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New Report on Environmental Value of Applying Compost
 EPA released a new report titled The Environmental Value of Applying Compost: Improving Soil Health for Stormwater Management, Contaminated Site Remediation, Ecosystem Restoration, Landscaping and Agriculture. The report synthesizes the published science on the benefits of compost use in various sectors and examines potential benefits of increasing use of compost at scales that better align with the volume of organic materials (e.g. food waste) available for composting. Read the full report and visit the new webpage on the benefits of using compost for additional resources.
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EPA Releases Reports on Recycling Infrastructure and Survey on State Data Collection
 EPA is excited to announce two new reports to Congress: An assessment of the nation’s current recycling infrastructure stock and gaps and a report containing the results of EPA’s recent survey of states on residential recycling.
In 2021, Congress directed the EPA to collect data on residential recycling and estimate the financial investments needed to modernize the U.S. recycling system. In its report, “An Assessment of the U.S. Recycling System: Financial Estimates to Modernize Material Recovery Infrastructure,” EPA estimates that an investment of $36.5 to $43.4 billion is needed to improve curbside collection, drop-off, and processing infrastructure across the U.S. by 2030. This estimate includes material recovery facilities, packaging material-specific recycling facilities, composting, anaerobic digestion, and livestock infrastructure. Key investments must be made in all aspects of the national recycling system – generation, collection, sorting, processing, and end markets – along with education and policies that disincentivize landfilling materials.
EPA’s second report to Congress, the “Recycling Needs Survey and Assessment,” presents the results of a survey that found approximately 50% of states and territories collect data on the number of community curbside recycling programs, and that 80% percent of states and territories do not have deposit programs. The survey also found that approximately 50% of states and territories measure an overall recycling rate, with an average recycling rate of about 30%.
The reports are now available on EPA’s webpage here.
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Global Methane Initiative publishes Financial Readiness Framework for Organic Waste Management
 Cities often face challenges in obtaining financial support for organic waste management projects such as landfill gas capture, composting, and anaerobic digestion projects. Organic waste management projects like these can mitigate methane emissions and improve public health. The new Global Methane Initiative Financial Readiness Framework for Organic Waste Management, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, provides high-level, practical guidance to national and subnational governments, as well as private sector project developers and other parties. This framework helps with understanding the process for financing organic waste management projects, mitigating potential investment risks, and improving the bankability of projects.
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EPA Publishes New Calculator for Methane Emissions Avoided by Diverting Food Waste from Landfills
 The EPA Avoided Landfilled Food Waste Methane Emissions Calculator is now available. The calculator can be used to estimate the methane emissions avoided per ton of food waste by diverting food waste from landfills over time. The calculator uses the same food waste and landfill characteristics as the 2023 EPA report on methane emissions from landfilled food waste, and also uses factors from EPA’s Waste Reduction Model (WARM). Anyone can download and use the calculator, including state, Tribal and local governments, institutions, NGOs and private companies, and results may be useful for grant applications, program planning, and reporting.
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USDA and FDA Extend Comment Period for Public Input on Date Labeling
 USDA and FDA announced a Request for Information on date labeling in December 2024 and have extended the comment period. The aim of this RFI is to provide clarity, transparency, and cost savings to consumers by collecting information on “Use By” and “Sell By” dates for food products. Confusion on date labels is a major contributor to food being disposed of improperly in U.S. households.
Submit your comments in the Federal Register by March 5, 2025.
Read the USDA Press Release here. Read the FDA Press Release here.
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DOE Announces Funding for Waste-to-Energy Projects
 The Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office and Vehicle Technologies Office announced $6.9 million in funding for nine projects to support the production of biofuels and bioproducts from food waste, wastewater solids, and manure via anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis/biochar production. Eight projects are feasibility studies and one is a pilot project.
Learn more about the projects selected for funding by DOE.
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EPA Announces Virtual Working Session on Best Practices and Labeling Large-Format Batteries to Increase Recycling
 Please join EPA for two webinars this spring to gather input from interested parties on best practices for collecting large-format batteries to increase recycling, as well as labeling these batteries to improve collection and recycling. For purposes of these discussions, large format batteries are rechargeable batteries over 25 pounds or more than 2000 watt-hours and often used in electric, hybrid, and internal combustion engine vehicles; other motive equipment; and stationary energy storage systems.
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Reminder - Apply by March 14, 2025 for Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia Funding
 EPA is excited to announce the second round of grants for Tribes and intertribal consortia. These grants will provide approximately $20 million in awards ranging from $100,000 to $1.5 million each. The entities eligible to apply under this announcement are federally recognized Tribes, including Alaskan Native Villages and former Indian reservations in Oklahoma. Intertribal consortia are also eligible to apply. The deadline to apply for the SWIFR Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia is March 14, 2025.
EPA keeps a running list of questions and answers about this funding opportunity, and recently posted materials from our October webinars.
For the full details, please visit EPA’s SWIFR Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia webpage.
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USDA Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grants
 The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing a total of $14.4 million in grants and technical assistance through two separately funded projects to support urban agriculture and innovative production. USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production is making available $2.5 million for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production grants. Funding will be provided to projects that increase food production and access in economically distressed communities, provide job training and education, and allow partners to develop business plans and zoning proposals. A previously recorded webinar will provide more information on what types of projects are eligible. Application deadline is March 10, 2025. Learn more about the funding opportunity.
In addition, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is providing $11.9 million in funding through an interagency agreement with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to promote the hiring of Urban Agriculture Conservation Extension Educators through the Cooperative Extension programs at Land-grant Universities. Learn more about the funding opportunity.
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DOE Announces Notice of Funding to Help Accelerate Sustainable Supply Chains
 The U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office announced up to $12.5 million to establish a multi-year effort to accelerate the deployment of technologies that support secure and sustainable supply chains. Circular supply chains help create a robust and competitive manufacturing sector while providing economy-wide environmental benefits.
This acceleration effort will include conducting system-level analyses and facilitating collaboration across industries. DOE encourages potential applicants to consider creating or joining a team to establish this project. Join the Teaming Partner List to express interest in forming a team to bid on this funding.
- Concept papers are due on March 31, 2025, at 5 pm ET.
- Learn more about this funding opportunity on DOE’s website and on EERE eXCHANGE.
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Danone Institute and the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research present Sustainable Food Systems Grants. Apply by February 14
 Danone Institute North America is accepting proposals for the 2025-2027 DINA Sustainable Food Systems and the new Focus on Foods Initiatives. $410,000 will be awarded to eight grant recipients. Five of the grants will be awarded to five transdisciplinary teams that demonstrate a commitment to actionable and achievable projects that contribute to the nutritional health of adult populations. An additional three new grants, funded by FFAR, will go to three teams whose projects focus on agriculture communities. Application deadline is February 14, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. EST. Learn more about these funding opportunities.
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ReFED Catalytic Grant Fund: Maximizing the Harvest. Apply by January 21
 On-farm produce loss is a major contributor to food waste, with U.S. farms generating more than 17 million tons of surplus food in 2023 alone. This surplus—consisting of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables—represents a missed opportunity for food to reach its original intended consumer, all while millions face hunger. ReFED’s Catalytic Grant Fund is seeking innovative technologies, solutions, and initiatives that can boost the harvest of this surplus, maximize its value, and establish new market opportunities while increasing profitability for farmers. Letters of Intent to Apply are due January 21, 2025. Learn more about this funding opportunity.
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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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