These Sustainable Materials Management, or SMM, resources were gathered as part of a two-year SMM grant project that was awarded to PPI by EPA Region 7 in October 2021.
SMM is an EPA-sponsored program that offers a systematic approach to using and reusing materials more productively over their entire life cycle. It involves making more informed choices about the materials we use, their production, consumption, management, and disposal.
Adopting SMM practices can reduce waste, promote conservation, and support economic growth, which ultimately helps the nation build a circular economy.
Maps for improving materials management
- EPA Excess Food Opportunities Map - Map of national excess and wasted food producers and receivers
- EPA Excess Food Opportunities Map - Map of national excess and wasted food producers and receivers
- MARC Kansas City Regional Food System Map - Map of excess food opportunities in the Kansas City metro area
Toolkits and guides
- ReFED Solutions Database - Excess and wasted food diversion opportunities and their estimated impacts
- EPA Model Recycling Program Toolkit - Searchable toolkit to find resources, like case studies and education materials, for many different materials types and disposal pathways.
- Seven Generations Ahead Zero Waste Schools Toolkit - Online toolkit to help schools get to zero waste, complete with educational materials, webinar recordings, templates, and more
- EPA food loss prevention options for schools, manufacturers, restaurants, universities and grocery stores
- Federal Liability Protection For Food Donation: Legal Fact Sheet - Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic fact sheet on food donation liability protection
- The Recycling Partnership: What Can I Recycle? - Learn what items can be recycled at facilities near you
- PPI's Trash the Trash: Guide for hosting a litter pickup at your facility - Tips to help organize a pickup event and reduce escaped trash
- EPA Managing and Reducing Wastes: A Guide for Commercial Buildings - Resources and tools for reducing waste generated by office buildings, schools, stores, hotels, restaurants, etc.
Videos
- College Food Waste Webinar - PPI's Jacob Larson and guests from two Kansas colleges explore food waste in higher education
- K-12 Food Waste Webinar - PPI hosts a panel of speakers to explore school food waste
- #OneThing4Earth- Food Waste - Tips to reduce food waste
- #OneThing4Earth- Plastic - Tips to reduce plastic usage and waste
Other helpful links and organizations
- In the Loop with EPA - Circular Economy Updates (Newsletter) - Material-related news and funding opportunities from EPA and others
- Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic
- Product Stewardship Institute
- ReFED
- Reuse Wood
- The Recycling Partnership
- WWF