EPA Grant announcements

 Due Date Extended!

EPA will accept applications for the Recycling Education and Outreach Grant program until

FEBRUARY 15, 2023

Recycling Education and Outreach Grant Program

The total estimated funding for this competitive opportunity is approximately $30,000,000. EPA anticipates awarding approximately 25 assistance agreements under this funding opportunity, with at least one award per EPA Region. The minimum individual award floor is $250,000, and the maximum individual award ceiling is $2,000,000 for the grant period. This program is in alignment with the Biden Administration’s Justice40 Initiative.

• View full Request for Applications (RfA): https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-11/EPA-I-OLEM-ORCR-23-02.pdf
• Upcoming webinars: https://www.epa.gov/rcra/recycling-education-and-outreach-grant-program#webinars

Find out more: https://www.epa.gov/rcra/recycling-education-and-outreach-grant-program

 Due Date Extended!

EPA will accept applications for the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for Political Subdivisions until

FEBRUARY 15, 2023

Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program



The Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant program is a new grant program authorized by the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act and funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provides $275 million for Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grants to support Building a Better America. This is allocated as $55 million per year from Fiscal Years 2022 to 2026 to remain available until expended. EPA was provided an additional $2.5 million in Fiscal Year 2022 funding to implement the program. The Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling program provides grants to implement a strategy to improve post-consumer materials management and infrastructure; support improvements to local post-consumer materials management and recycling programs; and assist local waste management authorities in making improvements to local waste management systems.

• Grants for Political Subdivisions: https://www.epa.gov/rcra/grants-political-subdivisions
• Upcoming webinars: https://www.epa.gov/rcra/grants-political-subdivisions#webinars
• Request for Applications (RfA): https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-11/EPA-I-OLEM-ORCR-23-03.pdf

CT Bottle Bill Expanded

January 1, 2023

Connecticut’s Container Redemption program (aka Bottle Bill program) expanded the types of beverages covered starting January 1, 2023, pursuant to Public Act 21-58.

To provide additional clarification regarding this expansion, DEEP has posted a new document on its main Bottle Bill webpage.

NEW:

List of Covered Beverages Expands as of January 1, 2023

CT Bottle Bill webpage

Register here.

School Events and Resources

CCSMM

Increase Reuse and Recycling (IRR) Working Group

January 10, 2023

1:00pm - 2:30pm

Topic:

School Cafeteria Waste

Speakers:

Katherine Breer Bruns, Recycling Coordinator, Town of West Hartford

Tammy Thornton, President, Wilton Go Green and Chair, Zero Waste Schools Coalition

Kyle Harris, Science Teacher, Litchfield High School

Heather Billings, Senior Waste Reduction Consultant, Center for EcoTechnology (CET)

Register here

IRR Working Group page

Live Webinar

K-12 Climate Action in Connecticut

How can CT schools mitigate their climate impact and adapt to the efforts of climate change.

Wednesday, February 1st

7:00pm

Register here

On Wednesday, February 1 at 7-8 pm, join Wilton Go Green and Waste Free Greenwich for a webinar on how the education sector can lead on climate solutions in Connecticut. Explore the Aspen Institute's K12 Climate Action plan and This Is Planet Ed initiative to learn how education systems can reduce their carbon footprints through energy, transportation, and food and discover how Mansfield Public Schools are reducing their climate impact and saving money through their new net zero school building.

Zero Waste Schools Coalition

As part of Wilton Go Green’s Zero Waste Initiatives, the Zero Waste Schools Coalition was formed in the fall of 2018 to create a platform for schools in Connecticut and beyond to connect, learn and share ways to introduce or enhance programming to reduce waste in our schools.

Who should join: Any interested stakeholder in reducing waste in schools and communities (i.e. administrators, teachers, custodians, food service employees, parents, community members, and students).

Join Now!

Current Members: Our members consist of stakeholders in the following towns: Berlin, Bolton, Branford, Brookfield, Darien, Durham, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Mansfield, Middletown, Milford, New Canaan, New Haven, Newtown, Norwalk, Southbury Stamford, Waterbury, Westport, Weston, Woodbridge, and Wilton. We also have members from Rye and Mamaroneck, NY.

Our members are in various stages of either researching, implementing or building on to an existing program.

Zero Waste Schools Coalition

Resources

For more information on the Zero Waste Schools Coalition contact tammy@wiltongogreen.org

Want CET to speak to your local Chamber of Commerce about Business Recycling?

CET is under contract with CT DEEP to provide Business Recycling Assistance are would benefit with an introduction to your local Chamber or Business Association.

Contact CET: 888-410-3827 or ReduceWasteCT@cetonline.org

KEEP TANGLERS OUT

Remind your residents to keep cords, wires, electronics and other things that "tangle" out of their recycling bins!

 Upcoming Events: 

JANUARY 2023

January 10, 2023 - 1:00pm - 2:30pm - Increase Reuse and Recycling Working Group meeting - topic School Cafeteria Waste. Register here. Part of CT Coalition for Sustainable Materials Management (CCSMM). Hosted by CT DEEP. Virtual.

January 19, 2023 - 7:00pm - What's IN, What's OUT recycling workshop, City Hall, West Haven. Register here. Hosted by City of West Haven. In-person.

January 20, 2023 - 10:00am - 11:00am- Using the Mini Liquor Bottle Fund to Reduce Waste In Your Community. A Sustainable CT Coffee Hour Register here. Hosted by Sustainable CT. Virtual.

January 23, 2023 - 1:00-3:00pm - Certification and Training For Solid Waste Facility (SWF) Operators. Some materials must be reviewed prior to this training session. Please see additional details at: Operator Certification (ct.gov). Register here. Hosted by CT DEEP.

January 24, 2023 - 9:30am - 11:30am - CT Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting.

Register here. More information/agenda. Hosted by CT DEEP. Virtual.

January 24, 2023 - 10:00am - 11:30am - State of Practice of EV Batteries webinar. Register here. Hosted by North American Hazardous Materials Management Association. Virtual.

January 24, 2023 - 1:30pm - 3:00pm - Gypsum Wallboard: Opportunities to Increase Recycling webinar. Register here. Hosted by NERC and NEWMOA. Virtual.

FEBRUARY 2023

February 1, 2023 - 7:00pm - K-12 Climate Action in Connecticut. Register here. Co-Hosted by Wilton Go Green and Waste Free Greenwich. Virtual.

February 23, 2023 - 10:00am - 11:30am - EPR for Lithium Batteries. Register here. Hosted by North American Hazardous Materials Management Association and the National Stewardship Action Council. Virtual.

MARCH 2023

March 8, 2023 - 2023 Rhode Island Compost Conference & Trade Show. Registration information coming soon. Hosted by the Rhode Island College Environmental Club. Rhode Island College, Providence. In-person.

March 28, 2023 - 9:30am - 11:30am - CT Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting.

Register here. More information/agenda. Hosted by CT DEEP. Virtual.

SAVE DATES

April 3-4, 2023 - NERC's Spring Workshop: Recruiting, Hiring and Retaining A Diverse Workforce. Registration coming soon. Hosted by NERC. Virtual.

June 27, 2023 - - 9:30am - 11:30am - CT Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting. Register here. More information/agenda. Hosted by CT DEEP. Virtual.

October 24, 2023 - - 9:30am - 11:30am - CT Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting. Register here. More information/agenda. Hosted by CT DEEP. Virtual.