Recycling

Everyone is familiar with the recycling symbol (three chasing arrows), but many do not know that each of the arrows represents an important aspect critical to the success of recycling. The first is collecting recycled materials, the second is processing those materials and manufacturing them into new products, and the third is consumers buying recycled-content products. If any one of these elements is missing, the recycling circle is incomplete and recycling will not be an economically viable activity.

Related Region 8 links

Composting

Region 8 Source Reduction and Waste Prevention

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle: Produce Less Waste by Practicing the 3 Rs

Municipal Solid Waste in the United States - Facts and Figures

Contacts

EPA Region 8:
Recycling Market Development Coordinator
Kim Bartels
303-312-6346
Email: bartels.kim@epa.gov

Colorado
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division
Colorado Association for Recycling
Ecocycle
Colorado Recycles

Montana
Montana Department of Environmental Quality - Waste Reduction and Recycling Program

North Dakota
North Dakota Department of Health - Recycling Works
North Dakota Solid Waste Management Association

South Dakota
South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Recycling Program

Utah
Utah Department of Environmental Quality - Pollution Prevention
Utah Department of Environmental Quality - Household Waste Management
Recycling Coalition of Utah

Wyoming
Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality - Solid and Hazardous Waste

More Links

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP)
Jobs Through Recycling
Pay As You Throw
Product Stewardship
WasteWise
Buy Recycled/Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG)

EPA's Jobs Through Recycling (JTR) program
This program brings together the economic development and recycling communities through networking and information sharing. Through JTR, EPA supports projects designed to enhance business development, technical assistance, and financing efforts for recycling-related industries. This Web site provides recycling market development information for state and local officials, sources of technical and financial assistance for recycling businesses, and general information for visitors interested in learning more about JTR.

EPA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is one of 10 federal agencies that participate in the SBIR Program established by the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982. The purpose of this Act was to strengthen the role of small businesses in federally funded R&D and help develop a stronger national base for technical innovation. A small business is defined as a for profit organization with no more than 500 employees. In addition, the small business must be independently owned and operated, at least 51 percent owned by U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted resident aliens, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is proposing, and have its principal place of business in the United States. Joint ventures and limited partnerships are eligible for SBIR awards, provided the entity created qualifies as a small business.

Innovations Workgroup Grants
The Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) has set aside a limited amount of funding for regional and HQ program offices to develop new and creative approaches addressing OSWER's key priorities. Often times, however, good ideas are developed or enhanced through collaboration and partnership with co-regulators and external stakeholders.
EPA anticipates funding to be available for creative proposals testing innovative approaches to waste minimization, energy recovery, recycling, land revitalization, and homeland security related to chemical emergency, preparedness, and response that may be replicated across various sectors, industries, communities, and regions. It is anticipated that 12-20 proposals will be selected. Proposals can be submitted by EPA employees in OSWER headquarters or regional offices; public authorities (federal, state, interstate, intrastate, and local); public agencies and institutions; nonprofit private organizations, agencies, and institutions; academia; and federally recognized Tribes. All funds allocated under this program can be placed into Interagency Agreements (IAGs), contracts, cooperative agreements, or grants, depending upon the principal purpose of the transaction. A template has been developed to aid in the development of proposals.

Pollution Prevention Grants