Waste Reduction and Recovery

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

• Information on Funding Opportunities for Projects and Research Targeting Food Loss and Waste Prevention

• USDA’s Rural Development has developed a guide to programs that could potentially provide funding for food loss and waste reduction projects. USDA's National Institute of Agriculture (NIFA) has developed a guide to programs that provide funding for research on food loss and waste.

• USDA support page

U.S. General Services Administration

• Waste Reduction & Recycling

• Agency clients at the Denver Federal Center can count on GSA to seek cost effective and sustainable solutions to the challenges of waste management and recycling.

• GSA contact page

ReFed

• Restaurant Food Waste Solutions (Catalytic Grant Fund)

• ReFED is a national nonprofit dedicated to ending food loss and waste by advancing data-driven solutions. Their goal is to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030 in line with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals

Better Buildings US Dept of Energy

• Waste Reduction Network

• To support waste reduction efforts, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Better Buildings, Better Plants Waste Reduction Network brings industry-leading organizations together to demonstrate successful waste management solutions. This network complements the strides already made by Better Buildings and Better Plants partners, who have established waste reduction goals and diverted more than 1.8 million tons of waste from landfills

• Email Better Buildings

National Waste and recycling Association

• Provides assistance, advocacy, and connection between organizations

• The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) is the leading voice of the North American waste and recycling industry on advocacy, education and safety. The industry provides essential services that benefit our local communities and businesses by assisting our customers in achieving their environmental and sustainability aspirations.

• NWRA contact form

Plan RVA

• Don't Trash Central Virginia

• Plan RVA partners with localities in the Richmond region to promote litter prevention.

• Plan RVA contact page

Virginia Dept of Environmental Quality

• "Land & Waste"

• DEQ supports efforts to reduce waste and increase recycling at Virginia state agencies and institutions. DEQ's Office of Pollution Prevention provides technical assistance to help agencies and institutions find opportunities for waste reduction and implement strong waste diversion programs at their facilities.

• DEQ general contact page

National Waste & Recycling Association

• The Virginia Waste Industries Association

• ASSIST members in understanding and responding to complex and rapidly changing legislative and regulatory requirements that affect their business through advocacy and information sharing

• NWRA contact page

The Center for EcoTechnology

• Food waste program partner

• The Center for EcoTechnology (CET) is building relationships in Virginia with stakeholders that are interested in addressing wasted food.

• CET question form

Keep VA Beautiful

• Litter Prevention

• Empower your community to tackle litter issues head-on with our Cleanup Kits, designed to jumpstart your efforts in maintaining a cleaner environment. Additionally, KVBs Sustainability Sampler Kits provide practical alternatives to single-use plastics, making sustainable living accessible and manageable for all. Join KVB in making a difference, one swap at a time, as they strive towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for generations to come.

• Email KVB

Virginia Dept of Environmental Quality

• Waste Reduction

• DEQ supports efforts to reduce waste and increase recycling at Virginia state agencies and institutions. DEQ's Office of Pollution Prevention provides technical assistance to help agencies and institutions find opportunities for waste reduction and implement strong waste diversion programs at their facilities.

• DEQ general contact page

Virginia Dept of Environmental Quality

• Executive Order 17

• (EO 17), was issued by Governor Glenn Youngkin on April 7, 2022. EO 17 seeks to increase awareness of the importance of recycling, reducing food waste, and encouraging the use of post-consumer recycled materials in manufacturing.

• DEQ general contact page

Enrich Compost

• Compost collection service

• Encourage conscious waste choices to avoid overflowing landfills and air pollution. Instead, divert food and lawn scraps into compost with Enrich Compost. They collaborate with local businesses and Richmond residents committed to climate action and reducing their footprint.

• Enrich Compost Contact Page

• After 2 months of service, subscribers qualify to receive compost. Members get a bucket of finished, ready to use compost once per year (in spring-summer months). 

RVA zero waste

• RVA zero waste initiative

• We are a grassroots volunteer organization in Richmond Virginia (affectionately known as RVA) dedicated to the promotion of recycling, reuse, composting and source reduction with the ultimate goal of zero waste. Formed at the Sustainable RVA conference in fall of 2014, the initiative is part of the greater Sustainable RVA project.

• RVA Zero Watse Contact Form

City of Richmond - Department of Public Works

• Trash Collection

• The Department of Public Works collects and disposes of solid waste. Ninety routes, comprised of 65,000 residences and small businesses are serviced.

• Email Public Works

The CVWMA

• Electronics Recycling

• CVWMA partners with the City of Richmond on programs for recycling and waste management, including curbside and drop-off recycling, electronics recycling and household hazard waste collections.

• Email CVWMA

Scrap Creative Reuse

• CREATIVE REUSE CENTER

• We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire creative reuse and environmentally sustainable behavior by providing educational programs and affordable materials to the community.

• Call Scrap Creative Reuse

Pop Up Stop

• Annual popup clothing exchange

• Pop Up Stop is an educational and outreach program dedicated to reducing the amount of unwanted clothing and textiles ending up in landfills or incineration. Based in Richmond, Virginia, we are dedicated to reducing textile waste within the city. We are encouraging and inviting surrounding areas to learn more about the environmental impacts of the textiles we wear and use every day

Richmond Grows Gardens

• Richmond Compost Initiative

• The City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities (PCRF) has been selected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service to receive a $90,000 grant to launch a community composting pilot program. The initiative seeks to divert food waste from the landfill by providing options for composting at convenient drop-off locations and cycle that organic waste into high-quality compost.

• Email Richmond Grows Gardens

City of Richmond - RVA H20

• How to Properly Dispose of Hazardous Waste

• Household hazardous waste (HHW) is any material that can harm our environment when it’s not handled properly. Common examples of household hazardous waste include turpentine, fuel, coolant, batteries, pesticides, herbicides, cleaners, paints, and even electrical devices. Help eliminate environmental harm by reading warning labels and disposing of hazardous products properly. If you don’t, these household hazardous waste products can contaminate septic tanks, pollute the environment, and pose a threat to overall human health.

• RVA H2O Contact Page

City of Richmond - Department of Public Works

• Clean City Commission

• The Richmond Clean City Commission is composed of City Council appointees and concerned volunteers who help clean and beautify Richmond. Their current program, "Pride in Richmond is Picking Up," includes Neighborhood Volunteer Clean-Ups, Graffiti Abatement, and Adopt-A-Spot.

• Email Public Works

NOPE Composting CO.

• Composting Company

• Virginia food scrap collection & composting services