Reuse and Waste Prevention Resources

Defining "reuse" in the policy context: And why it's important

Thanks to the tireless work of the reuse movement, there is growing recognition that reuse is a win-win — it’s great for the planet, great for communities, and great for businesses, too. And because of this growing recognition, state and federal policymakers are — finally — not just talking about recycling anymore. Reuse is included in some way in all four of the packaging EPR laws that have passed in the US since 2021 (in ME, OR, CO, and CA). And we are also starting to see reuse incorporated into upgrades to existing deposit-return-systems (or DRS) — like in Maine, where they’ve recently allocated a portion of funding from unredeemed deposits to go toward activities and infrastructure to support reusable and refillable beverage containers.

With all this excitement and activity, Upstream published principles for how best to incorporate reuse into EPR and DRS legislation last spring. One of these principles is to properly define “reuse.” One-page PDF Fact Sheet from Upstream

The Pacific Coast Food Waste Commitment released two case studies from its “whole chain” project, which tracks loss and waste from production through retail for a specific food.

Read the case studies on frozen potatoes and fresh strawberries.  

Waste Prevention, Recovery and Diversion Resources

Don’t Spoil the Soil:

The Challenge of Contamination at Composting Sites

The Composting Consortium and the Center for the Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners, released a report entitled Don’t Spoil the Soil: The Challenge of Contamination at Composting Sites. The report follows an in-field study at 10 composting facilities in the U.S. which measured and characterized contamination and analyzed the financial costs of managing contamination.

Download the full report 

ReFED is offering restaurants the opportunity to

pilot food waste solutions for free

Selected restaurants will work with a food waste solutions provider in summer 2024 to test a food waste reduction, donation, or food waste recycling model that best fits their operations.

Restaurants can learn more and apply on ReFED's website 

2024 CRC Webinar Series

What do we recycle in Connecticut?

This series of CRC workshops is intended to help Connecticut’s Recycling Coordinator’s and other professionals to engage with the public for improved outreach and education to enhance Connecticut’s recycling stream.  

Wednesdays from 12:00pm-1:30pm on Zoom

 March 27th– Plastics

April 10th – Paper/Fibers

April 24th – Glass & Metal

May 8th - Contamination and hard to manage material

(batteries, gas cylinders, plastic film etc.)

May 22nd - Organics

Free to members, $30 per session for non-members

Registration

Funding Resources

EPA Announces $4.6 Billion in

Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Across Two Competitions,

Deadlines April 1 and May 1, 2024

EPA made 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 will 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 GHG emissions. Measures that address waste and materials management are within the scope. 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. 

More information,

• General Competition Notice of Funding Opportunity: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/350252
• Tribes and Territories Competition NOFO: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/350253
• Climate Pollution Reduction Grant website: https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/climate-pollution-reduction-grants

Institute for Local Self-Reliance

Composting for Community Mini Grants 

ILSR is offering grants of $5,000-$20,000 to community composting projects in New

England coastal states. Eligible programs are led by or serving Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), located in Tribal communities or work in a historically excluded neighborhood. 

Application deadline: April 2, 2024. 

Learn more about this opportunity. 

USDA Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grants 

USDA’s Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production grants support planning and

implementation activities to initiate or expand projects in urban and suburban areas related to food production, food access, education, policy, agricultural businesses, job training, best practices for composting and soil health, and more. Eligible entities include units of local and Tribal governments including cities, school districts, or housing authorities, and non-profit organizations.  

Application deadline: April 9, 2024. 



Learn more about this funding opportunity. 

EPA Environmental and Climate Justice

Community Change Grants Program 

EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights is awarding approximately $2 billion in Community Change Grants to fund community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation. Funds for this grant program were made available by the Inflation Reduction Act. Eligible entities include partnerships between two

community-based organizations (CBOs) or a partnership between a CBO and a local

government, Federally-Recognized Tribe, or institute of higher education.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. 

Objectives of the grant program are:  

1. 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. 

2. 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. 

3. Unlock access to additional and more significant resources to advance environmental and climate justice goals from across the federal government and other sources. 

4. Empower communities and strengthen their capacity to drive meaningful positive change on the ground for years to come. 

5. Strengthen community participation in government decision-making processes that impact them. 

Application Deadline: November 21, 2024 

Initial Award Selections: March 2024 

Read full Notice of Funding Opportunity. 

View Frequently Asked Questions about the Community Change Grants program. 

Reports, Surveys & Other Resources

SustainableCT Coffee Hour:

The Art, Science and "Magic" of Recycling Education

MARCH 15, 2024

10:00 AM TO 11:00 AM

Join SustainableCT for an engaging Coffee Hour focusing on the art, science and “magic” of recycling education. Cyril "CJ" May, Refuse/Recycling Coordinator for the City of Waterbury, brings a wealth of experience and insights into sustainable waste practices and public outreach. From standard practices like door knocking to more elaborate, innovative strategies like recycling magic shows, our host, and perhaps a special guest, will be available to share their perspectives on how to engage in effective recycling outreach. CJ will cover 1) best ways to use traditional recycling education methods, 2) some new “best practices” as well as 3) outside-the-box magic tools useful to magician and “muggle” alike. Don't miss this opportunity to caffeinate, connect, learn, and be inspired! Learn more about CJ’s “enviromagic” outside of Waterbury at www.betterworldmagic.com.

Register and Learn More

Solid Waste Advisory Committee Meeting

MARCH 26, 2024

9:30am - 11:30am

Agenda will include:

USTMA's Efforts to Implement the Tire EPR Law

Resa Dimino, RRS and John Sheeran, USTMA

Soda Stream's Gas Cylinder Program

Robert Hedwall, Soda Stream

EV Car Battery Recycling

Jason Muccioli, Ascend Elements

Register Here

Composting State of Practice:

Results from a National Operations Survey

The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) released a new report, Composting State of Practice: Results from a National Operations Survey. Conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Composting Council and Desert Research Institute, the survey received responses from over 300 composting facilities.

Download the full report

Get the Foam Out!

RIDE (RI Department of Education) establishes a $5 million program to support schools in eliminating Styrofoam from their school meal programs

It is estimated that RI schools use up to 11.5 million Styrofoam trays per school year. This represents a significant amount of waste going to the landfill on a daily basis. According to the RI Resource Recovery Corporation, at current loading rates the Central Landfill will reach capacity in 2043. Consistent with State Priorities, RIDE’s Strategic Plan, and Rhode Island General Law, the Rhode Island Department of Education has created a new initiative in FY 2024 that will enable schools to reduce their carbon footprints through the elimination of Styrofoam foodservice materials. This $5 million program allows RIDE to offer grant funding to schools around the state that, when combined with existing Federal funding streams, will ensure that schools can best leverage available funding to make meaningful investments into their schools, our students, and the environment. This support will help RI schools comply with the new Styrofoam ban, which goes into effect on January 1, 2025.

Find out more including resources, webinars, application information: https://ride.ri.gov/child-nutrition/get-foam-out

First-of-Its-Kind Study by the Composting Consortium Analyzes Contamination Rates Across U.S. Composting Facilities

2/28/2024 Composting Consortium

The report examines five commonly held assumptions about compost contamination and shares first-of-its-kind data on the amount of contamination at U.S. composting facilities, as well as the significant cost to manage it. This report helps pave the way for a circular future for organics, turning food waste into a valuable resource and relieving composters from the burden of contamination.

View press release: https://www.closedlooppartners.com/first-of-its-kind-study-by-the-composting-consortium-reveals-contamination-rates-across-u-s-composting-facilities/

Website: https://www.closedlooppartners.com/contamination-pilot/

Report on Composting Practices in the U.S.

The report, based on responses from over 300 composting facilities, provides valuable insights into the design capacities, production levels, and regional trends in organic material composting. It is a crucial resource for understanding the dynamics of the U.S. composting industry in 2024.

Website: https://www.compostingcouncil.org/page/growyourcompostbusiness#:~:text=Report%20on%20Composting%20Practices%20in%20the%20U.S.

Download report: https://www.compostingcouncil.org/page/Report-on-Composting-Practices-in-the_US

ReFED Launches Business Services Resources for Waste-Generating

Food Businesses

2/27/2024 ReFED blog

Reducing food waste throughout business operations can benefit the climate, the environment, and the bottom line. But businesses don't always know where to start.

That’s where ReFED Business Services comes in.

Designed to help businesses build the case for addressing food waste in their operations, ReFED Business Services encompasses a set of products and services that allows clients to take action and implement food waste reduction strategies and programs. By utilizing these products and services, businesses can break down organizational barriers, foster creativity, and open doors for collaboration and partnership across the food system.

ReFED Business Services employs a three-pronged approach to guide businesses to adopt and scale high-impact solutions:

• Custom Analytics – which leverages the ReFED Insights Engine – identifies the sources and the financial, social, and environmental impacts of waste in business operations, providing a data-driven foundation to access prioritized, actionable solutions.
• Capacity Building offerings provide businesses with the latest resources, guidance, and strategies that drive change and enable companies to address food waste proactively, fostering a culture of sustainability.
• Advisory Services provide tailored strategic guidance that addresses the unique challenges of each business, unlocking additional food waste reduction pathways that have environmental, social, and financial impact.

Full blog post can be found here: https://refed.org/articles/refed-launches-business-services-resources-for-waste-generating-food-businesses/

International Compost Awareness Week

May 5 - May 11 2024

Theme for 2024:

COMPOST ... Nature's Climate Champion        

International Compost Awareness Week 

Some Resources to Promote:

The Compost Story

Celebrate ICAW Manual

Sample Press Release for ICAW 2024

For Teachers

Compost Resources

2023 Plug & Play Social Media Toolkit

International Press Release

International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is the largest and most comprehensive education initiative of the compost industry. It is celebrated nationwide and in other countries each year during the first full week of May. The goal of ICAW is to work together to raise public awareness on why we all should be composting our organics and using compost to create healthier soil. The program includes poster and video contests in the fall and activities and events held during the week in May. Throughout the week of ICAW, events are held all over the country and the world with community, school, government and business planning different activities to encourage and celebrate composting – all types of composting – from backyard to large–scale.

Missed the last Newsletter or recent Webinar?

Check out the

Archived Municipal Recycling Coordinator E-News and Webinars

on the CT DEEP webpage.

 Upcoming Events: 

MARCH 2024

March 13, 2024 - 1:00 - 2:00pm - Siting Considerations for Anaerobic Digesters webinar. More information here.. Hosted by NERC and NEWMOA.

March 14, 2024 - CT Compost Conference. More information here. Connecticut College, New London, CT. Hosted by the CT Compost Alliance.

March 16, 2024 - 3:00pm - What's IN, What's OUT recycling workshop. Woodbridge Town Library, Woodbridge, CT.

March 19, 2024 - 2024 MassRecycle Conference & Trade Show. More information here. Marlborough, MA. Hosted by MassRecycle.

March 20, 2024 - 1:00pm - Tackling Tire Waste: EPR Solutions and Success Stories webinar. More information here. Hosted by Product Stewardship Institute.

March 21, 2024 - 11:30am - What's IN, What's OUT recycling workshop. Bristol Public Library, Bristol, CT. Hosted by the Bristol Garden Club.

March 21, 2024 - 6:30pm - Backyard Composting Workshop. Comstock Ferre building, Wethersfield, CT. More information here. Hosted by the Friends of Kycia Farm.

March 26, 2024 - 9:30am - 11:30am - CT Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting. More information/agenda. Hosted by CT DEEP. Virtual.

March 26, 2024 - 1:00pm - Rebuilding Confidence in Recycling webinar. More information here. Hosted by Busch Systems.

March 26, 2024 - 3:00pm - Food Recovery Network's Biannual Roundtable Talk webinar. More information here Hosted by the Food Recovery Network.

March 27, 2024 - 1:00 - 2:00pm - Anaerobic Digestion Facilities: Operators' Perspectives on Siting and More webinar. More information here. Hosted by NERC and NEWMOA.

APRIL 2024

April 2 - 4, 2024 - Northeast Conference on the Science of PFAS: Public Health & the Environment, Marlborough, MA. More information here. Hosted by NEWMOA, NEIWPCC, NESCAUM and NERC.

April 3, 2024 - How Food Recovery Network's Data is Driving Impact webinar. More information here. Hosted by Food Recovery Network.

April 5, 2024 - Recovered Food as a Pathway to Social Justice. Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT. More information here. Hosted by SCSU, Haven's Harvest and CT DEEP.

April 6, 2024 - 11:00am - 3:00pm - ReThink Waste Fair. Christ Church Greenwich, Greenwich, CT. More information here. Hosted by Waste Free Greenwich.

April 9, 2024 - 6:30pm - 7:30pm - Food Waste Solutions. Russell Library, Middletown, CT. More information here. Hosted by Middletown Recycling.

April 10, 2024 - 1:00 - 2:00pm - Environmental Justice in Anaerobic Digestion: Green Solutions, Just Outcomes webinar. More information here. Hosted by NERC and NEWMOA.

April 10, 2024 - 9:00am - 2:00pm - EBC 10th Annual New England Regional "Talking Trash" Conference: Innovation & Investment. Lowell, MA. More information here. Hosted by EBC.

April 15, 2024 - 7:00pm - 8:00pm - Food Matters: Impacts & Solutions in Greenwich. More information here. Hosted by Waste Free Greenwich.

April 16 - 17, 2024 - Food Waste Diversion & Composting Series, Concord, NH. More information here. Hosted by NRRA.

April 16 - 18, 2024 - NYS Organics Summit, Buffalo, NY. More information here. Hosted by NYSAR.

April 24, 2024 - 7:00pm - Food Waste Solutions presentation. Miller Memorial Library, Hamden, CT. More information here. Hosted by the Hamden Earth Day Committee.

April 30, 2024 - 6:00pm - What's IN, What's OUT recycling workshop. Oxford Public Library, Oxford, CT. More information here. Hosted by the Oxford Public Library.

April 30 - May 1, 2024 - NERC Spring Conference, King of Prussia, PA. More information here.

SAVE DATES

June 3 & 4, 2024 - Next Level Recycling NRRA conference & Expo, Concord, New Hampshire. More information here.

June 11–13, 2024 - 2024 ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit. Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland. More information here. Early-bird pricing until January 19, 2024. 

June 25, 2024 - 9:30am - 11:30am - CT Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting. More information/agenda. Hosted by CT DEEP. Virtual.