Education
This priority emphasizes the need for increased awareness of waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting programs. Examples are projects that reduce contamination in curbside and drop-off recycling programs and municipalities developing policies or ordinances that require recycling in contracts or at public events.
End-Market Development
Projects that support the development of new markets, expansion of existing markets and local manufacturing of products from recovered materials generated in our region. Projects can include studies or equipment necessary to create or expand recycled material production including equipment specifically needed to remanufacture recyclable materials into bulk raw material or finished products.
Waste Reduction and Reuse
Examples of projects include community-based programs such as repair clinics, lending libraries, food rescue operations, and the replacement of disposable items, such as paper plates, with durable dishware, and other projects that emphasize repurposing.
Hard-To-Recycle Items
Hard-to-recycle items are materials that cannot be recycled at the curb or at a drop-off recycling center. Examples include the collection, processing, and end markets for materials such as Styrofoam™, porcelain, carpet, clean gypsum wallboard, furniture, and rigid plastics such as buckets and outdoor playsets.
Organics Management
Organics refers to food waste generated by residences and businesses and landscape waste such as tree limbs, shrubbery, and leaves. Examples are projects that address infrastructure, residential and commercial collection, education on food waste diversion, and end markets for organics composting or the rescue of food that otherwise would be landfilled. Market development for organics may include landscaping, erosion control and carbon sequestration projects that use compost products.
Construction and Demolition Waste
Projects which effectively address the diversion of construction and demolition materials. Examples include diversion of materials such as wood, metal, glass, concrete and fixtures from residential and commercial construction and renovation projects. Deconstruction, policy development, and education are additional measures for addressing the diversion of these materials.
Business and Multi-Family Dwelling Recycling
Recycling and composting infrastructure for businesses, apartment buildings, condominiums, hotels, and municipal buildings. Materials for diversion might include cardboard, glass, and food waste. Other project examples are policy development for new construction and education.
Events
Projects which implement waste reduction, composting and recycling practices at large scale events. Examples include internal infrastructure improvements at large event spaces, policy development, and coordination efforts. This priority is new considering the World Cup is coming to Kansas City in 2026.
