EPA Pollution Prevention EPP/Safer Choice Grant Development

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Pollution Prevention (P2) Program (within EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention) sought to expand the use of Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) and Safer Choice (SC) products and approaches through new grant funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Developing this new grant program required coordinated stakeholder engagement, clear applicant guidance, effective outreach, and well‑defined reporting and management structures to support future program growth and ensure alignment with environmental justice priorities.

ERG managed and executed key elements of EPP and SC grant program development. For example, we supported the design and execution of stakeholder listening sessions, coordinated website updates, developed outreach mailing lists, and reviewed and produced FAQs and Requests for Applications (RFAs). We also helped develop the program’s outreach strategy and materials and conducted research to strengthen connections between the EPP/SC grant program, potential applicants and partners, and disadvantaged communities. Our work included developing guidance to support prospective applicants and helping identify and connect them to suitable partners. We also helped EPA develop metrics, reporting templates, and output/outcome measures and conduct research into new approaches to managing grants to support future program expansion.