The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Perpetual Use, Inc. a Source Reduction Assistance (SRA) grant amounting to $191,801. This funding will support the company's ongoing project aimed at establishing a city-scale reusable food ware system in Savannah, Georgia.

Source reduction, also known as pollution prevention (P2), involves practices that minimize or eliminate pollution at its source before it is created. Such activities can reduce exposure to toxic chemicals, conserve natural resources, improve environmental conditions in disadvantaged communities, and lower financial costs for businesses.

Perpetual Use, Inc.'s initiative seeks to address the waste crisis caused by single-use food ware. The proposed system will offer "food ware as a service" to replace disposable items like cups and takeout containers with reusable alternatives. Customers can return these products to designated collection bins for cleaning and redistribution.

“Pollution prevention practices are an important, cost-effective strategy to protect communities and the environment by helping businesses prevent pollution before it’s even created,” said Acting Region 4 Administrator Jeaneanne Gettle. “Thanks to the historic investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is helping to spur economic growth by expanding and accelerating the practices that are win-wins for human health, the environment and American businesses.”

The grant was available through a competitive process open to non-profit organizations, Tribes, and state and local governments within EPA Regions 3 through 10. Applicants were required to propose projects aligned with one or more of four priorities: preventing greenhouse gas emissions; reducing hazardous materials use; innovating conservation of materials and natural resources such as water or energy; and supporting environmental justice for underserved communities through P2 actions.