EPA seeks grant applications for recycling, food waste reduction projects

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 is now accepting applications for sustainable materials management grants to fund recycling markets or food waste reduction projects in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Proposed projects must focus on enhancing plastics and paper recycling markets, food waste prevention or diverting food waste from landfills. EPA plans to award grants of $30,000 to $60,000 to fund three or four projects.

Sustainable materials management is a systemic approach to use and reuse materials through a product's entire life cycle to reduce environmental impacts, conserve resources and reduce costs.

“EPA supports building a stronger, more resilient recycling system and reducing food waste to help fuel our economy, create jobs, conserve resources and prevent waste,” says Region 5 Administrator Kurt Thiede.

The deadline for submissions is April 30. EPA will notify selected finalists by early July 2020, and grants will be awarded by Sept. 30.