Alternatives to Waste Disposal
Contents
The source for the image on the right is the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency. Online:
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/reduce.htm
Solid waste disposal is a major concern in rural areas. It potentially
threatens public health, ruins the environment, and hinders economic development
because of an overall poor impression of the area. Communities need to become
creative in their methods for disposing or managing solid waste from plastics
and paper to motor oil and yard waste.
Where and how to begin is a critical issue for all communities, especially
rural communities with limited resources. This guide serves as a starting
point for small communities and concerned individuals to examine the issues
and begin to plan feasible programs. It provides web links to full-text information resources available on the different aspects
of solid waste disposal: recycling, composting, specific recyclable materials,
household hazardous wastes, collection methods, and more.
The Additional Resources section provides contact information for community
officials and decision-makers.
This resource guide was revised and updated by Patricia LaCaille John, March 2005. Rural Information Center Publication Series; no. 58 2005. Beltsville, MD. Last Modified: Sept. 2008
Articles/Publications
- "Avoiding a Rural Public Relations Nightmare." Corrie Lynne Player. World
Wastes, 40, no. 1 (1997): 62-65.
http://www.wasteage.com/mag/waste_avoiding_rural_public/
A case-study of one Midwestern town illustrates the potential problems
with siting a new landfill. A four-step plan highlights the public relations
tactics to overcome some of the problems. Cooperation between government
officials and citizens is the key.
- City of Eureka: Rural Waste Reduction. Sacramento, CA: Integrated
Waste Management Board.
http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Trashcutters/Winners/1998/Eureka.htm
Case study describing the main themes of the School Waste Education Project
focus on buying smart to reduce waste and reusing waste materials. Fourth
graders learn from local high school students who produce lessons on waste
reduction, using puppetry and skits.
- "Collecting Rural Recyclables at the Road." Ted Siegler and Porter Ball.
Resource Recycling: North Americas Recycling Journal, 13, no. 2 (1994): 57-62. http://www.p2pays.org/ref%5C06/05416.pdf
Describes the methodology and results of the comparisons of two rural communities
in Vermont. Studies Cornwall and Orwell to determine which methods of recycling
were more effective and more cost-effective.
- "Country Roads." Russ Short. WasteAge, Feb.1,2008 Electronic Issue. http://wasteage.com/Collections_And_Transfer/waste_country_roads/
Article on Collection of recyclables in rural areas, roadside collection. Participation among rural and semi-rural areas is lower than urban areas because many times getting materials to the roadside is not right out their front door. The size of the container used at roadside and transporting it a distance are key reasons for lower participation.
- Decision Aids for Municipal Solid Waste Management in Rural Areas: An Annotated
Bibliography. Mississippi State, MS: Southern Rural Development Center, 1995, 34 p.
http://srdc.msstate.edu/publications/190.html
Bibliography focuses on resources for collection and transferring, waste
reduction, waste disposal, and facilitating solid waste management.
- Decision-Maker's Guide to Solid Waste Management. 2nd ed. EPA530-R-95-023.
Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste, 1997.
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/dmg2.htm
Provides
detailed information that can help communities successfully implement integrated municipal
solid waste managment programs. Covers key technical, legal, economic, political, and
social issues that must be addressed to develop effective waste management programs. Includes
detailed guidance on collection and transfer, source reduction, recycling, composting,
combustion, and land disposal of solid waste.
- "An Examination of Rural Recycling Drop-Off Participation." Thomas W. Blaine,
Kimberly D. Mascarella, and DeAnna N. Davis. Journal of Extension,
39, no. 5 (2001). http://www.joe.org/joe/2001october/rb1.html
Describes procedure implemented by Mahoning County, OH to conduct a survey
of residents in order to identify characteristics of those who use the drop-off
sites and what residents' views are concerning these sites.
- A Guidebook for Rural Solid Waste Management Services. Gerald A.
Doeksen and others. Mississippi State, MS: Southern Rural Development
Center, 1993, 128 p. http://srdc.msstate.edu/publications/174.html
Provides information useful to decisionmakers in evaluating the economic
feasibility of various alternative solid waste systems in small communities
and rural areas in the South.
- "How to Plan a Rural Transfer Station." Carol Roberts. World Wastes,
40, no. 5 (1997): 58-62.
http://www.wasteage.com/mag/waste_plan_rural_transfer/
Describes how North Platte, Nebraska planned and built a transfer station
for wastes generated within a 25 mile radius of the facility.
- "How To Prepare A Rural Waste Plan." Debra Siniard Stinnett. World Wastes,
38, no. 7 (1995): 29-38.
http://www.wasteage.com/mag/waste_prepare_rural_waste/
Provides a detailed "how-to" overview for the process of preparing a rural
waste plan.
- How to Start or Expand a Recycling Collection Program. EPA530-F-94-007,
Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Solid Waste and Emergency Response,
1994, 4 p.
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/partnerships/wastewise/pubs/howtopdf.pdf
Provides basic information on establishing recycling collection programs
in any setting, but focuses on collection in offices. Also provides suggestion
on ways to expand or improve an existing collection program.
- Illegal Dumping Prevention Guidebook. EPA 905-B-97-001. Chicago: U.S. EPA Region 5, Waste, Pesticides and Toxics Division,
1998, 30 p.
http://www.epa.gov/reg5rcra/wptdiv/illegal_dumping/downloads/il-dmpng.pdf
Contains general information about illegal dumping and guidance for
developing a prevention program. Intended for use by state, tribal,
county, local government authorities; community groups and civic organizations;
industry; and, utilities (such as railroads and power companies).
- Integrated Solid Waste Management for Rural Areas: A Planning Tool Kit
for Solid Waste Managers. Jim Stokoe and Elizabeth Teague. Washington,
DC: USDA Rural Utilities Service, 1995, 118 p. http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/docs/swmgmt.pdf
Provides a rudimentary set of tools to help address the challenges
of solid waste management, with a focus on waste reduction. A first
step at sharing experiences of a regional council of governments in
applying strategic planning principles, group problem solving, public
involement processes, business development, and regional approaches
to solid waste management and waste reduction.
- Joining Forces on Solid Waste Management Regionalization is Working in
Rural and Small Communities.EPA530-K-93-001. Washington,
DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Solid and Waste Emergency Response.
1994. 40 p.
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/joining/jforce1.pdf
Showcases the techniques and results that may be achieved through cooperation
between agencies and individuals for managing solid waste in rural areas.
- Measuring Recycling: A Guide for State and Local Governments. EPA530-R-97-011.
Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Solid Waste and
Emergency Response, 1997, 163 p.
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/tools/recmeas/docs/guide.pdf
Describes in detail the voluntary, standard methodology for measuring recycling
rates developed by EPA. Also includes a glossary, standard volume-to-weight
conversion factors, and other useful tools.
- Organic Materials Management Strategies. EPA530-R-99-016. Washington, DC: U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Solid Waste and Emergency Response, 1999.
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/compost/omms.pdf
Describes seven composting strategies for organic materials in the U.S. municipal solid
waste stream and presents an analysis of the benefits and costs of each strategy, the potential
for diverting organic materials from landfills or waste-to-energy facilities, and the potential markets for diverted organic materials.
- Rural Community Convenience Centers. Sarah L. Kimball, and others,
F-894. Stillwater: Oklahoma Cooperative Extension
Service, Oklahoma State University, August 1993.
4 p. http://osuextra.okstate.edu/pdfs/F-894web.pdf
Describes the costs and operation of one-stop dropoff centers that are
designed for rural residents.
- "10 Steps To Planning A Rural Regional Recycling." Debra Siniard Stinnett.
World Wastes, 39, no. 1 (1996): 64-72.
http://www.wasteage.com/mag/waste_steps_planning_rural/
Outlines ten specific steps for developing a recycling plan and
evaluating it. Discusses issues facing rural communties.
- "The Use of Recycled Materials in Highway Construction." Robin L. Schroeder.
Public Roads, 58, no. 2 (1994): 32-41.
http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/fall94/p94au32.htm
Describes how waste materials are being used as components in building
and highway materials in innovative programs.
- Waste Prevention, Recycling, and Composting Options: Lessons from 30 Communities.
EPA530-R-92-015. Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Solid Waste and Emergency Response, 1994, 168 p.
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/reduce/recy-com/toc.pdf
Case studies analyze the actual operating experience of 30 diverse communities - some
with high materials recovery rates, other with model waste reduction initiatives
- and draws lessons for communities wanting to strengthen their own programs.
- Waste Reduction in Tehama County: A Model for Local Government and Waste
Reduction. Sacramento, CA: Integrated Waste Management Board, 2001,
11 p.
http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Publications/default.asp?pubid=916
Case study describes how rural Tehama County, California, diverted 43 percent
of its waste in 1999 through effective recycling and waste reduction programs
and policies.
- Waste Reduction Manual for Solid Waste Planning for Local Governments.
Publication No. 94-141. Olympia: Washington Department of Ecology,
Solid Waste Service Program, 1994, 54 p. http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/94141.html
Outlines six tools that will be helpful for implementing a waste
reduction program: education, procurement policies, policy initiatives and
actions, financial incentives and disincentives, publicity and public relations,
and community and volunteer activities.
Journals
Community Matters
Keep America Beautiful
1010 Washington Blvd.
Stamford, CT 06901
(203) 323-8987
Email: info@kab.org
http://www.kab.org/site/MessageViewer?dlv_id=5381&em_id=1381.0&JServSessionIdr009=58blqhxm41.app2b
Paper Recycling Online
Email: info@recycle.cc
http://www.recycle.cc/freepapr.htm
Reusuable News
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M St., SW (5305W)
Washington, DC 20460
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/recycle/reuse.htm
Waste Age
6151 Powers Ferry Rd. Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30339
(770) 955-2500
Email: inquiries@primediabusiness.com
http://www.wasteage.com
WasteWise Update
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M St., SW (5305W)
Washington, DC 20460
http://www.epa.gov/wastewise/wrr/updates.htm
Federal Publication Sources
The Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste Management, is a resource on topics related to solid waste management for individuals and communities. The Catalogue of Hazardous and Solid Waste Publications (http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/catalog.htm) is a list of useful publications. Many of these publications are available at no charge. For more information, call EPA at 1-800-490-9198 or email: ncepimal@one.net
The following federal programs and private funding sources represent a sample of the resources available. For additional sources consult A Guide to Funding Resources: http://nal.usda.gov/ric/ricpubs/funding/fundguide.html. This online guide contains links to numerous funding sources including federal, state, and private funding databases, state foundation guides, and grant writing resources and information.
Federal Funding
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE
10.760 Water and Waste Disposal Systems for Rural Communities
Objectives: To provide basic human amenities, alleviate health hazards and promote growth of the rural areas of the national by meeting the need for new and improved rural water and waste disposal facilities.
10.762 Solid Waste Management Grants
Objectives: To reduce or eliminate pollution of water resources and improve planning and management of solid waste disposal facilities in rural areas.
Information Contact:
For information conerning grant applications and procedures:
Assistant Administrator, Water and Environmental Programs
Rural Utilities Service
Department of Agriculture
Washington, DC 20250
(202) 690-2670
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
66.801 Hazardous Waste Management State Program Support
Objectives: To assist State governments in the development and implementation of an authorized hazardous waste management program for the purpose of controlling the generation, transportation, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes.
Information Contact:
For information concerning preapplication coordination an application procedures, contact:
EPA Headquarters Office Grants Administration Division, (3903R)
Washington, DC 20460
For State program information on Section 3011 of RCRA, contact:
EPA (5303W)
Office of Solid Waste
Washington, DC 20460
(703) 308-8630
66.808 Solid Waste Management Assistance
Objectives: To promote use of integrated solid waste management systems to solve solid waste generation and management problems at the local, regional and national levels.
Information Contact:
For information concerning grant applications and procedures, contact:
EPA Headquarters Office
Grants Administration Division, 3903F
Washington, DC 20460.
(202) 260-9266
66.812 Tribal Hazardous Waste Grants
Ojbectives: The purpose of the Hazardous Waste Management Grant Program for Tribes is to provide financial assistance to Tribal governments and Tribal consortia for the development and implementation of hazardous waste programs; for building capacity to improve and maintain regulatory compliance; and for developing solutions to address hazardous waste mismanagement impacting Tribal lands.
Information Contact:
Office of Solid Waste
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW. (5303W)
Washington, DC 20460
(703) 605-0728
Private Funding
AT&T Foundation
32 Avenue of the Americas
6th Floor
New York, NY 10013
http://www.att.com/foundation/
The Ben & Jerry's Foundation
30 Community Dr.
South Burlington, VT 05403-6828
(802) 846-1500
http://www.benjerry.com/foundation/
CS Fund
469 Bohemian Highway
Freestone, CA 95472
(707) 874-2942
Email: inquiries@csfund.org
http://www.csfund.org
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
300 Second St., Suite 200
Los Altos, CA 90422
(650) 948-7658
http://www.packard.org
Dow Corning Corporation Contributions Program
Midland Site Contributions Committee
Mail No. 118
Midland, MI 48686-0994
http://www.dowcorning.com/content/about/aboutcomm/midland_donations_request.asp
DuPont Corporation Contributions Program
Dupont Corporate Information Center
Chestnut Run Plaza
705/GS38
Wilmington, DE 19880-0705
(800) 441-7515
Email: info@dupont.com
http://www2.dupont.com/Social_Commitment/en_US/outreach/
Edwin W. and Catherine M. Davis Foundation
332 Minnesota St., Suite 2100
St. Paul, MN 55101
(612) 228-0935
Gap Corporate Giving Program
Requests from San Francisco Bay Area nonprofits:
Gap Foundation
Two Folsom Street
San Francisco, CA 94105 |
Requests from New York City nonprofits:
Gap Foundation
620 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10011 |
Joyce Foundation
70 West Madison Street, Suite 2750
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 782-2464
Email: info@joycefdn.org
http://www.joycefdn.org/index-content.html
McIntosh Foundation
1730 M St., NW, Suite 404
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 338-8055
Surdna Foundation, Inc.
330 Madison Ave., 30th Fl.
New York, NY 10017-5001
(212) 557-0010
Email: request@surdna.org
http://www.surdna.org
State Environmental Offices:
http://risk.lsd.ornl.gov/CRE/CRE_eco_state.shtml
Air and Waste Management Association
1 Gateway Center, 3rd Fl.
420 Gateway Duquesne Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 232-3444
Email: info@awma.org
http://www.awma.org
Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers (AFPR)
1298 Cronson Boulevard, Suite 201
Crofton, MD 21114
(410) 451-8340
E-mail: info@epspackaging.org
http://www.epspackaging.org
Aluminum Association
1300 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22209
(202) 862-5100
http://www.aluminum.org
American Chemistry Council - Plastics Division
1300 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22209
(800) 243-5790
http://www.americanchemistry.com/plastics/
American Public Works Association
2345 Grand Blvd. Suite 500
Kansas City, MO 64108-2461
(800) 848-2792
http://www.apwa.net
Asphalt Recycling and Reclaiming Society
3 Church Circle, Ste. 250
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 267-0023
E-mail: MemberServices@arra.org
http://www.arra.org
Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials
444 N. Capitol St., NW, Suite 315
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 624-5828
Email: swmbarb@sso.org
http://www.astswmo.org
Automotive Recyclers Association
3975 Fair Ridge Drive, Suite 20-North
Fairfax, VA 22033
(888) 385-1005
http://www.a-r-a.org/
Construction Materials Recycling Association
PO Box 122
Eola, IL 60519
(630) 585-7530
http://www.cdrecycling.org/
Container Recycling Institute
1601 N. Kent Street, Suite 803
Arlington, VA 22209
(703) 276-9800
Email: info@container-recycling.org
http://www.container-recycling.org
Environmental Defense Fund
257 Park Ave., S
New York, NY 10010
(212) 505-2100
(800) 684-3322
E-mail: http://www.edf.org/email.cfm?contentID=6787
http://www.edf.org/
Environmental Hazards Management Institute (EHMI)
10 Newmarket Road
Durham, NH 03824
(800) 558-3464
Email: info@ehmi.org
http://www.ehmi.org
Glass Packaging Institute
1627 K St., NW, Ste 800
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 887-4850
http://www.gpi.org
Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR)
927 15th St NW, 4th Fl.
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 898-1610
Email: info@ilsr.org
http://www.ilsr.org/
Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries
1325 G St., NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005-3104
(202) 737-1770
E-mail: isri@isri.org
http://www.isri.org
Keep America Beautiful
1010 Washington Blvd.
Stamford, CT 06901
(203) 323-8987
E-mail: info@kab.org
http://www.kab.org
National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR)
10800 Sikes Place, Suite 240
Charlotte, NC 28277
(704) 845-5070
Email: information@napcor.com
http://www.napcor.com/
National Recycling Coalition
1325 G Street NW, Suite 1025
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 347-0450
Email: info@nrc-recycle.org
http://www.nrc-recycle.org
National Solid Wastes Management Association
4301 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite. 300
Washington, DC 20008-2304
(202) 244-4700
Email: membership@envasns.org
http://www.nswma.org
NORA: Association of Responsible Recyclers
5965 Amber Ridge Road
Haymarket, VA 20169
(703) 753-4277
Email: sparker@noranews.org
http://www.noranews.org/
Northeast Recycling Council (NERC)
139 Main Street, Suite 401
Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 254-3636
Email: info@nerc.org
http://www.nerc.org/
Recycled Materials Resource Center
220 Environmental Technology Building
Durham, NH 03824
(603) 862-4704
Email: thermrc@rmrc.unh.edu
http://www.rmrc.unh.edu/
Reuse Development Organization, Inc (ReDO)
c/o The Loading Dock
2523 Gwynns Falls Parkway
Baltimore, MD 21216
(410) 669-7245
Email: info@redo.org
http://www.redo.org/
Secondary Materials and Recycled Textile Association(SMART)
7910 Woodmont Ave. Suite 1130
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 656-1077
http://www.smartasn.org
Steel Recycling Institute
Idersen Drive
Pittsburg, PA 15220-2700
(800) 937-1226
E-mail: sri@recycle-steel.org
http://www.recycle-steel.org
SWANA, The Solid Waste Association of North America
1100 Wayne Ave.
Suite 700
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(800) 467-9262
Email: info@swana.org
http://www.swana.org
Tire and Rubber Recycling Advisory Council (TRRAC)
Tire Industry Association
1532 Pointer Ridge Place, Suite G
Bowie, MD 20716
(800) 876-8372
http://www.tireindustry.org/
Tire Retread Information Bureau
900 Weldon Grove
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(888) 473-8732
E-mail: info@retread.org
http://www.retread.org
US Composting Council
4250 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 275
Holbrook, NY 11741
(631) 737-4931
http://www.compostingcouncil.org/
U.S. Conference of Mayors
1620 I St., NW, 4th Fl.
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 293-7330
http://www.usmayors.org/
The Vinyl Institute
1300 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22209
(703) 741-5670
http://www.vinylinfo.org
Published Journals
BioCycle: Journal of Composting and Organics Recycling
J.G. Press, Inc.
419 State Ave.
Emmaus, PA 18049
(610) 967-4135 ext. 22
Email: biocycle@jgpress.com
Compost Science & Utilization
JG Press, Inc.
419 State Ave.
Emmaus, PA 18049
(610) 967-4135 ext. 22
Email: biocycle@jgpress.com
Composting News
McEntee Media Corp.
9815 Hazelwood Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44149-2305
(440) 238-6603
Email: ken@recycle.cc
PlasticsNews
Crain Communications
1725 Merriman Rd.
Akron, OH 44313
(330) 836-9180
Plastics Recycling Update
Resource Recycling, Inc.
P.O. Box 42270
Portland, OR 97242-0270
(503) 233-1305
Email: info@resource-recycling.com
Recycled Paper News
13727 9815 Hazelwood Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44149-2305
(440) 238-6603
Email: rpn@recycle.cc
Recycling Manager
American Metal Market
PO Box 15127
North Hollywood, CA 91615-5127
(800) 947-9553
Email: custserv@espcomp.com
Recycling Markets
N.V. Business Publications
43 Main Street
Avon By The Sea, NJ 07717
Email: recycling@nvpublications.com
Recycling Today
G.I.E. Publishers, Inc.
4012 Bridge Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44113
(800) 456-0707
(216) 961-4130
Resource Recycling
PO Box 42270
Portland, OR 97242-0270
(503) 233-1305
Email: info@resource-recycling.com
Scrap
Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries
1325 G. St., NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 737-1770
Email: isri@isri.org
Scrap Tire News
Recycling Research Institute
215 Davis Ave. SW
P.O. Box 4430
Leesburg, VA 20177
(571) 258-0500
State Recycling Laws Update
Raymond Communications, Inc.
5111 Berwyn Rd. #115
College Park, MD 20740
(301) 345-4237
Waste Reduction Tips
McEntee Media Corp.
9815 Hazelwood Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44149-2305
(440) 238-6603
Email: tips@recycle.cc
USDA, Rural Information Center
National Agricultural Library
10301 Baltimore Ave., Room 132
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351
ric@ars.usda.gov
1-800-633-7701
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