Are there any programs available to guide community leaders with their community waste reduction goals?
EPA has several voluntary environmental programs. WasteWise is a voluntary partnership between EPA and U.S. businesses, Federal, tribal, state and local governments, and institutions to prevent waste, recycle, and buy and manufacture products made with recycled materials. Presently, more than 1,200 organizations are participating in the WasteWise program. In order to aid municipalities with Pay-As-You-Throw Programs, EPA provides technical and outreach assistance to encourage communities to implement PAYT systems for managing solid waste. Under PAYT, residents are charged based on the amount of trash they discard. This creates an incentive for them to generate less trash and recycle more. Currently, there are over 5,000 PAYT communities in the U.S. On average, communities with PAYT see waste reductions of 14 to 27%. For more information on the link between material solid waste and GHGs, visit the EPA Climate Change Website, and for more programs visit the EPA Voluntary Programs Website
