Featured Projects

EFCN Smart Management for Small Water Systems Program...

Comprehensive Planning Assistance...

Youth Outreach...

Students Vs. Trash Poster Design Contest...

Sustainable Materials Management...

SMM Work in the Caribbean...

Education and Outreach on Green Infrastructure...

SMM Work in the Caribbean

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Recycling Partnership Facilitation

The EFC is using its solid waste management and recycling expertise to facilitate the Puerto Rico Recycling Partnership (PRRP).  The PRRP was formed early in 2010 by the Puerto Rican government and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promote materials source reduction, clean composting, reuse, and recycling through a working partnership including government (at all levels), non-profit organizations, citizens, environmental groups, and the private sector. The PRRP is designing programs, educating the public, and ensuring effective implementation. It is composed of eight active working teams: Construction & Demolition Debris; Education & Outreach; Glass, Metal & Plastic Containers; Government Relations; Organics; Paper; Scrap Metal; and Special Wastes. Learn more/Aprende más
 

Puerto Rico Organics Internship Program

In February 2012, the Puerto Rico Organics Education Internship Program was launched. Designed to train Puerto Rican college students to be SMM stewards for local rural K-12 schools, and their respective universities, the internship program attracted 51 applicants from seven different universities across Puerto Rico. The program currently has 40 participants from six universities engaged, as well as numerous faculty and business mentors. It is expected that these intern teams will reach at least 20 schools, as well as a number of other audiences (including education efforts at fairs and festivals, on their college campuses, and much more.) The six schools engaged are: University of Puerto Rico (UPR) at Arecibo, UPR at Rio Piedras, UPR at Utuado, UPR at Mayaguez, Universidad Metropolitana (UMET) and Polytechnic University.

Among the many acheivements of students involved in the program is a video on zero waste created by Jessica Seiglie of Puerto Rico. Jessica submitted the video to a competition, winning her a trip to the Zero Waste International Youth Meeting in Brazil on October 2012. To see her video, click here.

To learn more, visit the Puerto Rico Recycling Partnership website here.

Construction and Demolition Trainings

In collaboration with the Northeast Recycling Council and WasteCap Resource Solutions of Wisconsin, EFC planned two day-long construction and demolition trainings in October 2012 in San Juan and Ponce, Puerto Rico. More than 35 people received training, including contractors, construction site managers, green building specialists, consultants, and other professionals. 

Virgin Islands

Virgin Islands Recycling Partnership Facilitation

To access the US Virgin Islands Integrated Solid Waste Stategy, created by the EFC with support from the Institute for Local Self Reliance and the EPA Region 2, click here.

The EFC is using its solid waste management and recycling expertise to facilitate the the U.S. Virgin Islands Recycling Partnership (VIRP) in an effort to assist the islands in establishing a sustainable solid waste strategy—based on an aggressive program of waste reduction, recycling and composting—and moving toward a sustainable materials economy. The partnership includes government (at all levels), non-profit organizations, citizens, environmental groups, and the private sector. The VIRP is comprised of eight core teams: Construction & Demolition Debris; Education & Outreach; Glass, Metal & Plastic Containers; Government Relations; Organics; Paper; Scrap Metal; and Special Wastes. Those interested should register here for the VIRP.

Click here to visit the VIRP website.

Virgin Islands Organics Management Education Internship

The Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at Syracuse University and the Virgin Islands Recycling Partnership (VIRP) have sought out university students interested in assisting with developing and delivering a sustainable organics materials management education program for K-12 schools and other organizations in the Virgin Islands during the fall 2012 through spring 2013 school year. This program will focus on waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, with a special focus on organics management (green waste, food discards, etc.). During the internship, university students from St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas will receive training on organics management and composting methods, develop K-12 curriculum, then deliver these programs to school across the islands. Program participants will work on the project from October 2012 to May 2013. They will receive free training in the beginning of the fall semester.  The program will take approximately 50-75 hours to complete over the course of the school year.  Students will work with the EFC, VIRP Organics Team, US EPA Virgin Islands office, and the VI Waste Management Authority.

To learn more, apply, please contact to Ana V. Arache at avarache@syr.edu.