MSW Programs

EPA's goals for the nation are to:

Recycle 35 percent of MSW generated;
Reduce waste generation to 4.3 pounds per person per day;
Empower state, local, and tribal governments to better manage solid waste;
Provide leadership in source reduction and recycling;
Build stronger public and private partnerships; and
Ensure the environmental soundness of source reduction, recycling, combustion, and land disposal.

To learn more about EPA's programs and initiatives on municipal solid waste (MSW), please visit these Web pages:

Buy Recycled (Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines, CPG) provides the latest information on EPA guidelines for the procurement of recycled-content products. Buying recycled helps "close the recycling loop" by putting the materials we collect through recycling programs back to good use as products in the marketplace.
Climate Change describes the connection between waste management and greenhouse gas emissions. The site provides information on innovative waste management activities across the country that help mitigate climate change. It also provides tools and publications that help practitioners calculate the greenhouse gas emissions from their waste management activities.
Coal Combustion Products Partnership (C2P2) program is a cooperative effort between EPA, the coal combustion products (CCP) industry, and partners to help promote the beneficial use of CCPs and the associated environmental, economic, and performance benefits. Through the C2P2 Program, EPA and its cosponsors, the American Coal Ash Association and the Utility Solid Waste Activities Group, are working with agencies at both the federal and state levels, as well as industry organizations, to reduce or eliminate legal, institutional, economic, market, informational, and other barriers to the beneficial use of CCPs.
Composting is the biological decomposition of organic materials, such as paper, food wastes, yard trimmings, and wood, to produce a rich, soil-like product. The Web site provides publications and valuable information on composting, innovative uses of compost, community composting strategies, and case studies.
Greenscapes Alliance aims to combine government and industry efforts to have influence over the reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste materials in large land use applications. These land use activities include 4 million miles of roadside landscaping, Brownfields land revitalization, and the beautification and maintenance of office complexes, golf courses, and parks.
Extended Product Responsibility (EPR) is a principle that challenges suppliers, designers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, customers, recyclers, and disposers of products to share responsibility for the life cycle impacts of the entire product system. EPA is working with these groups; research institutions; and federal, state, and local governments to advance the understanding and implementation of EPR principles. The Web site describes developments in EPR both nationally and internationally, and provides links to related EPA programs and other resources for more information.
Full Cost Accounting (FCA) is an accounting practice that can help local governments identify, assess, and manage the actual costs of MSW programs. FCA can help make informed decisions about MSW operations, facilitate cost-saving efforts, and better plan for the future. The Web site contains publications, contacts and links, and questions and answers on FCA.
Jobs Through Recycling (JTR) stimulates economic growth and recycling market development by targeting businesses and entrepreneurs who want to process or manufacture recycled content products. The JTR program brings together the economic development and recycling communities through grants, networking, and information sharing.
Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) (also known as unit pricing or variable-rate pricing) describes community MSW programs that charge residents for the collection of MSW based on the amount they throw away. This creates a direct economic incentive for individuals to recycle more and to generate less waste. The PAYT Web site contains all the information needed to start a PAYT program.
Plug-In To eCycling aims to increase the safe recycling of old consumer electronics by providing incentives to manufacturers and retailers to provide more support for eCycling. Private sector partners have committed to make more recycling opportunities available to the public.
Recycling Measurement provides information to help state and local government officials learn more about a voluntary, standard methodology for measuring recycling rates. Available documents describe how to develop a measurement program including worksheets, sample survey forms, community examples, and other useful tools.
Waste Management in Indian Country provides information to help tribes address MSW management needs. Readers can download funding guides, technical documents, educational materials, and more. The Web site describes MSW regulations, new developments, upcoming conferences, valuable links, and tribes' successful programs.
WasteWise is an EPA partnership program through which organizations reduce MSW, benefitting their bottom line and the environment. Readers can learn about the program, discover effective waste reduction strategies, see how partners are making a difference, and download or view the latest WasteWise publications.

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