Regional Organization Receives EPA Grants

A regional organization that aims to reduce solid and hazardous waste has received two Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants totaling $95,000. The grants are part of the Resource Conservation Challenge, an EPA program to conserve natural resources and energy by managing materials more efficiently.

The Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association (NEWMOA) received both grants. The first is for $70,000 to fund an expansion to a database used by 13 states to determine if reuse of industrial byproducts is a viable alternative to traditional disposal. The other grant, for $25,000, will fund a project to look for more and better ways to recycle and reuse construction debris, specifically gypsum wallboard.

The first grant is focused on improving and expanding “beneficial use determination” (BUD) information from states included in a database on coal combustion byproducts, foundry sands, construction and demolition debris and other materials. The project builds on an existing database, developed by NEWMOA, by adding to the types of information available and by increasing the number of states with information in the database. The goal of this project is to increase the materials diverted from disposal to reuse/recycling by states that have BUD programs. NEWMOA will generate annual reports on tons of wastes diverted, materials reused and analysis of environmental benefits.

The second project, dealing with construction debris, is aimed at promoting more recycling and reuse of gypsum wallboard in New England from both new construction projects and demolition and remodeling projects. This three-year project encourages making a greater supply of gypsum wallboard scrap available to New England processors and ensuring that gypsum scrap is processed in an environmentally sound manner. This project would also encourage the use of products that incorporate recycled gypsum, such as new gypsum wallboard.

Although reuse and recycling of construction materials is increasingly common, used gypsum board presents a greater challenge. One the one hand, this product does not have as high a reuse value as other debris, like asphalt, brick, concrete and metals. And on the other hand, it creates a public health threat in landfill because it can generate hydrogen sulfide gas in landfills, according to a press release issued by the NEWMOA.

The Resource Conservation Challenge works to reduce waste, reuse and recycle more products, buy more recycled and recyclable produces and reduce toxic chemicals in waste. It works with states, industry and others to find ways to accomplish these goals.

The NEWMOA projects were among three in New England to be awarded grants this year from the Resource Recovery Challenge. To date, these types of grants have resulted in over 27,000 tons a year of waste recycled in New England. The bulk of this material comes from more than 300 supermarkets in Massachusetts that have begun composting their food scrap. Over the past five years, the EPA has invested $442,400 in projects in New England aimed at reducing waste and increasing waste reuse and recycling in New England through the Resource Conservation Challenge.

More information about the EPA’s Resources Conservation Challenge is available online at www.epa.gov/osw/rcc/index.htm.