision and finding will become final after the 30-day comment period expires if no substantive comments are received.
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Application deadlines: August through November, 2023, depending on program area.
These grants cover a wide variety of topics and eligible entities. Total anticipated funding for fiscal year 2024 is $300 million. The 2023 request for applications for AFRI’s Foundational and Applied Science Program identifies the following priority program areas, some of which include food waste reduction as a sub-topic and/or eligible initiative:
- Plant health and production and plant products;
- Animal health and production and animal products;
- Food safety, nutrition, and health;
- Bioenergy, natural resources, and environment;
- Agriculture systems and technology; and
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Agriculture economics and rural communities.
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By subscribing to the newsletter, you will receive periodic announcements about resources, events, webinars, funding opportunities, and more from EPA and our partners. Topics include circular economy, reduce/reuse/recycle, food loss and waste, electronics, plastics, municipal solid waste, and the built environment.
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