The Zero Food Waste Coalition (ZFWC) is excited to see the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dedicate $117 million in grants focused on recycling and wasted food prevention. It's an important step in addressing the 38% of food that goes unsold and uneaten in the U.S. and will help advance progress towards the national goal of a 50% reduction in food loss and waste by 2030.

The Recycling Education and Outreach Grant Program (REO) will provide $39 million to fund one cooperative agreement, which includes developing and implementing a national consumer wasted food reduction campaign, expanding the market for and sales of compost, and increasing education and outreach to households on composting.

The Coalition and its founding members have long called for a national consumer education and behavior change campaign, including in its US Food Loss and Waste Action Plan and in its Farm Bill report. Evidence indicates that a national education campaign has tremendous potential to impact consumer behavior and ZFWC is glad to see EPA take this next step by offering funding for a national campaign.

EPA also announced $78 Million for the next round of Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants. The goal of these grants is to improve post-consumer materials management programs and infrastructure.

To learn more about EPA’s Consumer Recycling Education and Outreach Grant Program, click here.

To learn more about EPA’s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program, click here.

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The Zero Food Waste Coalition aims to inform and influence policy at the local, state, and federal levels, and share policy updates and opportunities with partners and stakeholders around the country to bring consumers, businesses, and government together to make food loss and waste history. The Coalition was launched by NRDC, WWF, ReFED, and FLPC in April 2023, formalizing a partnership that began in January 2020.

CONTACT:
Zero Food Waste Coalition, zfwcoalition@gmail.com