Waste Diversion at EPA
EPA facilities minimize solid waste generation through source reduction, recycling, reuse or composting. Waste diversion also reduces disposal costs and the burden on landfills.
For many years, EPA has exceeded expectations by establishing and achieving higher waste diversion goals than required for federal agencies. The agency is poised to meet the goals specified in EO 14057, which state that federal agencies must achieve an annual waste diversion rate of at least 75 percent by 2030.
EPA offices and laboratories have effective waste management programs in place to make it easy and convenient for employees to reduce waste, recycle and compost. Over the years, they have implemented a variety of best practices. Examples include:
- Reducing paper use by removing personal printers, defaulting to double-sided printing, using good-on-one-side paper for scrap work, shifting to paperless practices, and using electronic platforms for document sharing and editing
- Holding office cleanouts to find unwanted supplies, equipment, and other materials that can be recycled or reused or potentially donated to schools, non-profits or other outside entities
- Strategically reducing plastic bags and trashcan liners through kick-the-can campaigns
- Promoting green conferences by using electronic handouts, reusable table tents, and reusable tableware
- Contacting various local vendors and organizations to identify entities that will accept and recycle non-standard items
Many facilities have established compostable collection programs to divert grass clippings, food waste and other organics from the waste stream. Some facilities even compost onsite and use that material in their landscaping.
EPA also has goals and strategies to reduce the waste generated when renovating or constructing new facilities. In addition to specifying recycled products, the agency strives to recycle construction and demolition debris with every project.