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EPA Publication Number EPA530-F-11-002

3 Steps

to Developing a 

Tribal Integrated 

Waste Management 

Plan (IWMP)

United States Environmental 

Protection Agency

Why Develop an IWMP?

An Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP) is the 

blueprint of a comprehensive waste management 

program. A successful IWMP can effectively lower 

total operating costs, increase efficiency, reduce 

the use of open dumps, and improve protection of 

human health and the environment.

An IWMP is a practical document that provides 

the information and guidance needed to make 

critical waste management decisions. The plan 

also identifies alternatives for managing waste 

and the resources needed to implement a waste 

management program.

What Activities Are 

Covered by an IWMP? 

An IWMP addresses a range of solid and hazardous 

waste management activities including: waste 

prevention, waste collection, materials reuse, 

recycling, composting, and household hazardous 

waste disposal. 

The three steps outlined in this brochure provide 

a general overview of the components needed to 

develop an IWMP. 

Visit EPA’s Waste Management in Indian Country 

Web site at www.epa.gov/tribalmsw for more 

information on tribal solid waste management 

including grants/funding, education, and relevant 

publications.
STEP 1. Collect Background Data

Determine the Community Service Area. Collect 

information on population, households, climate, 

geography, economy, and natural resources. 

Determine how and where the tribal population will 

grow in the next 5, 10, 20, and 50 years.

Conduct Waste Characterization and Assessment. 

Evaluate the current waste stream composition 

to assess how much residential, commercial, 

institutional, industrial, and agricultural waste is 

generated. 

Describe Current and Future Waste Management 

Practices. Inventory existing equipment, personnel, 

and facilities. Outline current waste management 

practices (i.e., waste collection, storage and 

disposal), operating procedures, codes, and any type 

of enforcement authorities or actions. Determine 

if the waste management program is sufficient to 

handle the amount of waste generated now and in 

the future.

Identify Waste Management Challenges. 

Challenges may include: insufficient infrastructure, 

transportation costs, illegal open dumps, waste 

generators, transfer station location and operating 

costs. Ask residents what they find to be the most 

significant waste management challenges.

STEP 2. Map Out the 

Tribal IWMP Framework

Investigate Waste Management Alternatives. 

Using the data obtained in Step 1, assess waste 

management policies and develop alternatives 

for collection, storage, transferring, reduction, 

recycling, composting, and disposal. Consider how 

neighboring tribes, counties, or other jurisdictions 

operate and fund their waste management 

programs.

Determine Program Costs & Perform a Cost/

Benefit Analysis. Based on the alternatives being 

considered, conduct a preliminary cost analysis that 

includes capital and operational cost estimates and 

estimate how much time is required to implement 

the different options such as developing, building, 

and designing a new facility or developing a curbside pickup program. Include cost-effectiveness and 

an economic assessment of each system.

Select a Final Alternative Option. Determine what 

option will be the most economically, socially, and 

environmentally feasible for your tribe based on 

Steps 1 and 2.

STEP 3. Write & Implement 

the Tribal IWMP

Develop Goals and Objectives. Based on the option 

selected in Step 2, establish overall goals and objectives 

by analyzing issues and evaluating demographic, 

geographic, and waste data. These will serve as a guide 

for developing the plan and for resolving future/

unforeseen issues. Develop short and long-term goals, 

keeping in mind future demographic changes.

Determine Milestones. Provide the framework for 

implementing the plan. Specify partners, major tasks, 

target dates, anticipated costs, and funding sources. 

Write the Tribal IWMP. Include the information 

obtained in Steps 1 and 2 along with the description 

of the funding, long-term goals, and how the IWMP 

will ensure sustainability.

Plan Adoption. Document the approval of the 

IWMP by the appropriate governing body.

Plan Review, Adaption, Evaluation, & Updates. 

Review and adapt the plan to meet any new waste 

codes, technologies, political environments and 

other changing conditions. Evaluate the success 

of the plan based on the goals, objectives, and 

milestones created. Update or amend your tribal 

IWMP every one to five years, or as needed.

The Role of Public Involvement

The success of a waste management plan largely depends on public involvement and 

support. Involve the community early and often in the planning process. It is important to 

identify a lead agency/person, define roles and responsibilities, and identify partners who can 

provide assistance in developing and implementing the plan at the beginning of the process. 

Throughout the entire process, engage the entire community – schools, businesses, elders, 

and children – through education, soliciting ideas and receiving feedback.