The Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF), one of the largest sources of funding for solid waste research in the U.S., has unveiled a targeted request for sustainable solid waste research proposals. In late 2010, EREF Board of Directors made a decision to ensure research funded in the future reflected EREF’s long-term strategic research plan to address all areas of integrated solid waste management, with a strong focus towards research that increased sustainable solid waste management practices. Sustainability, as it relates to solid waste management, is a focus on utilizing waste as a resource. “While EREF has always supported research and educational initiatives in all areas of solid waste, this targeted RFP exemplifies EREF’s commitment to funding cutting edge research on next-generation technologies to manage discarded materials,” noted Jim Dowland, Waste Management’s Vice President of Disposal Operations and chair of the EREF Board’s Research Project Committee.