EPA awards money for pollution prevention

SEATTLE - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Region 10 office in Seattle awarded $335,000 for pollution prevention in Seattle, Portland, Boise, and the Kalispel tribe.

Healthy, Resilient, and Sustainable Communities grant projects support seven pollution prevention and sustainability projects aimed at making communities safer, healthier, and more resilient, according to a spokesperson.

"These initial projects showcase a creativity and commitment to pollution prevention and sustainability that will make a lasting difference at the local level. Congratulations to the selected projects," said Michelle Pirzadeh, administrator.

The projects include Our United Villages, which provides salvaged building materials to homeowners in Portland who can't afford the necessary repairs.

Grocery Challenge is to increase access to Safer Choice certified chemical products through employee and shopper education.

The EPA's Safer Choice labeling program provides small businesses assistance in certifying products and offers rebates to businesses to offset the cost.

The South King County Tool Library in Seattle offers tool loans, repair of products, materials, and pollution prevention outreach and education.

The Kalispel Indian Community can divert food waste from the tribally-owned restaurant to a local pork farm to be served at the tribal casino.

Rolling Tomato program is to reduce food waste and increase access to food for food-insecure communities in Boise, Idaho.

Portland State University's project is to work to reduce food waste and distribute city tree fruit to low-income, multifamily properties in areas of Portland.