Five Elements for a Successful IWMP

Blackfeet Nation Plans for a Cleaner 

Today and Greener Tomorrow

Washoe Plan: A Roadmap for 

Recycling Success

Issue 7 | September 2009 | EPA530-N-09-002

What is an Integrated Waste 

Management Plan (IWMP)?
issue 7 september 2009

1 Solid Waste—

Endangering Our Health 

and Our Land

3 Waste Management: 

Developing an Integrated 

Plan for Your Tribe 

5 Blackfeet Nation Plans 

for a Cleaner Today and 

Greener Tomorrow

7 Waste: What it is and Why 

it Matters

10 Washoe Plan: A Roadmap 

for Recycling Success

12 Five Elements for a 

Successful IWMP

15 Goals: The Backbone of 

Your IWMP

16 The Perks of a Waste 

Management Plan

17 The TSWAN Template: 

A Model for Waste 

Management Success

19 New IWMP Tool for Alaska 

Tribes and Native Villages

21 General Waste 

Management Information

23 Tips for Funding an 

Integrated Waste 

Management Plan

25 Funding Opportunities 

for Integrated Waste 

Management Plans

27 Today's Kids, Tomorrow's 

Recyclers
Solid Waste—Endangering Our 

Health and Our Land

Open dumps are defined by the 

U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA) as “areas where 

waste is disposed of without 

proper controls, including regular 

application of cover, controlled 

access to the site, and other 

environmental controls.”

In the past, people have disposed 

of their waste in open pits or by 

burning it. These practices are 

no longer considered safe or 

effective because of what we now 

know about the types of waste 

generated today. The increase 

in plastics and other synthetic 

materials in the waste stream, in 

addition to the growth in the sheer 

volume of waste, make open 

dumping and backyard burning 

dangerous to human health and 

the environment.

Open dumps create an unhealthy 

environment, with adverse health 

effects for both people and 

animals. People who frequently 

visit or rummage through open 

dumps can be hurt by sharp 

objects. They also can come in 

contact with toxic materials or 

contagious pathogens, which 

can lead to gastroenteritis; skin 

rashes and infections; or eye, 

nose, and ear infections. Open 

dumps also attract pests such as 

insects, rats, bears, birds, and 

raccoons that can potentially 

hurt people and spread disease. 

People who depend on wildlife for 

subsistence are especially vulnerable to illnesses stemming from 

open dump contamination.

In addition, illegal dumping 

of solid waste (such as major 

appliances, construction and 

demolition debris, and household 

garbage) and hazardous waste 

(such as chemicals, pesticides, 

and medical waste) poses a 

significant threat to the surrounding soil and ground water. Open 

dumps can catch fire and release 

particulate matter and dioxins 

into the air and ecosystem. Some 

waste can even harbor vectors 

for disease, such as mosquitoes 

breeding in old water-filled tires.

Burning waste can also release 

dangerous chemicals into the 

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1

Tires, appliances, furniture, car batteries, and abandoned vehicles may litter reservations. Backyard 

burning of waste pollutes the air and poisons fish and wildlife. People from on and off reservations 

may be illegally dumping solid and hazardous waste on tribal lands. These are just some of the 

waste issues that are pervasive problems on tribal lands. However, Integrated Waste Management 

Plans (IWMPs) may offer tribes an efficient and cost-effective way to reduce open dumping, 

effectively manage solid waste, and protect human health and the environment for this generation 

and the next.
Tribal Waste Journal

2

atmosphere where they are inhaled immediately or settle on plants and bodies of water. Once the chemicals 

are released into the atmosphere they may enter the food chain. Air pollutants released by backyard burning 

include dioxins, fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 

volatile organic compounds, and hydrogen chloride. The ash residue from burning also can contain dangerous 

levels of toxic heavy metals, such as mercury, lead, chromium, and arsenic, which can contaminate water or 

enter the food chain.

The impacts of improper solid waste management go beyond these health and environmental problems. 

Open dumps and backyard burning also degrade the land by destroying fish and wildlife habitat, and can 

threaten the species themselves. Many tribes and villages depend on these natural resources for their 

economic survival. In the Pacific Northwest, for example, salmon are central to many tribes’ social, spiritual, 

and economic livelihood. Uncontrolled dumping and burning degrades other natural resources, such as 

timber, farm land, and recreational areas. In some cases, open dumping infringes upon or threatens culturally 

or spiritually significant lands.

IWMPs offer a comprehensive means of addressing all these problems by combining complementary 

waste management alternatives, including waste prevention, recycling, composting, and disposal. Through 

the development of these plans, a tribe can assess its current and future waste management needs, set 

priorities, and allocate resources accordingly. Understanding the tribe’s priorities will help ensure that the 

waste management system offers the highest level of protection to human health and the environment. 

Thus, EPA suggests that all tribes consider developing such a plan, and offers the following tips, tools, and 

success stories.
What Is an IWMP and 

Why It Is Important? 

An IWMP is a document that 

outlines various aspects of waste 

management, including the collection, storage, and disposal of 

waste, source reduction, recycling 

and composting, facility management, and budgeting and financing. 

This plan identifies existing solid 

waste systems, assesses needs, 

and sets forth the ways to design, 

implement, and monitor a more 

effective and sustainable solid 

waste management program. 

There are several reasons why 

every tribe should create and 

implement an IWMP. A plan can 

serve as a roadmap for developing 

an effective waste management 

program and can help guide your 

tribe’s waste management efforts. 

In addition, the plan will help your 

tribe identify successful strategies 

for managing both current and 

future waste streams. This will 

help your tribe anticipate and meet 

both existing and future needs. 

In addition, developing an IWMP 

is useful because it provides tribes 

with a way to identify waste management funding needs, research 

potential funding sources, and 

track funding requests. Outlining 

the necessary resources, including 

a budget and schedule, will help 

to ensure that the financial needs 

of tribes are understood, thus 

ensuring the sustainability of the 

waste management program. Furthermore, government agencies 

that provide financial assistance to 

tribal communities for solid waste 

management look for sustainable 

programs and detailed financial 

planning (see “Tips for Funding an 

Integrated Waste Management 

Plan” on page 23). 

Geography, demographics, 

financial needs, cultural needs, 

and current waste management 

practices are all described in an 

IWMP. For these reasons, no two 

IWMPs are exactly the same. 

Plans should be specific to each 

tribe and based on the tribe’s 

technical and financial resources, 

as well as its priorities. Therefore, 

each plan should provide the 

specific information and guidance 

a tribe needs to make critical 

decisions regarding waste 

management. 

Waste Management: Developing an 

Integrated Plan for Your Tribe

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3

Managing waste is a challenge because it poses unique problems, is pervasive throughout all 

aspects of life, and must often be handled with limited resources. Therefore, it is important for 

each tribe to develop a strategy for handling waste that prevents harmful methods of waste 

disposal and instead includes alternative solutions that lead to safer waste management 

practices that will work and will be sustainable in the long-run. To help develop such a strategy, 

the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that every tribe create a detailed, 

comprehensive plan, known as an Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP). 
Tribal Waste Journal

4

Key decisions that should be 

addressed in the process of 

planning for and writing an 

IWMP include:

•	 Is waste management a 

top priority?

•	 What are the most challenging 

waste management issues?

•	 What opportunities exist 

for waste reduction?

•	 What type of collection 

system can the tribe use for 

waste and recyclables?

•	 How much funding will be 

needed to implement the 

program now and sustain it in 

the future?

•	 What resources are available?

Setting Goals

Every IWMP needs a set of 

goals and objectives (see 

“Goals: The Backbone of 

Your IWMP“ on page 15). For 

example, if illegal dumping is 

a problem in your community, 

a goal might be to reduce the 

number of illegal dump sites 

by using enforcement tools. 

Goals may vary, but should be 

identified and established at 

the beginning of the planning 

process to help create a vision. 

They should also include targets 

to measure progress. Generally, 

the goals should follow the 

hierarchy of waste management, which prefers source 

reduction, followed by reuse, 

recycling, and disposal. Other 

goals and objectives may be:

•	 Protecting tribal members’ 

health and safety.

•	 Obtaining tribal governments’ 

support for funding and 

enforcement of waste management issues.

•	 Enhancing waste reduction 

programs to achieve a 

minimum of 50 percent waste 

reduction.

•	 Coordinating and communicating with other jurisdictions and 

government entities to carry 

out components of the plan.

•	 Increasing public awareness 

of solid waste issues through 

education and information 

dissemination. 

•	 Creating convenient recycling 

opportunities throughout the 

community.

•	 Maintaining efficient and 

environmentally safe landfill 

operations.

•	 Providing incentives to 

separate, reduce, reuse, 

and recycle.

Waste management is a 

complex puzzle with many 

pieces. An IWMP will enable a 

tribe to look at various aspects 

of waste management and 

determine the best course of 

action for implementing and 

operating an integrated program. 

Whether the goals are shortor long-term, a coordinated 

and comprehensive plan will 

guide and focus efforts toward 

achieving success. Ultimately, 

an IWMP will help a tribe 

reduce, manage, and dispose 

of waste through a system 

that offers the highest level of 

protection to the health of tribal 

members and the environment.

Landfilling and Incineration

without Energy Recovery

Combustion and

Energy Recovery

Recycling/

Composting

Source

Reduction

and Reuse

Most Preferred

Least Preferred

Solid Waste 

Management 

Hierarchy

If you would like to follow the 

suggestions of EPA’s solid 

waste management hierarchy, 

your waste management 

goals should focus on source 

reduction and reuse as being 

the most preferred ways to 

address solid waste.

Source: EPA (www.epa.gov/garbage/faq.htm)

No two IWMPs are exactly the same. Plans should be specific 

to each tribe and based on the tribe’s technical and financial 

resources, as well as its priorities.
Tribal Waste Journal

5

The Blackfeet Nation Environmental Office created its IWMP 

several years ago, with assistance 

from EPA Region 8. In creating 

the plan, the Environmental Office 

gained a better understanding 

of the resources and programs 

that existed, accomplishments, 

needs, and what resources were 

lacking, says Gerald Wagner, 

Director of the Blackfeet Nation 

Environmental Office.

As part of the development of 

their IWMP, the environmental 

staff discussed various waste 

management options, including 

opening a new certified landfill. 

Public meetings were held to 

gather the community’s input. In 

the end, when implementing the 

IWMP, the Blackfeet Nation chose 

to construct a transfer station to 

collect, process, and haul trash to 

a certified offsite landfill.

The IWMP development process 

also led to the determination that, 

ideally, the Blackfeet Nation’s solid 

waste program should be carried 

out by one full-time, fully funded 

employee. However, even without 

a full-time employee dedicated to 

implementing the IWMP, the staff 

has been able to become more 

organized. These efforts have 

allowed staff to respond to calls 

and inquiries about waste, ensure 

regulatory compliance, and investigate incidents of illegal dumping 

as well as other crimes. 

Another outcome from developing an IWMP has been that 

Mr. Wagner is able to more 

effectively explain the solid waste 

program to tribal members, 

especially those who believe that 

waste management services 

should be free of charge. The 

Environmental Office provides 

trash containers for a fee to construction sites, people undertaking renovations, special events, 

and more. The Environmental 

Office also charges fees for 

hauling the trash and may have to 

raise these fees in the future.

“Many people have the mentality 

that they don’t have to pay 

for government services, and 

this myth has to be dispelled,” 

explains Mr. Wagner. “The IWMP 

helps us do that by letting people 

see what they’re getting for

their money.” 

Blackfeet Nation Plans for a Cleaner 

Today and Greener Tomorrow

In Montana, the Blackfeet Nation has adopted a comprehensive approach to solid waste management that has led to a more efficient waste disposal program. To devise this comprehensive 

approach, the Blackfeet Nation developed an Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP). This 

plan helps the tribe meet its current and future waste management needs.
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6

In addition, the plan has helped bring the Blackfeet Nation closer to having a waste management program 

that is sustainable and protects human health and the environment. The goal of the Blackfeet Nation’s Environmental Office is to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment on its tribal lands through environmental stewardship. This plan is a large part of the Blackfeet Nation’s efforts to meet this goal.

The IWMP also has been helpful in meetings with the Blackfeet community and elected officials to demonstrate what the Environmental Office is doing, future goals, and what resources are needed for managing 

wastes on tribal lands. In addition, the IWMP illustrates how every tribal member plays a role in keeping the 

Blackfeet Reservation, as well as Big Sky country, clean and safe. “Questions about solid waste need to be 

rephrased to ask, ‘What are we going to do about the trash problem? What are we going to do about open 

dumping?” Mr. Wagner says. “Everyone has to be part of the solution.”

For more information on the Blackfeet Nation’s activities, contact Gerald Wagner at 406–338–7421 or 

gwagner@3rivers.net.

The Integrated Waste Management Plan has helped bring the 

Blackfeet Nation closer to having a waste management program 

that is sustainable and protects human health and the environment. 
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7

Waste: What it is and Why it Matters

General Household & 

Commercial Waste

General household and commercial waste is generated from the 

everyday items we use at home 

and at work such as food scraps, 

newspaper, paper, cardboard 

boxes, bottles, cans, and much 

more. General household and 

commercial waste consists of 

the items typically thought of as 

“garbage” or “trash.” 

Many communities and businesses have created and implemented practices to reduce, 

recycle, and better manage 

everyday waste. Recycling 

programs, where materials like 

glass, metal, plastics, and paper 

are collected, separated, and sent 

to facilities that process them into 

new materials or products, have 

become more common. In 2006, 

more than 8,660 curbside collection programs served roughly 

half of the population in the 

United States. 

However, for many tribal communities, their geographic location 

and rural setting creates additional challenges for efficiently 

managing waste. Being located 

far from any municipality or city 

can make it difficult to properly 

dispose of waste. Part of the 

solution could be to partner with 

neighboring communities to hold 

collection events and include 

these waste streams in their Integrated Waste Management Plans. 

The best option is, of course, to 

generate less waste in the first 

place. Common waste prevention 

practices include reusing plastic 

bottles, bags, containers, and 

coffee mugs; substituting paper 

with cloth napkins; and purchasing 

items that are durable, made from 

recyclables, and packaged in 

less material. 

Special Waste

Waste that requires special 

handling or consideration when 

being disposed of is often 

referred to as “special waste.” 

This waste is not normally 

collected with other solid waste 

and requires special planning for 

proper disposal. The following 

types of waste are included in 

this category.

Countless items and materials contribute to the waste stream. These items can be placed into 

two categories, based on the nature of the item and disposal requirements. The first category, 

general household and commercial waste, typically includes everyday products and items used at 

home and in the office. The second category of waste, known as “special waste,” includes items 

that require special arrangements for disposal. The following provides more information on these 

two categories of waste and related sub-categories.
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8

Household 

Hazardous Waste

Some products used for 

everyday household cleaning 

and upkeep contain corrosive, 

toxic, ignitable, and/or reactive 

ingredients. These products are 

considered to be “household 

hazardous waste,” which can be 

harmful to humans and the environment if they are not disposed 

of properly. Often people do not 

realize that leftover household 

products, such as oil, batteries, 

cleaners, furniture polishes, and 

paints, need to be disposed of 

in a special manner. Improper 

disposal, such as pouring these 

wastes down the drain or 

dumping them in the backyard, 

can lead to explosions, fires, and 

contamination of soil and ground 

water. Hosting semi-annual or 

annual collection events and 

partnering with other local communities to combine volume 

and reduce hauling costs can 

help to effectively manage 

household hazardous waste.

Construction and 

Demolition Debris 

Construction and demolition 

(C&D) debris is generated 

from a variety of construction 

and demolition activities. The 

quantity and type of C&D debris 

can vary greatly depending 

on the type of construction 

(e.g., office buildings, recreational facilities, schools, and 

residences), and the type of 

project (e.g., new construction, 

remodeling, renovation, clearing 

of land, and road repair). C&D 

debris is generally bulky waste 

and can include wood, broken 

concrete, steel, asphalt, brick, 

plaster, wallboard, and piping.

Many components of C&D 

debris can be recycled including 

asphalt, concrete, wood, metals, 

and even “mixed-waste” rubble. 

Recycling facilities for these 

materials vary by market (check 

with your local municipality to 

see what items they accept for 

recycling). In addition, some 

C&D debris may be considered 

hazardous waste and should 

be separated and disposed of 

properly.

Batteries 

Batteries of every shape and 

size serve as a convenient 

power source in everything 

from children’s toys to 

emergency radios, but once 

a non-rechargeable battery no 

longer produces power, it is 

considered a special waste 

and requires proper disposal. 

Batteries contain heavy 

metals such as mercury, lead, 

cadmium, and nickel, which can 

contaminate the environment. 

When burned, these metals 

can be released into the air or 

can concentrate in the ash. All 

batteries can and should be 

recycled. The Web site of the 

Rechargeable Battery Recycling 

Corporation, a nonprofit organization, can help you find a 

nearby battery and cell phone 

recycling location by zip code. 

Also, be sure to visit Earth 911’s 

Web site, www.earth911.org/

consumer/index.php, to locate 

one of the more than 50,000 

recycling or reuse locations 

nationwide. 

Tires

Scrap tires from cars, trucks, 

and farm equipment, when 

improperly disposed, can pose a 

threat to human health and the 

environment. Placing scrap tires 

into a landfill or dumping them 

into a large pile creates multiple 

threats, such as the potential 

for large, difficult-to-extinguish 

fires that release smoke and 

toxic oils. The shape of tires also 

collects and holds rainwater, 

creating an ideal habitat for 

breeding of mosquitoes and 

rodents that can carry diseases. 

For more information on 

scrap tires and how to recycle 

them, visit www.epa.gov/osw/

conserve/materials/tires/

publications.htm. 

Used Oil 

Used motor oil is insoluble, slow 

to degrade, and can contain 

toxic materials. During normal 

use, oil can get mixed with dirt, 

metals, water, and chemicals, 

which is why it needs to be 

replaced periodically with 

new oil. But when used oil 

is disposed of improperly or 

dumped illegally, it can pollute 

waterways and contaminate 

drinking water supplies. Used 

motor oil can be recycled, and 

many service stations or local 

recycling centers have collections for motor oil recycling.

Partnering with neighboring communities to hold collection events 

and build other waste streams into their waste management 

systems can prove to be effective and efficient options.
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9

Medical Waste

Medical waste is all waste materials generated from health care facilities, including hospitals, clinics, 

physicians’ offices, dental practices, blood banks, medical research facilities/laboratories, and veterinary 

hospitals/clinics. Examples of medical waste from health care facilities include bandages; culture dishes 

and other glassware; discarded surgical gloves; discarded surgical instruments; discarded needles used to 

give shots or draw blood; cultures, stocks, and swabs used to inoculate cultures; removed body organs; and 

discarded lancets. 

Medical waste can also be generated in the home, such as needles and syringes used in diabetes care. Medical 

waste can be infectious, hazardous, or radioactive, and it is important for this type of medical waste to be 

disposed of properly. Visit www.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/industrial/medical/disposal.htm or www.naepc.com/

announcements/THCbook[1].pdf for safe disposal methods of medical waste.

Other

Additional types of special waste include, but are not limited to, furniture, appliances, automobiles, liquid 

waste, asbestos waste, petroleum contaminated soil, and yard and agricultural waste.

Due to the rural locations of some tribal communities, some tribes face unique challenges for managing 

waste, particularly special waste. Partnering with neighboring communities to hold collection events and 

build other waste streams into their waste management systems can prove to be effective and efficient 

options. Also, tribes can explore regional resources at www.epa.gov/epawaste/wycd/tribal/about.htm and 

contact their regional coordinators to learn about potential partnership opportunities, established programs in 

their area, and available support for establishing waste management systems.

Being aware of the various types of waste is the first step to understanding how to properly dispose of 

items once they are no longer needed. Whether at home, at work, or elsewhere in the community, waste 

is a complex issue that requires a well-developed management plan for reduction and disposal. Visit 

www.epa.gov/epawaste/index.htm for more information.
Tribal Waste Journal

10

When the Washoe Tribe began 

developing their IWMP in 2002, 

they already had recycling and 

hazardous waste plans in place. 

The next year, the tribe started 

developing their IWMP by 

collecting data from members 

on their daily habits, solid waste 

needs, interest in recycling and 

composting, and more. Tribal representatives gathered this data 

by distributing questionnaires 

and going door to door to talk to 

community members. Approximately 80 percent of residents 

responded to these inquiries. 

Then in 2004, a waste stream 

analysis (WSA) was conducted 

to determine the quantity and 

composition of the solid waste 

generated within the communities. The WSA involved hands-on 

community waste sorts and was 

a collaborative effort between 

Douglas County Disposal and the 

tribe. The WSA provided significant 

data to assist with the IWMP. 

“This proved to be one of the 

most important steps in developing 

the IWMP,” says Washoe Environmental Director Marie Barry. 

In 2004, the tribe completed its 

IWMP, which was then approved 

by their tribal council.

The tribe’s plan provided several 

options for solid waste collection, 

including recycling and composting, and they have implemented 

several components of this plan. 

Most notably, the tribe started 

a curbside recycling program. 

This program has been very 

successful and has led to a 

significant increase in the amount 

of material that is recycled 

rather than thrown in the trash. 

“If resources were available, 

we could go from two to three 

pickups a week because of all the 

material we’re collecting,” says 

Ms. Barry.

This success is largely due to the 

fact that the recycling program is 

easy for residents to use. Each 

participating household receives 

three stackable recycling bins, 

and the tribe collects plastics, 

paper, cardboard, and other 

materials twice a week (once 

for residents and once for businesses). The recycling bins were 

purchased through a grant from 

the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. Before the 

curbside recycling program was 

implemented, people had to take 

recyclables to dropoff areas once 

a week. Curbside pickup has 

made recycling much more accessible to the entire tribe, which 

Washoe Plan: A Roadmap for 

Recycling Success

The Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California recently proved that even good recycling and 

hazardous waste management plans can be improved through the development of an Integrated 

Waste Management Plan (IWMP). After developing an IWMP several years ago, the tribe 

improved its recycling program to make it more effective and more accessible to the community.
Tribal Waste Journal

11

stretches across three communities in Nevada and one in California. These pickups are supplemented with 

community cleanups, where residents bring material to a central location for disposal. 

Since implementation of the IWMP, the tribe has learned that outreach is an important part of successful 

waste management. The Washoe Environmental Protection Department distributes monthly newsletters and 

participates in community and tribal council meetings to inform members about the solid waste program’s 

activities. Children are also a special focus of the outreach efforts, as children are often eager to learn about 

the environment and can educate their parents. Outreach to children is conducted at several places, including 

local Head Start facilities and Project Venture outings. The tribe also hosts events throughout the year, such 

as Earth Week, which feature waste-related activities.

The tribe’s resources are limited, and their greatest challenge remains financial. While residents do not 

have to pay for curbside recycling, they do pay for waste removal, so some residents delay disposal of their 

trash until community cleanup days. In addition, non-residents are known to come onto tribal lands to dump 

garbage illegally. This is becoming increasingly common as more cities and towns grow in size and begin to 

encroach on tribal lands. Development of the IWMP also led to implementation of a Washoe Tribe telephone 

hotline that residents can call to report illegal dumping.

Despite their limited resources, the Washoe Tribe is continuing to look for ways to make their waste management program more sustainable. For example, tribal representatives participate in a Nevada Tribal Solid 

Waste Group, which meets twice a year and includes representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Indian Health 

Services, and Bureau of Indian Affairs. Participants are trying to develop a business plan for a sustainable 

joint recycling program. The IWMP has also led the tribe to sell scrap metal and participate in automobile 

recycling. In addition, the tribe has considered opening their own transfer station, where fees from collected 

materials could help fund the solid waste program.

For more information on the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California’s activities, contact Marie Barry at 

775–265–8682 or marie.barry@washoetribe.us.

Photos provided courtesy of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. 
Tribal Waste Journal

12

Through the preparation of 

these plans, a tribe can assess 

current and future waste management needs, set priorities, 

and allocate resources accordingly. However, until now, little 

information was available on how 

to develop an IWMP. To assist 

tribes, the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office 

of Resource Conservation and 

Recovery (formerly the Office 

of Solid Waste), along with 

several EPA regional offices and 

other federal agencies, have 

described five elements that 

should generally be included in a 

tribe’s IWMP, unless information 

is provided that such element(s) 

are not appropriate or necessary. 

These elements can help a 

tribe meet solid waste management goals and protect both the 

health of tribal members and the 

environment. 

The five elements described 

below represent the basic 

items that should be included 

in an IWMP. However, a plan 

may not necessarily need all of 

the elements due to the tribe’s 

particular situation. If the tribe, for 

example, has a contract or some 

other mechanism in place to 

collect, transport, and dispose of 

waste, an abbreviated plan would 

be considered sufficient. 

First, a tribe completing 

an IWMP should include a 

description of the community 

service area. Defining the 

current and projected extended 

community that may be served by 

the plan is important to effectively 

address current and future solid 

waste needs. This background 

information will also be helpful 

when preparing later sections of 

the IWMP.

Information on population 

and demographics, including 

population projections, should go 

into this section. Projections and 

related waste generation rates can 

be used to estimate the life spans 

of available disposal facilities and 

predict future needs. The section 

should also include information 

on households and housing. Data 

on the number and location of 

households and housing clusters, 

for instance, can be used to 

predict how fast waste will be 

generated, assess proposed alternatives, develop fee structures, 

and predict revenue.

In addition, community assets, 

resources, and the local economy 

should be addressed when 

describing the community service 

area. Such details can be used 

to assess community-specific 

economic needs and predict 

Five Elements for a Successful IWMP

An Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP) is a document that outlines how a tribe or village 

will reduce, manage, and dispose of its waste. It offers a comprehensive approach for managing 

waste, thereby protecting human health and the environment. 
the specific needs of factories 

and other industrial generators 

of waste. The section should 

also include climate information, as local climate conditions 

may determine the feasibility 

of waste collection, storage, 

transfer, and disposal plans. 

Tribes may also want to include 

information on geography, 

geology, and natural resources. 

Geographical features may limit 

final disposal options and dictate 

specific needs of the solid waste 

program. Information about the 

geological and engineering properties of the ground and soil is 

particularly important when considering landfill site selection, 

closure of existing dumps, and 

economic feasibility studies.

To collect this information, 

begin by visiting the U.S. 

Census Bureau Web site at 

www.census.gov. A tribal, local, 

or county housing office might 

also provide statistical information about the population. 

Depending on the size of the 

community served, conducting 

local surveys can be effective 

for gathering details. All sources 

should be cited in an IWMP.

Second, a tribe's IWMP should 

include a description of the 

structure and administration of 

the solid waste program. These 

details will provide a basis for 

decisions about long-term management plans, and will clarify 

necessary improvements to 

maintain a successful solid waste 

program. A description of codes 

and ordinances and information about related enforcement 

policies also are important in 

maintaining compliance.

To gather this information for the 

IWMP, begin by speaking with 

other local (tribal and nontribal) 

solid waste program managers 

to assess the effectiveness of 

their organizational structure, 

codes and ordinances, and 

enforcement strategies already 

in use. 

Third, an IWMP should 

include a description of the 

tribe’s current and proposed 

waste management practices.

The section should be detailed 

enough that the strengths and 

weaknesses of existing and 

proposed practices can be 

assessed. The description of 

current waste management 

practices should address who 

is generating the waste; the 

amount and composition of 

waste generated; estimates 

of how much waste will 

be generated in the future; 

the number of unmanaged 

waste sites; how household, 

special, and hazardous waste 

is collected, transferred, and 

disposed; waste reduction 

practices; and descriptions of 

waste disposal facilities, regional 

infrastructure, and current partnerships. Presenting the current 

practices in detail will clarify 

the elements of the existing 

program that are successful and 

any that should be improved.

An IWMP should include:

1. Description of the community service area;

2. Description of the tribe’s waste management program structure and administration; 

3. Description of the tribe’s current and proposed waste management practices; 

4. Description of the funding, sustainability, and long-term goals of the tribe's waste 

management program; and

5. Documentation of approval of the IWMP by appropriate governing body.

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The description of proposed waste management practices should include information about special 

considerations, limitations, and inefficiencies of the current program as well as equipment and facility needs. 

Furthermore, the description should include a detailed alternatives analysis, with information about the cost 

and feasibility of the alternatives considered and details about the proposed waste management and waste 

reduction practices, such as information about the collection and disposal of all waste, including special and 

hazardous waste. In addition, the description should include language describing potential partnerships, 

compliance and enforcement issues, community education efforts, and the tribe’s implementation strategy. 

Presenting the proposed practices in detail will help define the aspects of the considered alternatives that 

are most beneficial to the solid waste program. Also, providing information about proposed partnerships, 

enforcement policies, community education, and implementation will show governing bodies and potential 

funding sources that the plan is well thought out and likely to succeed.

A tribe could take any of numerous approaches to collect the information to satisfy this element of an IWMP. 

For example, they might inventory the current waste generators and determine the categories they fit into, 

and compile a list of potential future waste generators. This would include residents as well as businesses, 

schools, and government facilities. A tribe might further inventory the weight and volume of waste managed 

by the system in order to determine values per capita, per industry, and so on. Many states maintain Web 

sites that provide waste generation rate data. EPA also has reports and links to state and national data at 

www.epa.gov/msw/index.htm.

Fourth, an IWMP should include a description of the funding, sustainability, and long-term goals of a 

tribe’s solid waste program. This element describes an entity’s long-term goals and strategies for financing 

and sustaining its waste management program. This section also should show how the waste management 

program will effectively serve the community. Full descriptions in this area should show a commitment to 

improving services beyond basic compliance.

A tribe could use a variety of methods to collect the recommended information, such as consulting with 

other tribal waste management programs for ideas about sustainable funding, and with other programs 

serving communities with similar geography and populations for ideas about developing the most effective 

fee structure. A tribe should look at a roster of current waste generators to get an idea of how much it might 

collect in fees, and should consult information on the number of households served and estimated population growth to project estimates of future revenue. EPA provides links to resources used in developing fee 

structures at www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/payt/top15.htm. 

Last, an IWMP should show how and when the plan was approved or acknowledged, and by what 

entity. Ideally, approval or acknowledgement would be by Tribal Council Resolution. A tribe should coordinate 

with governing agencies that will be affected or involved with solid waste management, and agree on a 

format to indicate approval. 

Developing and implementing an IWMP requires flexibility and creativity. Be prepared to reevaluate 

components of your plan. Also, keep in mind that the ultimate goal of an IWMP is to improve human health 

and protect the environment. 

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Developing practical and achievable goals is one of the most 

critical steps in the process of 

creating an IWMP. These goals 

will serve as the backbone of the 

waste management program. 

In addition, short- and long-term 

goals will guide planning and can 

help tribes focus on their priorities. 

Goals also provide a target to help 

measure progress. For example, 

if a tribe sets a goal of reducing 

backyard burning, it can measure 

its progress by how much 

backyard burning decreases.

A tribe’s goals should address 

the problems or opportunities 

within its current waste management practices. A good way to 

determine goals is for tribes to 

list their values and what they 

would like to accomplish. In 

doing this, tribes should actively 

solicit input from members to 

better understand the range of 

issues that members want to 

solve and accomplishments they 

want to achieve. While some 

goals should address short-term 

accomplishments, others should 

focus on the long term. Typical 

goals include encouraging more 

recycling and reuse, reducing the 

amount of trash sent to landfills, 

partnering with neighboring 

communities to save money on 

waste management practices, 

and discouraging open dumping.

Tribes should develop a goal 

statement for each problem and/

or proposed improvement. A goal 

statement is a specific description 

of what needs to be done. For 

example, if the community has a 

problem with uncontrolled open 

dumping, the goal statement 

might be: Control open dumping 

to protect human health, the 

environment, and tribal resources.

Once the goal statement is 

defined, develop actions to 

accomplish this goal. To reduce 

uncontrolled dumping, an action 

might be: Develop and enforce 

regulations that prohibit uncontrolled open dumping. In this 

case, a tribe could evaluate their 

progress toward meeting this 

goal by measuring the number 

of uncontrolled dump sites in the 

community from year to year.

Once a tribe determines its goals, 

it will have completed an integral 

step to developing an IWMP. With 

clearly defined goals, a tribe can 

be sure their IWMP addresses 

their priorities and meets the 

needs of their community now 

and in the future. 

Goals: The Backbone of Your IWMP

Determining where to begin when developing, implementing, or updating your Integrated Waste 

Management Plan (IWMP) can be a challenge. To overcome this challenge, tribes can start by evaluating their current waste management practices and identifying existing or potential problem areas. 

This will help during the second step: setting goals for the IWMP and waste management program.
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16

For example, by developing an 

IWMP, a tribe is better able to 

determine and prioritize their 

waste management challenges. 

The process of creating an IWMP 

requires a tribe to evaluate various 

social, financial, technical, and 

environmental factors and identify 

what is most important when 

it comes to managing waste, 

whether it is saving money, being 

more environmentally sustainable, 

or moving trash away from homes. 

Once a tribe determines its priorities, it is better positioned to figure 

out how to spend money and 

which programs to implement. 

Developing an IWMP also helps to 

increase awareness among tribal 

community members and leaders 

about waste-related issues and 

environmental topics. An IWMP 

is vastly improved when a tribe 

gathers community feedback 

during the planning and decisionmaking process. In addition, this 

is an excellent opportunity to 

educate the tribal community 

about the importance of reducing, 

reusing, and recycling waste (the 

3 Rs); the dangers of open dumps; 

and proper ways to dispose of 

solid and hazardous waste. 

In addition to providing an educational opportunity, public involvement can help increase support 

for waste programs. Community 

members are more likely to 

support and participate in waste 

management programs when they 

are involved in the planning from 

the beginning. This is especially 

true when community members 

are involved in the decisions 

that impact their everyday lives, 

such as the frequency of waste 

collection and the location of 

waste disposal facilities. 

Another reason for tribes to 

develop an IWMP is that the 

process can help them identify 

new funding sources. To create an 

IWMP, tribes should assess their 

financial resources to determine 

how to pay for new programs. 

Through this process, tribes can 

discover new ways to obtain 

funds, such as grants; or other 

ways to generate revenue, such as 

selling scrap metal. 

These are just a few of the many 

benefits of developing an IWMP. 

Every tribe is unique; therefore, 

every IWMP should be developed 

to meet the needs of a specific 

tribe and its waste management 

challenges.

The Perks of a Waste

Management Plan 

Tribes and Alaskan Native Villages can receive numerous benefits by developing Integrated Waste 

Management Plans (IWMPs). First and foremost, IWMPs can assist tribal communities in solving 

their most pressing waste management challenges, such as where to properly dispose of waste, 

how to reduce disposal costs, and how to increase recycling. Developing an IWMP also can 

help a tribe develop a self-sustaining waste program that is not only environmentally friendly but 

also helps pay for itself by selling recyclable materials. While these may be some of the greatest 

benefits of an IWMP, there are additional benefits to tribes. 
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The Advantage 

of IWMPs

The numerous benefits of IWMPs 

are highlighted throughout this 

publication. In addition to those 

previously cited, an IWMP can 

help tribes that experience 

frequent turnover among 

decision-makers. An IWMP can 

ensure that a tribe’s long-term 

priorities and goals are clearly 

defined from one decision-maker 

to the next. IWMPs can also 

help satisfy the growing demand 

among many tribes to be more 

environmentally friendly. 

In addition, some tribal communities have started to charge a fee 

for waste disposal. Implementing 

an IWMP can help tribes develop 

a systematic approach for determining these fees. 

TSWAN encourages all tribes 

to develop IWMPs because 

the plans can be so beneficial. 

However, TSWAN also recognizes that creating an IWMP can 

pose an administrative burden 

and that some tribes may be 

uncertain about what to include 

in their plan. To assist tribes in 

overcoming these challenges, 

TSWAN developed its own 

template of an IWMP. 

Understanding 

the Template 

The TSWAN template enables the 

user to fill in the blanks with information pertaining to their unique 

situation to create a custom 

IWMP. While the template may 

be used by any tribe, it may not 

be perfectly suited for Alaskan 

Native Villages because of their 

unique circumstances. (For more 

information on a template suitable 

for native villages in Alaska, see 

page 19.) 

TSWAN divided the template into 

three parts for a phased approach. 

The first is a step-by-step guide 

for collecting information that 

helps to determine what data are 

needed for the IWMP. The second 

part is where the user inserts 

information and data. Using the 

inserted data, the template helps 

generate graphs and charts to aid 

the user in determining the best 

waste management tools and 

protocols for a tribe’s situation. 

The third part of the template 

includes sample language for 

a tribe to use to create a draft 

document.

The TSWAN Template: A Model for 

Waste Management Success

According to the Tribal Solid Waste Advisory Network (TSWAN), a nonprofit alliance of tribes that 

strives to improve waste management on tribal lands, more than 80 percent of its 29 member 

tribes do not have viable Integrated Waste Management Plans (IWMPs). Tribes may not have a 

plan or may not have updated their existing plan in recent years. To encourage tribes to develop 

and update IWMPs, TSWAN developed an IWMP template. 
In addition to the three parts, the template includes chapters on brownfields and special wastes, and soon 

will include a chapter on construction and demolition debris. While the chapters together create a comprehensive document, each chapter in the template can also stand alone. For example, after users fill in the 

necessary information for the recycling chapter, they can either use that section as part of a larger IWMP or 

make it their tribal recycling plan.

Implementing the Template

TSWAN’s template is available to all tribes, not just TSWAN members. To date, TSWAN has distributed 

the template throughout EPA Regions 4, 9, and 10. Approximately 27 tribes in EPA Region 9 are using the 

template. In addition, since 2006, TSWAN has employed a circuit rider who has assisted several tribes, at 

no cost, with using the template. A few tribes also have hired their own contractors to help them develop 

IWMPs using the template. This method cuts contractor costs significantly because the template reduces 

the amount of work that contractors must perform compared to the work necessary to develop an IWMP 

from scratch.

Now that the template is successfully being used, TSWAN’s future steps include developing a training 

package that will help tribes gather data on waste issues and hosting a 3- or 4-day training course for tribal 

representatives on developing an IWMP. Training participants will leave the course with a partial draft of an 

IWMP to bring back to their tribes for completion.

Anyone interested in obtaining a copy of TSWAN’s template may contact Kami Snowden, Executive 

Director of TSWAN, at 509–235–6007 or ksnowden@tswan.org. For more information on TSWAN, 

Tribal Was

visit www.tswan.org.

te Journal

18
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To assist Alaska tribes in writing 

an IWMP to address their specific 

needs, Zender Environmental 

Health Group, a nonprofit organization, has developed the “Alaska 

Tribal Integrated Solid Waste Plan 

Template” (www.zendergroup.

org/plan.htm). Zender designed 

the template to reduce the need 

for assistance from outside 

consultants in writing a plan that 

contains all of the necessary 

elements. 

The template is a tool that 

encourages community participation and meets the individual 

and cultural needs of a village. It 

provides a unique, fill-in format, 

with examples that can be 

modified or deleted according to 

a tribe’s particular situation. The 

examples provide suggestions 

and are focused on reducing the 

health and environmental risks 

posed by solid waste disposal in 

rural Alaska. The template also 

includes online references in each 

section for additional help and 

features auto-numbered contents, 

chapters, table headings, and 

page numbers for ease of 

formatting and navigating.

Tribes and native villages can 

use the template to develop a 

full IWMP, or they can extract 

one or more of the 26 different 

tables and multiple sections 

to use for assisting in writing 

grants, as informational tools 

during community meetings, as 

operational checklists, or toward 

specific project planning tasks. 

Filling out the template assists 

tribes in describing their cultural 

history, current solid waste 

management practices, and how 

those practices could be more 

effective and efficient. Several 

of the tables in the template can 

help users prioritize their solid 

waste management activities 

based on select factors, such 

as traditional values, protection of subsistence resources, 

community health, and creation of 

jobs. These tables enable users to 

present alternatives to their Tribal 

Council or community members.

The most widely used sections 

of the template are the special 

waste tables, which were 

developed based on techniques 

used by commercial solid waste 

New IWMP Tool for Alaska Tribes 

And Native Villages

In the past, some Alaska tribes and native villages have hired consulting firms to write their Integrated Waste Management Plans (IWMPs). However, many of these consultants do not have the 

experience of living in rural areas of Alaska and, therefore, are unfamiliar with the different logistical, social, cultural, and financial circumstances posed by these remote places. Unfortunately, due 

to this lack of knowledge, many tribes have found that the plans developed by consultants did not 

address their particular village or community’s needs for waste management. 
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20

engineers and scientists. These tables (available in Microsoft Word® or automated in Microsoft Excel®) take 

advantage of each tribe or native village’s knowledge of their own communities. The user simply plugs in the 

number of households in the tribe along with a few other items, and the tables then calculate the total annual 

weight of special waste that may be generated by the tribe, such as waste from used vehicles, computers, 

etc. The resulting numbers are more accurate than a standard waste characterization and estimates from 

textbooks and other studies. Using the tables to develop these estimates provides Alaska tribes and native 

villages with a critical tool to address their unique waste management issues. 

After tribes and native villages have used the tables to generate waste estimates, they can use the numbers 

to begin planning for recycling equipment, community participation in recycling programs, and the purchase 

of hazardous waste storage sheds. Tribes and native villages also can use the tables to plan for “haul-back” 

operations because barge and plane companies often have minimum weight requirements. In addition, some 

small plane companies may have maximum weight limits for free haul service. Furthermore, they can also 

calculate the number of storage containers needed to house waste using the data generated by the tables. 

By providing annual waste generation numbers and weights, these tables allow for the development of a 

more comprehensive solid waste program. 

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Photos courtesy of Zender Environmental Health Group.
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U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA), 

Office of Solid Waste and 

Emergency Response 

(OSWER), Tribal Programs

OSWER created this Web site 

to improve outreach, consultation, and communication efforts 

with tribes by providing relevant 

information about EPA’s tribal 

programs and current efforts. 

This site features links to information on various topics, including 

tribal initiatives, publications, laws 

and regulations, and events and 

important dates. 

www.epa.gov/oswer/tribal

Cornell Waste Management 

Institute (CWMI)

CWMI serves the public through 

research, outreach, training, and 

technical assistance programs 

in solid waste disposal, management, and planning. This Web site 

provides information on CWMI’s 

activities, electronic access to its 

library, and online files of waste 

management publications. 

http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu

Council of Energy 

Resource Tribes (CERT) 

Environmental Program 

CERT, a nonprofit, multi-tribal 

organization, has undertaken 

environmental protection services 

that include environmental audits 

and needs assessments and 

technical assistance in the development of environmental quality 

control systems and solid and 

hazardous waste management 

systems. 

www.certredearth.com

Earth 911

This Web site provides local 

listings of recycling options for 

various items by state, city, or zip 

code. The site also provides information on product stewardship, 

green shopping, and activities for 

students and teachers. The same 

service is available by phone at 

1-800-CLEANUP.

www.earth911.org

EPA Tribal Solid Waste 

Management Program

This page provides links to more 

in-depth information on EPA's 

waste-related programs in Indian 

Country.

www.epa.gov/epawaste/wycd/

tribal/index.htm

General Waste Management 

Information

To learn more about the tools and programs currently available to help reduce waste and develop 

successful Integrated Waste Management Plans, visit some of the following Web sites.
EPA WasteWise Program

WasteWise is a voluntary 

partnership that allows organiza-

tions to create their own waste 

reduction programs. This Web 

site provides detailed informa-

tion on WasteWise, including 

case studies and publications, 

and a registration form to get 

started. 

www.epa.gov/wastewise

The Institute for 

Tribal Environmental 

Professionals (ITEP) 

ITEP provides assistance to 

tribes in promoting effective 

environmental resource 

management. This Web 

site includes information on 

education, training, information 

services, intergovernmental 

relations, and environmental 

program development. 

www4.nau.edu/itep

Keep America Beautiful, Inc.

This national, nonprofit, public 

education organization is 

dedicated to preserving the 

natural beauty and environment 

in American communities and 

improving waste handling 

practices at the community 

level. This Web site contains 

the organization’s calendar 

of events, links to member 

community home pages, and 

other resources on waste 

management. 

www.kab.org

National Safety 

Council, Safety and 

Health Policy Center 

This site from the National 

Safety Council promotes envi-

ronmental health and safety 

through programs focused 

on several topics, including 

air quality, sun safety, lead 

poisoning, hazardous chemicals, 

and solid waste. The solid waste 

portion of the site contains a 

link to the Electronic Product 

Recovery and Recycling Project 

and transcripts of broad-

casts of the radio program 

EnvironMinute that focused on 

solid waste issues. 

www.nsc.org

National Tribal 

Environmental Council 

(NTEC) 

NTEC is a membership group of 

tribes and Alaska Native Villages 

dedicated to the protection and 

preservation of tribal land. NTEC 

services include solid waste 

program mentors, environmen-

tal technical support, workshops 

on environmental issues, 

intergovernmental coopera-

tion, a resource clearinghouse, 

newsletters, updates, and 

federal regulatory and legislative 

summaries. 

www.ntec.org

Solid Waste Alaska Network 

While this organization's efforts 

focus on Alaska, its Web site 

provides numerous tools and

fact sheets that may be useful 

to all tribes. 

www.ccthita-swan.org

Solid Waste Association of 

North America (SWANA)

SWANA is a membership 

organization that encourages 

environmentally and economi-

cally sound solid waste man-

agement practices. This site 

provides information on SWANA 

conferences, publications, and 

local chapters. It also features an 

electronic bulletin board, recent 

solid waste news, and informa-

tion on training and certification.

www.swana.org

Tribal Solid Waste Advisory 

Network (TSWAN)

TSWAN, made up of 14 federally 

recognized tribes throughout 

Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and 

Washington, shares technical 

expertise, information, and 

opportunities regarding solid 

waste management policies and 

principles. 

www.tswan.org

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Outline and estimate major 

program costs. Costs associated 

with managing solid waste 

include:

•	 Program planning

•	 Facility design and construction

•	 Equipment purchases

•	 Cleanup

•	 Operation and maintenance

•	 Personnel training and 

administration

•	 Landfill closure and 

post-closure care

•	 Supplies

Identify sources of funding. 

Tribes may want to apply for both 

internal and external funding. 

•	 Internal funding sources could 

include allocations from the 

tribe’s general fund, user 

fees for solid waste services, 

revenue from the sale of recyclable materials, and tipping 

fees for accepting waste at a 

transfer station or landfill.

•	 External funding sources 

could include state financial 

assistance, federal grants and 

loans, and funds from private 

and nonprofit organizations. 

Remember that most grant 

funds and loans are intended 

as start-up funds for waste 

management programs, not 

to sustain long-term programs 

and facility operation and 

maintenance.

•	 To help identify these opportunities, review announcements 

from federal agencies, conduct 

Internet searches, and talk to 

other tribes and regional representatives from government 

agencies.

Build relationships. Share 

information with neighboring 

governments and tribes through 

informal conversation or networking at conferences and meetings. 

Sharing information as well as 

past experiences can be mutually 

beneficial. In addition, speak with 

regional representatives from 

EPA and other federal agencies. 

Tips for Funding an Integrated Waste 

Management Plan

Long-term funding is vital to the development and implementation of a sustainable Integrated 

Waste Management Plan (IWMP). Detailed planning can assist tribes in determining the amount 

of funds needed to implement a sustainable waste management program. Below are some tips 

on how to fund the development and implementation of an IWMP.
Agency representatives may be able to assist you with the application process and ensure that all paperwork 

is completed properly. They also can provide feedback and other pertinent information on grant applications 

that were not selected for funding. 

Leverage non-monetary assets. In addition to applying for funding, look for opportunities to share 

resources. Sharing resources can help strengthen your solid waste management program. Partner with 

neighboring tribes and villages, local governments, or businesses, and share resources such as information, 

equipment, labor, materials, services, or facilities. 

Break larger projects into smaller phases. Some tribes have found that there is a greater chance of 

receiving grants by breaking big projects into discrete portions and seeking funds for the individual parts. For 

example, obtaining $75,000 for a portion of a project, such as purchasing a collection truck, may be easier to 

access than $600,000 for an entire project.

Be persistent. Attempts to secure funding may not always be successful at first. Follow up on any unsuccessful applications to find out how to improve them for the next time. Make revisions based on the 

feedback and resubmit the applications at the next funding opportunity.

Ask for assistance. Applications for funding are often lengthy and complex. Follow instructions carefully, but 

never hesitate to ask questions about information that is unclear. Agency and regional representatives can 

help make sure applications are properly completed. 

Plan for the future. When requesting financial assistance after an IWMP is in place, it is recommended 

that you state that you have a plan in place. It is important to present descriptions of specific grant and tribal 

funds that will sustain the program and describe how the financial plan will overcome deficiencies. Also, 

include cost estimates and projected revenue based on population and waste generation rate projections. 

Ultimately, the tribe should be able to sustain the operation and maintenance once grant funding is spent.

Securing funding for the initial and long-term success of an IWMP requires planning and persistent efforts. 

By keeping these tips in mind, tribes will be better prepared to find and secure the necessary support.

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U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA)

Indian Environmental General 

Assistance Grant Program

The General Assistance Program 

can fund solid waste implementation projects, including 

projects to characterize and 

close open dumps, purchase 

equipment, and pilot solid waste 

collection programs.

www.epa.gov/indian/gap.htm

Tribal Solid Waste 

Management Assistance 

Project (TSWMAP)

The TSWMAP is an interagency 

program that funds projects that 

support the development and 

strengthening of tribal or cooperative multi-tribal solid waste 

management programs. The 

agencies involved in this effort 

include EPA; the U.S. Department 

of the Interior, Bureau of Indian 

Affairs; the U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services, 

Indian Health Service; the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Rural 

Development; and the U.S. 

Department of Defense. Eligible 

entities may apply for funding 

under one of four categories: 

(1) proposals to characterize/

assess open dumps; (2) proposals 

to develop integrated solid 

waste management plans and 

tribal codes and regulations; 

(3) proposals to develop and 

implement alternative solid waste 

management activities/facilities 

(including equipment acquisition); 

and (4) proposals to develop and 

implement cleanup, closure, and 

post closure programs for open 

dumps in Indian Country.

www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/

tribal/finance.htm

Region 9 Resource 

Conservation Funds Program

Funds through this program are 

available to federally recognized 

tribes in the Region 9 geographic 

area, and 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. 

www.epa.gov/region09/funding/

tribal-solid-waste.html

Funding Opportunities for Integrated 

Waste Management Plans

The following list describes funding opportunities provided by various government agencies and 

other organizations in support of tribal environmental programs.
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Hazardous Waste Grant 

Program for Tribes

The Hazardous Waste Grant 

Program for Tribes provides 

grants for integrated hazardous 

waste management practices 

that are protective of human 

health and the environment. 

Funding supports building tribal 

capacity for developing and 

implementing hazardous waste 

activities; developing tribal 

organizational infrastructure; 

achieving economic sustainability of tribal hazardous waste 

programs; and building partnerships among tribes, federal 

agencies, states, and local communities. 

www.epa.gov/epawaste/wycd/

tribal/finance.htm#hazard

American Indian Tribal 

Portal—Grants and Funding

This EPA Web site provides links 

to tribal grant resources and 

is intended to help tribes and 

individuals to find information on 

all topics in one location. It also 

includes links to EPA and federal 

grant resources, regulations, and 

policies that are helpful for the 

tribal grant program applicant. 

www.epa.gov/tribalportal/

grantsandfunding/index.htm

U.S. Department of Health 

and Human Services, 

Administration for Native 

Americans 

Environmental Regulatory 

Enhancement Grant Program 

This program provides financial 

assistance for tribes in planning, 

developing, and implementing 

projects that are designed 

to improve their capacity 

to regulate environmental 

activities. 

www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/

ana/programs/program_

information.html

U.S. Department of Health 

and Human Services, Indian 

Health Service (IHS)

Tribal Management 

Grant Program

Grants from this program assist 

federally recognized tribes and 

tribally sanctioned organizations. 

www.ihs.gov/nonmedical

programs/tmg/index.asp

U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Rural 

Development

Rural Development, Water 

and Environmental Programs

This program provides loans, 

grants, and loan guarantees for 

drinking water, sanitary sewer, 

solid waste, and storm drainage 

facilities in rural areas and cities 

and towns of 10,000 or fewer 

people. Federally recognized 

tribes may qualify for assistance 

for grants or loans to construct, 

enlarge, extend, or improve rural 

water, sanitary sewage, solid 

waste disposal, and storm water 

disposal facilities. 

www.usda.gov/rus/water/

index.htm

U.S. Department of Housing 

and Urban Development

Community Development 

Block Grants

This flexible program provides 

funding for a variety of 

community development 

projects. Several tribes have 

used these grants to fund solid 

waste management projects or 

programs that improve housing 

developments. Funds are 

specifically set aside for Indian 

Community Development Block 

Grants. 

www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/

communitydevelopment/

programs/index.cfm

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Tips for Getting Kids Involved 

in Reducing, Reusing, and 

Recycling 

Teach by example. 

Kids learn a lot by observing 

their parents. If kids see that 

their parents recycle, they may 

be more inclined to do so themselves. For instance, you can 

set up recycling bins at home 

and explain how to use them. 

Then have all of the adults in 

the household recycle! Kids will 

quickly learn to identify items that 

can be recycled and in which bins 

the recyclable items should go.

Explain why it’s important. 

Make sure kids have an understanding of how their actions 

impact the environment. This 

will help them understand why 

recycling is important.

Be creative.

Develop creative ways to reach 

kids with messages about 

recycling. Create a poem or song 

about recycling, or hang pictures 

of recyclable items by trash cans. 

Use the Internet (and other 

educational resources). 

Many agencies and companies 

have created educational 

resources such as games, videos, 

Web sites, activities, and lesson 

plans to help teach children about 

recycling. These resources are 

geared toward children and most 

are available at no cost. 

Create recycling activities. 

Participate in hands-on activities 

to help teach kids to recycle. For 

example, organize a community 

activity, such as a nature walk, 

and pick up trash along the way. 

Let kids identify which items can 

be recycled and which cannot. 

Today’s Kids, Tomorrow’s Recyclers

The average person in the United States creates approximately 4.6 pounds of waste per day, 

according to estimates from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. One way to reduce the 

amount of trash we produce is to teach the next generation about ways they can produce less 

garbage and reduce, reuse, and recycle (the 3 Rs). 
Educational 

Resources For Kids

U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency

Environmental Kids Club

www.epa.gov/kids

Planet Protectors Club

www.epa.gov/osw/education/

kids/planetprotectors/index.htm

Recycle City

www.epa.gov/recyclecity

Science Fair Fun: Designing 

Environmental Science 

Projects

www.epa.gov/enviroed/pdf/

sciencefair.pdf

Student Center

www.epa.gov/students/

waste.htm

Keep America Beautiful, Inc.

Clean Sweep U.S.A

www.cleansweepusa.org

Wisconsin Department of 

Natural Resources

EEK! Environmental 

Education for Kids

www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/

ce/eek/earth/recycle/index.htm

Waste Reduction: Thinking 

More About Less

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/

wm/publications/recycle

/publce-219-03.pdf

Humboldt State University, 

The Center for Indian 

Community Development

Environmental Protection 

Native American Lands: 

A Cultural Approach to 

Integrated Environmental 

Studies. Grades 1-12, Second 

Edition (Curriculum)

Phone: 707–826–3711 

The Association of 

Postconsumer Plastic 

Recyclers

Kids Recycling Zone

www.kidsrecyclingzone.com

Produce Less Waste: Practice the 3 Rs With Your Kids

Reduce We can throw away less stuff if we purchase long-lasting, durable goods and seek 

products and packaging that are as free of toxins as possible.

Reuse We can use products, such as bottles, bags, and boxes, multiple times. Repair 

items when possible, donate items to charity, or sell them to someone who can 

use them. 

Recycle We can turn items that would be waste into valuable resources by recycling 

materials like glass, metal, plastics, and paper. Recycling facilities can process 

them into new materials and products.

Tribal Waste Journal

28
To be placed on our mailing 

list or to submit future topics, 

please e-mail:

Kim Katonica-Mulé

U.S. EPA Tribal Solid Waste Program

katonica.kim@epamail.epa.gov
Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5306W)

EPA530-N-09-002

www.epa.gov/tribalmsw

September 2009

Printed on 100% recycled/recyclable paper 

with a minimum 50% post-consumer waste 

using vegetable-based inks.