EPA Region 5 is soliciting proposals that address the national Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC) priorities of increasing recycling of municipal solid waste, construction and demolition debris, and industrial materials in Region 5 [Region 5 comprises Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin]. Specific Region 5 priorities are listed in the full text under I. Funding Opportunity Description. This funding supports EPA’s strategic goal of land preservation and restoration. Applicants are encouraged to partner and collaborate with other organizations involved in similar efforts.
EPA solid waste grants generally fund program development or pilot projects which promote waste reduction, recycled-content products, markets for recycled materials, or assist in the development of solid waste management plans and the clean up of open dumping. EPA solid waste funds may pay for a new position, contractor support, the development and printing of public outreach materials, supplies, minor equipment purchases, and project-related travel (e.g., to conduct or attend workshops). Please note that EPA solid waste funds generally cannot pay for large equipment purchases or be used for building or construction.
Special focus area for this solicitation:
1. Mid-Western Collaboration to Support Byproduct Synergy: Byproduct Synergy
(BPS) programs bring businesses, institutions, and governments in a geographic area
together to explore options for improving materials management. They involve
transforming waste from one organization into a feedstock for another process. BPS can
be implemented on its own or as part of a broader industrial ecology or sustainability
program. Implementing organizations vary and include not-for-profits, Manufacturing
Extension Program Centers, academic institutions, and government agencies. Proposals
addressing this priority must increase the effectiveness of byproduct synergy efforts in
Region 5 by:
1. supporting a collaboration of Region 5 byproduct synergy programs
2. developing and piloting a process or system to reduce duplication across
programs and allow sharing of knowledge and expertise on synergies, materials,
and technical and regulatory issues and
3. developing and piloting a data management system that will allow BPS programs
across the region to consistently track environmental and economic results of their
programs.
Projects should also include a plan for long term maintenance and improvement of the
collaboration and systems. Proposals should establish a method for measuring any
improvement in effectiveness of participating byproduct synergy efforts in EPA Region
5. Effectiveness can be measured by increases in service by an individual BPS program
that resulted in a greater number of synergies implemented, increase in waste diverted
from disposal, increase in number of partners, increase in number of jobs created or
retained, increase in economic investment, increase in staff level for program
implementation, or other measures determined by the applicant.
2. Collaborative demonstration project to evaluate use of recycled materials in
roadways or infrastructure: Demonstration projects can provide information needed
by statewide agencies to develop specifications for the use of recycled materials in
roadways and infrastructure. Proposals addressing this priority should increase the
knowledge, understanding, and experience with using recycled materials in construction
of roads or infrastructure in Region 5 by working collaboratively with Region 5 State
Departments of Transportation, Tollway Authorities, Turnpike Commissions and other
statewide or interested local road commissions to identify, design, plan, develop a
funding mechanism for, and initiate a demonstration project that will evaluate the use of
at least 2 recycled materials OR at least 2 different uses of recycled materials AND
produce results that will be acceptable by a majority of the stakeholders to ensure that the
results will be broadly useful for decision-making purposes and development of needed
specifications. Proposals addressing this priority should include:
1. a plan for identifying and engaging stakeholders
2. an approach for identifying materials/applications of interest to stakeholders and
technical issues to be addressed by a demonstration project
3. an approach ensuring interest, support, and acceptance of results by a majority of
the stakeholders.
4. a plan for ensuring the results of the demonstration project are shared with
stakeholders, including those involved with specification development.
5. a plan for developing a funding mechanism for the demonstration.
6. an approach for estimating the current use of the selected materials in Region 5.
Selected materials and applications should be of interest to a majority of the statewide
stakeholders and include at least one of the following materials: foundry sand, postconsumer
asphalt shingles, coal combustion products, recycled concrete aggregate from
external sources, or tires. It must also avoid duplication of other demonstration projects
conducted in similar climates outside of Region 5.
3. Innovative Materials Management at Large Sports Venues: Many opportunities
exist to improve materials management at large professional sports venues (i.e., stadiums,
arenas, tracks with fan capacity greater than 18,000). Encouraging materials reduction,
reuse, recycling, and composting at these facilities can also enhance community waste
reduction programs and capacity. Proposals addressing this priority should demonstrate
and evaluate a new or innovative approach(es) to materials management at a large
professional sports venue(s) in Region 5. Projects can include, but are not limited to, one
or more of the following:
1. working with vendors and/or suppliers to improve sound materials management
with respect to the purchasing, use or recycling/composting of food containers,
food and beverages, souvenirs, packaging, etc.
2. using recycled materials in operations, catering, or construction
3. enhancing a permanent (not a one-time event) recycling and/or food/organics
waste composting program
Proposals should include an estimate of the potential tons of material to be composted,
recycled, reused, and/or rebought during the project period and then annually thereafter.
Projects should demonstrate environmental results by the end of the project period and
provide a method for quantifying environmental improvements (including tons of
material composted, recycled, etc.); financial costs or savings associated with
implementation of the materials management practices; and, if applicable, an analysis of
the potential for jobs creation or loss. Applicants are encouraged to build on existing
tools and resources related to materials management at venues. Projects that address
fan/participant education as a component are encouraged.
Current Closing Date for Applications:
Apr 27, 2010
Funding Instrument Type:
Cooperative Agreement Grant
Estimated Total Program Funding: $100,000
Award Ceiling: $50,000
Award Floor: $15,000
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:
No
Eligible ApplicantsState governments
County governments
City or township governments
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Private institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
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