Solid Waste Management on Tribal Lands

Tribal Waste Program Quick Finder
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Reduction, Reuse, Recycling and Buying Recycled

Reduction	Reuse	Recycling	Buy Recycled
Waste prevention; also known as "source reduction," is the practice of designing, manufacturing, purchasing, or using materials (such as products and packaging) in ways that reduce the amount or toxicity of trash created. Waste prevention helps create less waste in the first place— even before reuse or recycling. Waste Exchanges & Pollution Prevention	Reusing items by repairing them, donating them to charity and community groups, or selling them also reduces waste. Reusing products, when possible, is even better than recycling because the item does not need to be reprocessed before it can be used again. Reuse Success Story: Pinoleville Tribe Transforms Trash	Recycling is defined as the collecting, manufacturing, and selling/buying of new products made from what once was thought of as waste. Composting Starting a Tribal Recycling Program Starting a California Refund Value Center or Used Oil Collection Center	When you buy recycled products, you save vital natural resources and help stimulate economic growth through environmentally preferable, or greener, technologies. Setting up a tribal Buy Recycled Program

Reduction

Reuse

Recycling

Buy Recycled

Waste prevention; also known as "source reduction," is the practice of designing, manufacturing, purchasing, or using materials (such as products and packaging) in ways that reduce the amount or toxicity of trash created. Waste prevention helps create less waste in the first place— even before reuse or recycling.

Waste Exchanges & Pollution Prevention

Reusing items by repairing them, donating them to charity and community groups, or selling them also reduces waste. Reusing products, when possible, is even better than recycling because the item does not need to be reprocessed before it can be used again.

Reuse Success Story:
Pinoleville Tribe Transforms Trash

Recycling is defined as the collecting, manufacturing, and selling/buying of new products made from what once was thought of as waste.

When you buy recycled products, you save vital natural resources and help stimulate economic growth through environmentally preferable, or greener, technologies.

Setting up a tribal Buy Recycled Program

Funding Assistance Resources

Solid Waste Funding Assistance for Tribes (for waste reduction in the Pacific Southwest)
EPA – Region 9 General Assistance Grant Program
Description: The General Assistance Program (GAP) can fund solid waste implementation projects, including projects to characterize and close open dumps, purchase equipment, characterize sites, and pilot solid waste collection programs.
Cycle Dates: Announcement is generally available at the end of October, with initial proposals due to the EPA Regional office at the end of January.
Award Amount: Funds available range by project type.
Tribal Solid Waste Management Assistance Project
Description: (formerly Interagency Open Dump Cleanup Project) Interagency workgroup (EPA, IHS, BIA, DOD, USDA) solicits competitive proposals on any of four different types of activities that meet the goals of the project:
- Characterizing/assessing open dumps
- Developing Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) plans, codes, and regulations
- Developing and implementing alternative solid waste management activities/facilities
- Cleanup, closure, and developing post-closure programs for open dump waste sites on tribal lands.
Cycle Dates: Solicitation is usually available in January.
Award Amount: Funds available depend on the type of project, and can range from 20k to 300k per project. Funds available nationally, from all contributing agencies, total ~2M per year.
EPA – Region 9 Resource Conservation Funds Program
Description: Funds can support development of integrated waste management plans and solid waste codes, waste reduction plans, community outreach and education programs, dump characterizations, waste management feasibility studies, and pilot projects to develop sustainable integrated waste management programs, including recycling and composting projects. Funds are typically used for new staff positions, contractual assistance, supplies and outreach materials, travel, and training assistance. Funds generally cannot be used to purchase capital equipment.
Cycle Dates: Solicitation is generally available by the end of January, with proposals due at the end of March each year.
Award Amount: Funds available per award range from about 20-60k, typically 3 or 4 awards per year.
USDA Solid Waste Management
Description: This program supports projects that seek to improve planning and management of solid waste sites in rural areas, and reduce or eliminate pollution of water resources in rural areas.
The grant can be used to:
- Evaluate current landfill conditions to determine threats to water resources.
- Provide technical assistance and/or training to enhance operator skills in the operation and maintenance of active landfills.
- Provide technical assistance and/or training to help communities reduce their solid waste stream.
- Provide technical assistance and/or training for operators of landfills that are closed or will be closed in the near future with the development and implementation of closure plans, future land use plans, safety and maintenance planning, and closure scheduling within permit requirements.
Cycle Dates: Applications accepted Oct 1 – Dec 31 each year.
Award Amount: Awards range.
Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Native Americans Environmental Regulatory Enhancement Grant Program
Description: This program provides financial assistance for Tribes in planning, developing, and implementing projects that are designed to improve their capacity to regulate environmental activities.
Cycle Dates: Closing deadline is in March
Award Amount: $50,000 to $250,000 per 12-month budget period
Nevada Division of Environmental Protection – Recycling and Solid Waste Grant Program
Description: Proposals should focus on improving solid waste management systems within Nevada or a local municipality, or increasing opportunities for the recycling and reuse of solid waste, or increasing public awareness of the importance of conserving natural resources or the reuse, recycling and appropriate disposal of solid waste.
Cycle Dates: Applications typically due in December
Award Amount: Awards range
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality – Waste Reduction Assistance
Description: This program funds projects devoted to waste reduction, recycling, and composting. Projects may include new recycling collections, household hazardous waste collections, electronics recycling programs, mulching or composting operations, material processing operations and manufacturing facilities that use recycled material as a feedstock. Capital improvements to expand existing programs or these types may also be proposed. Eligible applicants include private companies, non-profit organizations, political jurisdictions, and Tribal governments within Arizona.
Cycle Dates: Proposals due in November
Award Amounts: Awards range

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