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National Priorities
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
In an effort to better focus our resources and make progress towards our goals, EPA has identified four national focus areas or priorities for the Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC):
- Municipal Solid Waste Recycling: EPA has set a national goal of recycling 35% of US municipal solid waste, starting with a focus on key waste streams of paper, food scraps and yard trimmings, and packaging/containers.
- Industrial Materials Recycling: Industrial non-hazardous wastes that can be recycled and reused are key to resource conservation. EPA is focusing on three industrial non-hazardous wastes: coal combustion products; construction and demolition materials; and foundry sand.
- Priority and Toxic Chemical Reductions: Priority and toxic chemicals make up a fairly limited volume, yet potentially hazardous portion of the nation’s waste stream. EPA has designated 31 priority chemicals as Federal priorities because they are persistent, bioaccumulative, and highly toxic.
- Green Initiative — Electronics: Computers and other electronic products are the fastest-growing (and among the least-recycled) components of the US waste stream. EPA is focused initially on personal computers, televisions, and cell phones.
In selecting these areas, we considered several factors:
- Current and future Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goals in the Agency’s Strategic Plan;
- Areas of significant partnerships with non-governmental stakeholders; and
- Existing coordinated efforts by EPA regions and states.
From these criteria and based on current resources, we determined that the four areas would be the national focus of the RCC. These areas do not define the sum of all activities going on within the RCC. We anticipate that much of the important on-going work being accomplished by the EPA and the states will continue. However, the above four areas will be the RCC’s national core priorities.