The U.S. EPA issued a flurry of grants to small businesses in the final days of former President Joe Biden's administration. That includes funding allocated through the Small Business Innovation Research program.
The recipients each received $100,000, with listed project start dates of Dec. 16. In all, 24 companies were awarded grants in this round, per a release.
The Small Business Innovation Research program was first established by legislation in 1982, and 11 agencies including the EPA participate in the program. The EPA offers funding for two phases of emerging businesses. Phase 1 funding assists early stage companies developing solutions for public health and environmental challenges to run a six month proof of concept for their proposed technology. Phase 2 funding supports those businesses as they work to commercialize their technology.
All of the recipients announced last week received Phase 1 funding. A list of those that developed solutions for waste-related issues are below.
- Greensboro, North Carolina-based AxNano proposes a “field deployable” treatment process for PFAS in biosolids using sintered wave technology and supercritical water oxidation.
- Tempe, Arizona-based BetR-blok is developing a concrete building block substitute made from forest biomass and other recycled materials.
- Portland, Oregon-based Bold Reuse is developing an inventory management system to facilitate its reverse logistics system for packaging, enabling a more streamlined reuse system for clients.
- Saratoga Springs, New York-based Dynamo.AI is developing packaging that uses biochar to absorb ethylene gas and moisture and extend the shelf life of produce in order to reduce food waste.
- Hull, Georgia-based EcoaTex proposes using agricultural waste to create new recyclable fibers and yarns.
- Binghamton, New York-based Klaw Industries proposes using waste glass to displace the fly ash used in cement-making today.
- Los Angeles, California-based Symmetry Wood is developing a replacement for wood from the bacterial nanocellulose found in food waste.
- Amarillo, Texas-based Talon LPE is developing a three-pronged solution for mitigating PFAS contamination in biosolids using biochar and pyrolysis.
The Biden administration took a series of actions in its final days before former President Donald Trump began his second term. Agency officials have braced for a dramatic change as Trump assumes office, as his allies have vowed to gut the federal workforce and reverse climate policies.
EPA also announced $1.3 billion in grant funding through the Community Change Grants program in December, which financed waste-related projects in several municipalities around the country. Other agencies, like the Energy and Agriculture departments, have also announced funding for waste-to-biofuels and composting projects in recent weeks.
The EPA still has funding to give out for its climate and environment goals, some of which was allocated through the Inflation Reduction Act and other major legislative packages. Funding announcements for the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant program and Recycling Education and Outreach grant program, for instance, remain unfulfilled but are scheduled to be announced later this year.
