- Integrating green remediation and climate resilience work in Superfund service contracts
- EPA releases fact sheet about considering climate change at contaminated groundwater sites
- Enhanced tool now available to find products or services covered by an ecolabel or standard
- Using EPA's Water Sensors Toolbox to understand capabilities and limitations of water sensors
- Climate adaptation measures taken at the Wyckoff Co./Eagle Harbor NPL site along Puget Sound
- EPA releases fact sheet about BMPs for PCB sites
- News archives...
- April 4 U.S. Forest Service webinar on wildfire effects and recovery in urban ecosystems
- April 10-12 Design and Construction Issues at Hazardous Waste Sites conference in Philadelphia
- More on the calendar...
The U.S. EPA analyzed cleanup completion reports for 50 sites contaminated by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and documented best management practices (BMPs) that were implemented at the sites in accordance with the ASTM Standard Guide for Greener Cleanups (E2893-16). The analysis identified 22 BMPs that are frequently used for PCB cleanups across the nation. Each BMP addresses one or more core elements established in the U.S. EPA Principles for Greener Cleanups. Collectively, the BMPs address all nine of the cleanup activity categories outlined in the standard guide, such as power and fuel; surface water and stormwater; and vehicles and equipment. The findings and related case studies are detailed in Greener Cleanups Best Management Practices: PCB Cleanups.
The Fall 2021 meeting of the Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable (FRTR) focused on remedy protectiveness and climate resilience in site cleanups. View the session 1 and session 2 presentations of this virtual event and explore related links such as the FRTR-compiled summary of related policies, guidance and implementation tools.
The latest stage of implementing an award-winning green remediation strategy at the Elizabeth Mine Superfund site in Vermont has involved constructing and operating a passive treatment system to address the site's mining-influenced water. The system comprises an anoxic limestone drain, settling pond, vertical flow pond and polishing wetlands through which leachate from a capped area sequentially flows via gravity feed. This nature-based solution eliminates the need for electricity or other forms of extrinsic energy and reduces the cost of long-term remedy maintenance. *Update*
- Excavation and Surface Restoration (PDF) (5 pp, 286K) *Update*
- Site Investigation and Environmental Monitoring (PDF) (4 pp, 179K) *Update*
- Pump and Treat Systems (PDF) (6 pp, 673K) *Update*
- Bioremediation (PDF) (4 pp, 493K) *Update*
- Soil Vapor Extraction & Other Air-Driven Systems (PDF) (4 pp, 457K) *Update*
- Cleaner Fuels & Air Emissions for Site Cleanups (PDF) (5 pp, 425K) *Update*
- Integrating Renewable Energy (PDF) (6 pp, 840K) *Update*
- Sites with Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (PDF) (4 pp, 216K) *Update*
- Waste Cover Systems and Integrated Site Reuse Planning (PDF) (5 pp, 641K) *Update*
- Mining Sites (PDF) (6 pp, 535K)
- Implementing In Situ Thermal Technologies (PDF) (6 pp, 249K)
- Materials and Waste Management (PDF) (4pp, 397K)
GR Technology Primer (PDF) (56 pp, 814K):
Incorporating Sustainable Environmental Practices into Remediation of Contaminated Sites
Community Guide to Greener Cleanups (PDF) (2 pp, 1.4MB)
- Executive Order 14072: Strengthening the Nation's Forests, Communities, and Local Economies
This April 22, 2022, E.O. sets forth federal policy to deploy climate-smart forestry and other nature-based solutions to improve resilience of lands, waters, wildlife and communities in the face of disturbances and stress arising from climate impacts. The solutions include actions that protect coasts and critical marine ecosystems, reduce flooding, moderate extreme heat, replenish groundwater sources, capture and store carbon dioxide, and conserve biodiversity. Cleanup at Port Hadlock's Site 10 North End Landfill illustrates how such solutions can be planned and implemented at Superfund sites in coastal settings.
Executive Order 14057: Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability
This December 8, 2021, E.O. sets forth federal policy to lead by example in order to achieve a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy-wide by no later than 2050.
Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad
This January 27, 2021, E.O. sets forth policy and initiatives to advance our transition to clean energy and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Use of greener cleanup strategies in the U.S. EPA's Superfund and other site cleanup programs helps meet the policy goals by integrating renewable energy, deploying clean fuel and emission technologies, protecting water, sequestering carbon, conserving land, protecting critical ecosystems and biodiversity, and using nature-based solutions.
Learn about footprint assessment tools and view comprehensive reports on footprint evaluations conducted at sites undergoing cleanup. EPA's universal greener cleanup metrics provide a uniform and transparent approach to quantifying the environmental footprint associated with materials, wastes, water or energy that are used or generated during a cleanup. EPA's Spreadsheets for Environmental Footprint Analysis (SEFA) tool is available to help evaluate the environmental footprint of a cleanup project at a detailed level.
Aligning with National Goals
Learn about executive orders, requirements, and guidance on energy and water management, green purchasing, and environmental stewardship