Sustainable Materials Management Division Organization Award

The SMM Technical Division focuses on approaches and methods to reduce waste and disposal and increase recycling. We aim to meet them by capturing high quantity wastes more effectively and efficiently through conversion of these materials into marketable, useable commodities and products that yield substantial economic and environmental benefits.

Entries will be evaluated based on the EPA’s strategic sustainable materials management program objectives:

1. Decrease Disposal Rate—Focus is on tracking and reducing the overall amount of materials disposed, which would encompass activities targeting source reduction, reuse, recycling and prevention.
2. Reduce Environmental Impacts of Materials—Focus is on the entire life cycle, including greenhouse gas emissions and reductions in water and energy use.
3. Increase socioeconomic benefits—Focus is on tracking and reporting material impacts on the economy as well as social aspects.
4. Increase capacity of government, communities and stakeholders to adopt and implement SMM policies, practices and incentives—Focus is on increasing the per capita quantity and quality of recyclables recovered for manufacturing and increasing the number of households with access to both recycling and organics collection. Examples of elements to be included in an application for the Sustainable Materials Management Award are:
   • The Built Environment – how lifecycle SMM concepts were incorporated into the built environment marketplace; advanced climate adaptation and community resilience efforts; and improved or enhanced data and measurement of C&D and industrial by-product materials.
   • Sustainable Food Management – infrastructure to support alternatives to landfill disposal of wasted food; opportunities across the entire food life cycle to reduce wasted food from landfills; and measurements of wasted food.
   • Sustainable Purchasing – work with governments, communities, and key stakeholders as strategic partners; and research, data collection and measurement for packaging.

Past Sustainable Materials Management TD Award Winners