The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Regions 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10, are issuing this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to implement pollution prevention projects through the Source Reduction Assistance grant program. Source Reduction Assistance (SRA) grants can support research, investigation, experiments, surveys, studies, demonstration, education, and/or training using source reduction approaches (also known as “pollution prevention” or “P2”).

How Does EPA Define P2?

Pollution prevention is any practice which reduces the amount of any hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant entering any waste stream or otherwise released into the environment (including fugitive emissions) prior to recycling of discarded material, treatment, or disposal. P2 reduces the hazards to public health and the environment associated with the release of those substances, pollutants, or contaminants. P2 practices include equipment or technology modifications, process or procedure modifications, reformulation or redesign of products, and substitution of raw materials. EPA has also interpreted P2 as including practices that increase efficient use of water, energy, raw materials, or other resources that may protect natural resources through conservation methods, or in-process recycling (i.e., process improvements to reuse materials within the same business/facility in the production process). Reducing the amount of pollution in the environment means producing less waste to control, treat, or dispose. Less pollution means fewer hazards posed to public health and the environment.

The Regions are particularly interested in receiving applications for projects that promote practical source reduction practices, tools, and training on P2 approaches to measurably improve human and environmental health by reducing the use of hazardous substances, reducing toxic pollutants, reducing resource use (e.g., water and energy), and reducing expenditures and liability costs to businesses, non-profit organizations and/or communities. Suggested project types are provided below, but they are not an exhaustive list. The Regions welcome innovative, bold strategies designed to accelerate and drive P2 and source reduction.

The Regions are especially interested to support projects in the following priority areas:

1. Prevention of Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Carry out P2 projects that are designed to achieve measurable reductions of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and/or energy efficiency through source reduction techniques.
2. Hazardous Materials Source Reduction: Carry out research, studies, demonstrations, or training on approaches to hazardous materials source reduction activities that result in reduced generation and use of hazardous materials.
3. Innovative approaches to conservation of materials and resources: Carry out P2 projects to address pressing environmental challenges involving the reduction in the use of materials and natural resources such as energy or water.
4. Environmental Justice through P2 Actions: Carry out projects that support environmental justice for underserved communities. Environmental justice (EJ) is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

All projects must take place within the geographic boundaries of one of the EPA Regions announcing this solicitation (3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10).

https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/regional-and-geographic-offices