Sustainable Communities Web Challenge


Created with the US EPA's new input-output model, the website features maps and data visualizations that combine industry and environmental data using Embeddable IO Widgets.

Our Industry Comparison Tools answer questions like: What are the top industries in my community? How do these industries impact air, water, land, energy use, job creation, health and prosperity? Where can we focus innovation for the greatest returns?

Community Apps for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) is a systemic approach to using and reusing materials more productively over their entire life cycle. It represents a change in how our society thinks about the use of natural resources and environmental protection. By looking at a product's entire life cycle, we can find new opportunities to reduce environmental impacts, conserve resources, reduce costs and attract new industries.

Companies like Amazon and General Motors are using the US Environmentally Extended Input-Output (USEEIO) Models to analyze economic and environmental impacts across all economic sectors. The model is available for community planning, business development and environmental education through our new Local Industry Comparison Tools and the Sustainable Materials Management Prioritization Tools.

Upcoming Events

In the Fall of 2021, we'll implement the EPA's new tools for communities during the Code for America Sustainable Communities Web Challenge.

What's new:
EPA Researchers Working to Improve Life-Cycle Assessment Capabilities for Communities
Amazon is using USEEIO to reduce their carbon footprint to net zero by 2040. - Overview / Details
Microsoft's goal is 2030, followed by removing all their carbon emissions since 1975 by 2050. - Learn More

More about who's using the USEEIO modeling tool
Directory of open resources focused on sustainability

Sustainable Materials Management Objectives

  1. Decrease the disposal rate, which includes source reduction, reuse, recycling and prevention;
  2. Reduce the environmental impacts of materials across their life cycle;
  3. Increase socio-economic benefits; and
  4. Increase the capacity of state and local governments, communities and key stakeholders to adopt and implement SMM policies, practices and incentives.

Data Driven Decision Making

In Q1 2021, Georgia became the first state to implement the EPA's new Input-Output Model



Developed with the assistance of Georgia graduate students, we're applying the Georgia input-output model to compare local industies in communities throughout the state, and in other states with Code for America brigades. The following Georgia Smart communities will be among those with custom input-output profiles.

Statewide Input-Output Modeling

View our new embeddable US EEIO charts - Get Involved!
The screenshot below is from the EPA's new Sustainable Materials Management Prioritization Tool Suite which uses the USEEIO model.


View Latest Widget | How is this chart generated? (Python example) | Layout Mockup

Positive Outcomes Adverse Environmental Impacts
1. Value-Added
2. Quality Jobs
3. Clean Air
4. Clean Water
5. Clean Energy
6. Local Suppliers
7. Green Materials
8. Inclusive Design
9. Improves Health
10. Creates Beauty

These 10 positive outcomes encompass the 7 petals of the Living Community Challenge - Learn More.

Environmental Acid Rain (ACID)
Freshwater Ecotoxicity (ETOX)
Water Eutrophication (EUTR)
Global Climate Change (GCC)
Respiratory Effects (HRSP)
Toxic to Humans (HTOX)
Ozone Depletion (OZON)
Smog Formation (SMOG)

Resource Use Energy Use (ENRG)
Land Use (LAND)
Minerals and Metals (MINE)
Water Use (WATR)

Waste Generated Food Waste (FOOD)
Hazardous Waste (HAZW)
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)

Material Flow - Sankey Charts

View Chart Starters

SUPPLIERS (Input)
BUYERS (Output)
LOCAL INDUSTRIES

Recycling Processors (B2B)

Additional Maps - Landfills, Inert Waste, Transfer Stations




All The Places API

All The Places - Over 650 spiders and scrapers pull data nightly from sites that post their locations online. Using similar data harvesting techniques and APIs like Google Places, Google Knowledge Graph and DiffBot, material input-output requests could be shared using CSV files, HTML posts and API feeds.

Example: Your construction contract has a requirement to use 50% reclaimed lumber. Share a spreadsheet documenting how much lumber you need and when you need it. Groups like the Lifecycle Building Center retrieve lumber after film productions and can watch for teardown dates that fit your schedule.

In addition, census data from uszipcode datasets, will be combined with payroll, establishment and employment counts from zip code industry data to visualize impacts using Embeddable IO widgets.

Publish your Inventory and Wishlist Data using the Google Merchanct Center format

Partners

Code for America – Participate with your local community.
Code for Atlanta – Join our virtual meetings every two weeks.
GitHub Repos – Contribute to community tools and datasets.
Meet Our Team – Contributors from US EPA, GDEcD and Georgia Tech.