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Check out the New EPA Webpage with Resources for Educating Youth on Wasted Food
 EPA published a new webpage with resources for educating youth about wasted food. It includes resources to use in the classroom like lesson plans, resources for reducing school food waste, composting and prevention resources for youth, and more! Check it out.
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Wasted Food Scale Available in Additional Languages
 EPA’s Wasted Food Scale, a graphic providing guidance on the most to least preferred methods of managing wasted food, is now available in seven languages in addition to English: Arabic, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Korean, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese. Download detailed and simple versions of the Wasted Food Scale in these languages on the Wasted Food Scale webpage.
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EPA Extends Public Comment Period for Version 16 of the Waste Reduction Model Tool
On December 26, 2023, EPA released the WARM tool version 16, which contains updates to several materials and economic factors. We extended the public comment period for an additional 30 days. Comment on or before March 15, 2024.
EPA released the WARM tool version 16 and documentation, the WARM methodology, external peer review report, and the WARM data quality assessment report. WARM v16 contains updates to several materials including food waste, mixed electronics, wood product construction items, and demolition materials. We also updated economic factors in WARM, based on newly available data.
We will use comments and the findings of the external peer review and data quality assessment to improve the usability, integrity, and functionality of WARM. Access Version 16 on the WARM website.
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Check out the New Database of Federal Grants to Support Food Waste Initiatives
 ReFED, in partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council, developed a database of federal funding opportunities that could support food waste reduction and organics recycling initiatives. The database includes basic information about grants, such as eligible applicants, application due dates, funding amounts, and links to more information. Explore the database.
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Learn about Food Waste Prevention Week and What Your Organization Can Do
 Food Waste Prevention week is coming up April 1-7. If your agency or organization is interested in participating, you can register and attend an upcoming partner webinar on February 8 or March 5.
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USDA Awards Composting and Food Waste Reduction Cooperative Agreements
USDA announced the Composting and Food Waste Reduction awardees - $11.5 million will support projects in 23 states. Read the press release and learn more about past and present projects.
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TODAY! Webinar: Defining “Reuse” for Policymakers
On February 15 at 11 am Eastern Standard Time, Upstream will host a webinar about defining reusable packaging in the policy context, including potential pitfalls of vague reuse definitions, plus recommendations and best practices in hopes of moving forward in passing effective reuse policy. Register here.
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Webinar: Investing in Impact- The Unique Pitch for Funding Food Rescue
On February 21 at 3:00 pm Eastern Standard Time, Food Rescue Hero is hosting a webinar on the true return on investment of food rescue. Register here.
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Four Part Webinar Series on Wasted Food Solutions
Northeast Recycling Council and Northeast Waste Management Officials Association are hosting a four-part webinar series. The first webinar, Anaerobic Digestion and Other Solutions for Wasted Food, will be held on February 28, 1-2 pm EST, and will cover wasted food prevention, donation, composting, and then delve into anaerobic digestion and how it works. Register here.
The second webinar, Siting Considerations for Anaerobic Digesters, will be held on March 13, 1-2 pm EST (the registration link is not yet available).
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Webinar: Introducing WasteMAP: A New Tool to Track and Reduce Waste Methane Emissions
On February 29, at 10 am EST, Rocky Mountain Institute will host a webinar about the new Waste Methane Assessment Platform. Learn how WasteMAP brings emissions data and decision making together to help cities identify and tackle methane emissions from the waste sector, watch a live demo of the online tool, and find out how RMI and Clean Air Task Force are supporting decision makers on the ground through country engagement. Register here.
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Apply for EPA’s Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program
EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights is awarding approximately $2 billion in grants to fund community-driven projects that address climate challenge and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation. The Inflation Reduction Act provided the funds for this grant program. Eligible entities include partnerships between two community-based organizations or a partnership between a community-based organization and a local government, federally-recognized Tribes, or institutes of higher education.
Objectives of the grant program are:
- To provide resources for community-driven projects to address environmental and climate challenges in communities facing disproportionate and adverse health, pollution, and environmental impacts, and suffering from generations of disinvestment.
- To invest in strong cross-sectoral collaborations with partners who bring a robust commitment to working with and for communities with environmental and climate justice concerns.
- To unlock access to additional and more significant resources to advance environmental and climate justice goals from across the federal government and other sources.
- To empower communities and strengthen their capacity to drive meaningful positive change on the ground for years to come.
- To strengthen community participation in government decision-making processes that impact them.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with initial award selections beginning in March 2024. The final application deadline is November 21, 2024.
Read full notice of funding opportunity. View frequently asked questions about the Community Change Grants program.
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Apply for EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
EPA is making available $4.6 billion across two implementation grant competitions, one general competition, and one specifically for Tribes and territories. Under these funding opportunities, eligible applicants compete for climate pollution reduction implementation grants to fund measures in their state-, municipality-, Tribe-, or territory-specific climate action plans. As part of its application evaluation, EPA will prioritize measures that achieve the greatest reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Measures that address waste and materials management are within scope as well.
The deadline to apply to the general competition is April 1, 2024. The deadline to apply to the Tribes and territories competition is May 1, 2024. EPA estimates that the implementation grants will be awarded in fall 2024 for the general competition and in winter 2024-2025 for the Tribes and territories competition.
For more information, please visit:
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Apply for USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program Loans and Grants
This program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment, as well as new system loans for agricultural production and processing. Funds may be used for the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems, including anaerobic digesters.
Application Window Closing Dates:
- March 31, 2024.
- June 30, 2024.
- September 30, 2024.
Visit the USDA Rural Energy for America Grants webpage for more details.
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Apply for USDA’s Foundational and Applied Science Program Grants
 These grants cover research, education, and extension projects with a wide variety of topics and eligible entities. Total anticipated funding for this fiscal year is $300 million. The 2024 request for applications for USDA’s Agriculture and Food Initiative Foundational and Applied Science Program identifies the following priority program areas, some of which include reduction of food loss and waste, soil health practices, and bioeconomy development as eligible projects:
- 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.
- Agriculture economics and rural communities.
- Crosscutting programs.
Read the 2024 Request for Applications for Foundational and Applied Science Program.
Application deadlines: August 1 through November 14, 2024, depending on program area.
Learn more about this funding opportunity and how to apply.
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Mention of or referral to commercial products or services, and/or links to non-EPA sites does not imply official EPA endorsement of or responsibility for the opinions, ideas, data, or products presented at those locations, or guarantee the validity of the information provided. Mention of commercial products/services on non-EPA websites is provided solely as a pointer to information on topics related to environmental protection that may be useful to EPA staff and the public. |
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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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