Materials Management Newsletter | May 2024

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) sent this bulletin at 05/17/2024 02:51 PM PDT
  Materials Management Newsletter_May 2024  

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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Materials Management Grants Program

Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine: Applications for the Materials Management Grants Program Open May 21, 2024! 

 

New funding opportunity for those who want to make a difference in waste prevention within your community! The Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine Grants Program has $1 million of funding to be distributed and we need your help to spread the word.  

Who: Local governments, non-profits, Tribal Nations, public schools, small businesses

What: Applicants may submit a project proposal between $25,000 - $125,000 in funding and will have up to two-years to complete their project.  

When: The pre-application will open Tuesday, May 21 and will close on Tuesday, June 18.  

How:  

  1. Register through the online platform WebGrants
  2. Submit your pre-application via WebGrants before Tuesday, June 18, 2024. 
  3. The highest scoring project pre-applications will be invited to submit a main application by July 19, 2024. Extra points will be awarded to first-time applicants. We strongly encourage projects that address inequities in BIPOC, rural, and underrepresented communities to apply. 

If you have limited internet access or would like to submit an application in a language other than English, please reach out to our grants team at RRRGrants@deq.oregon.gov.  More details on eligibility, important dates, and project examples are all available on the DEQ website. Thank you in advance for sharing this info with your networks and anyone who may be interested!  

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Multifamily Housing Tenant Questionnaire Now Open!

Do you live in a multifamily housing property such as an apartment or condominium complex? We are looking for your input to improve access to recycling and garbage systems!

Please take this brief tenant questionnaire by June 21, 2024 to share your experience on this important topic and help support future efforts to address challenges facing residents of multifamily housing. 

This questionnaire for tenants will inform a statewide needs assessment for multifamily housing communities required by ORS 495A.935 of the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act. Specific questionnaires will be available for local governments, service providers, and property managers. For more information, please visit the DEQ website or contact Gretchen Sandau. 

Enclosure Example Whether your garbage and recycling enclosure looks like the image on the left or the image on the right (or somewhere in between), we look forward to hearing your feedback! Enclosure Example

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Food Waste Prevention Week 2024

DEQ Materials Management is once again immensely proud of the enthusiasm and dedication that our community across Oregon brought to national Food Waste Prevention Week 2024. 

Here's a snapshot of what we accomplished together during this eventful week:

  • Hosted 12 diverse Food Waste Prevention Week events statewide
  • Organized 2 innovative "Bread to Brew" events, turning potential food waste into delicious brews
  • Celebrated the Governor’s Proclamation, officially designating the week for Food Waste Prevention
  • Launched DEQ’s inaugural K – 12 Student Video Contest, engaging young minds in our mission
  • Spread the word with a Radio News Story that aired across Oregon
  • Achieved a national ranking as the #3 state for the most registered partners during the week (again!)
  • Received a formal proclamation from Governor Tina Kotek announcing April 1-7, 2024 as Food Waste Prevention Week. Photo included below featuring DEQ staff Sanne Stienstra, Jerin Dinkins, and Elaine Blatt. 

The list of contributions goes on, and it’s all thanks to the hard work and passion of local governments, non-profits, and various community groups across the state!

  Food Waste Prevention Week Collage  

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Pacific Coast Collaborative's New Vision and Action Plan to Promote Regional Low-Carbon Construction Sector

In January, the Pacific Coast Collaborative released its Vision and Action Plan to promote a regional low-carbon construction sector that promotes equity-centered policies, job creation, and regional trade.

Buildings are responsible for at least 39% of global energy-related carbon emissions each year, and 11% comes from embodied carbon. The Materials Management Program is a member of the PCC’s Low Carbon Construction Task Force, which produced the Action Plan to create a shared strategy to accelerate innovation, investment, and market development for low-carbon materials by leveraging the scale of the Pacific Coast regional economy.

“The buildings we live and work in are one of the leading drivers of climate change. By teaming up with the Pacific Coast Collaborative, we’re positioning Oregon to tackle carbon emissions from buildings head-on. Together, we’re building the regional green economy and shaping the next chapter on environ-mental leadership,” said Leah Feldon, Director of Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality.

  Pacific Coast Collaborative Image  

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Recycling Modernization Act Opportunities for Public Comment

The Circular Action Alliance submitted a proposed Producer Responsibility Organization Plan in March 2024. Public comment on this proposed plan is open now through May 31, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. PST. To learn more about the plan and submit your comment, please visit our website.

  Binny Image  

 

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New GovDelivery Lists

Check out the links below to stay in the loop on new rulemaking processes and other Materials Management projects through GovDelivery bulletins!

E-Cycles Rulemaking 2024 | Sign up for updates here

Paint Stewardship | Sign up for updates here

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Learn more about Materials Management programs in your area and around the state by visiting our website.