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Basic Information
Launched in 2002, the Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC) implements Congress’ charge to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Pollution Prevention Act to prevent pollution and conserve natural resources and energy by managing materials more efficiently. The RCC is a national program that provides renewed urgency to EPA’s message of reducing, reusing, and recycling valuable materials habitually discarded by American industry and the general public by linking the importance of these activities to energy conservation and greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions.
While inclusive enough to reach every producer, manufacturer, and consumer, the RCC strategy is disciplined in its focus, targeting four major areas:
- Municipal Solid Waste– to increase recycling and reduce the use of materials in products and manufacturing processes;
- Green Initiatives–Electronics – to redesign electronics, increase us of ‘green’ electronics, and provide convenient recycling options for all consumers;
- Industrial Materials Recycling – to increase recycling and beneficial use of industrial byproducts generated during manufacturing processes; and
- Priority and Toxic Chemicals – to reduce the amount of hazardous chemicals in products and waste, and to make smart upfront decisions on chemicals with recycling in mind.
Most importantly, the RCC brings a shift from a “waste management” to a “materials management” approach: Aluminum cans in a bin are a “waste” only if we do not take advantage of the fact that they are a material that can be recycled again and again, thus saving valuable energy and reducing GHG emissions with every additional extraction and manufacturing cycle avoided. Similarly, in the industrial arena, coal combustion ash destined for landfills can be reused in the production of cement: For every ton of coal combustion ash that is reused, we avoid one ton of GHG emissions.
While the four areas above are the primary focus of the RCC, they do not fully encompass all ongoing activities, strategies, and partnerships. We are actively identifying and implementing smarter, faster ways to accomplish RCC goals.
Businesses and Organizations can get involved in the RCC through our partnership programs:
- WasteWise for businesses, institutions, and governments to encourage recycling and waste reduction
- GreenScapes for cost-efficient and environmentally friendly landscaping
- Coal Combustion Products Partnership (C2P2) for the use of coal combustion products in transportation and building projects
- National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP) for industries to reduce use of toxic and priority chemicals
- Plug-In to eCycling for industry, government, retailers, and consumers
Schools and school districts can get involved in the RCC through WasteWise and these partnership programs:
- Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3) for K-12 schools and school districts
- Planet Protectors Club for elementary school students
- Make A Difference Campaign for middle school students
- Your Environment, Your Choice for high school students
Individuals — including students, teachers, homeowners, and others—are encouraged to visit our What Can You Do page to learn more about conserving our natural resources through reduction, reuse, and recycling of materials.
Submit your questions and ideas to the RCC mailbox (rcc-challenge@epa.gov).