Alternatives to Waste Disposal

Contents

• Introduction
• Internet Resources
1. Articles/Publications
2. Journals
3. Federal Publication Sources
• Funding Sources
1. Federal Funding
2. Private Funding
• Additional Resources
1. State Environmental Offices
2. Organizations
3. Published Journals

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

Introduction

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

Internet Resources

1. "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.

2. 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.

3. "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.

4. "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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. "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.

8. 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.

9. "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.

10. "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.

11. 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.

12. 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).

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. "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.

19. "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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

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

• EPA Composting Publications: http://www.epa.gov/compost/pubs.htm
  
• EPA Recycling Publications: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/recycle.htm
  
• PA Source Reduction Publications: http://www.epa.gov/osw/inforesources/pubs/source_reduction.htm
  
• EPA Regional Office: http://www.epa.gov/epahome/postal.htm

Funding Sources

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.

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

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

Additional Resources

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/

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

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