H.R. 6684 — Zero Food Waste Act

This section directs the EPA Administrator to establish a competitive grant program to reduce food waste by 50% by 2035 (relative to 2015 levels). Under the program, the Administrator may award grants to eligible entities—excluding nonprofits for studies/plans under (a)(3)(A) and data/reports under (a)(3)(B)—for (1) studying food waste generation/policies and developing reduction plans prioritizing prevention; (2) collecting food waste data and publishing monthly/quarterly public reports; and (3) reduction projects (e.g., activities, differential disposal pricing, technical assistance, landfill/incineration restrictions, recycling market policies), which also require data/reports. Grant applications must demonstrate compliant use and, for nonprofits, include specified support letters; awards prioritize diverse locations/uses, entities with existing/imminent reduction programs or infrastructure needs, and projects in communities of color, low-income, or Tribal communities disproportionately affected by environmental/health harms; anaerobic digestion projects are limited to ≤20% animal waste feedstock (with remainder source-separated organics) and require end-product recycling plans ensuring no environmental hazards. Grantees must report results to EPA, including effectiveness data; EPA must submit annual reports to Congress assessing progress toward the 50% goal and promoting cross-grantee learning.