Series: 1 of 4
Developing a Tribal Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP)
SERIES AT A GLANCE
Overview- Developing a Tribal IWMP
•
Step 1- Collect Background Data
•
Step 2-Map Out the Tribal IWMP
Framework
•
Step 3-Write and Implement
the Tribal IWMP
DEVELOPING AN IWMP MAY
LOWER TOTAL OPERATING
COSTS, INCREASE
EFFICIENCY, REDUCE THE
USE OF OPEN DUMPS, AND
INCREASE ENVIRONMENTAL
AWARENESS AMONG
COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
Purpose
This Overview Fact Sheet is the first in a series of four that will provide the basic
framework for a tribal solid waste and environmental manager to develop a success-
ful integrated waste management plan. The purpose of developing a tribal Integrated
Waste Management Plan (IWMP) is to identify existing solid waste systems, assess
needs, and set forth ways to design, implement, and monitor a more effective and
sustainable solid waste management program. The final IWMP put forth to your
governing body for approval will outline various aspects of waste management such
as the collection, storage, and disposal of waste; source reduction; recycling; compost-
ing; facility management; and budgeting and financing. Developing a useful IWMP
may lower total operating costs, increase efficiency, reduce the use of open dumps, and
increase environmental awareness among tribal community members and leaders.
Framework
The framework for developing an IWMP is broken down into the following
three steps:
• Step 1 - Collect Background Data
• Step 2 - Map Out the Tribal IWMP Framework
• Step 3 - Write & Implement the Tribal IWMP
These three steps will include the following actions:
• Determining the community service area
• Conducting waste characterization and assessment
• Describing current and future waste management practices
• Identifying waste management challenges
• Investigating waste management options
• Determining program costs and performing a cost/benefit analysis
• Selecting a final option
• Developing goals and objectives
• Determining milestones
• Writing the IWMP
• Adopting the plan
• Reviewing, adapting, evaluating and updating the plan
an Agency
Office of Resource
MC 5303P
arvation and Recovery
March 2013
EPA-530-F-001(a)
www.epa.gov/tribalms
-------
The Importance of Public Involvement
Public involvement is essential throughout the development
of an IWMP. Public involvement should start with outreach
to the surrounding community to gain interest, cultivate
awareness, and garner support. The next step is information
exchange, which progresses to providing recommendations
and agreements. Throughout the public involvement process,
stakeholders can become empowered to take action, partici-
pate in, and/or help support the decision making process.
Each aspect of public involvement is pertinent to developing
and implementing a successful IWMP. Tribal community
members are more likely to support and participate in new
waste management programs when they are involved in
the planning process from the very beginning. EPA's Public
Involvement Web site, www.epa.gov/publicinvolvement/
intro.htm, provides an overview on how EPA conducts public
involvement activities that may be beneficial to your tribe.
Suggested On-line Resources for Developing a Tribal IWMP
EPA Waste Website
www.epa.gov/waste
General information on a variety of topics concerning the types and amounts of waste generated in the U.S.; fundamentals of
reduce, reuse, and recycling concepts; tips on handling hazardous waste; and how to reduce, manage, and dispose of municipal
solid waste or non-hazardous waste.
Publications by Topic -
Municipal Solid Waste Website
www.epa.gov/waste/inforesources/pubs/municipal_sw.htm
This EPA Website provides a directory of EPA publications that
focus on solid waste.
Respect Our Resources:
Prevent Illegal Dumping
www.epa.gov/waste/wyl/tribal/pdftxt/twj-l.pdf
Published in May 2002, this edition of the
Tribal Waste Journal provides information on
community support and outreach activities.
Solid Waste Management:
A Local Challenge with Global Impacts
www.epa.gov/waste/nonhaz/municipal/pubs/
ghg/f02026.pdf
This 2002 fact sheet discusses how to estab-
lish recycling and composting programs;
components of waste collection, transport, and
various options for waste disposal.
Tribal Decision-Maker's Guide to
Solid Waste Management
www.epa.gov/waste/wyl/tribal/tribalguide.htm
This comprehensive document provides
resources, tips, tools, and examples on how
tribal waste managers can reduce waste;
collect fees; and fund, develop, implement,
and enforce waste management in their community. Also,
included in the document is a section on how to develop an
effective outreach and education plan.
What is an Integrated
Waste Management Plan (IWMP)?
www.epa.gov/wastes/wyl/tribal/pdftxt/twj-7.pdf
Published in September 2009, this edition
of the Tribal Waste Journal provides several
articles that range from a general overview on
why you should develop an IWMP to specific
tribal case studies and examples. Nine types
of funding opportunities are profiled in the issue along with
tips on how to fund your IWMP. Also included is additional
information about tools and programs available to help reduce
waste and develop an IWMP.
-------
Series: 2 of 4
Developing a Tribal Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP)
J
ayjj J
OVERVIEW OF STEP 1
Determine the
Community Service Area
•
Conduct Waste Characterization
and Assessment
•
Describe Current and Future Waste
Management Practices
•
Identify Waste Management
Challenges
AS EVERY TRIBE IS UNIQUE,
GATHERING BACKGROUND
INFORMATION SPECIFIC
TO YOUR COMMUNITY IS
ESSENTIAL IN DEVELOPING
AN IWMP THAT IS GEARED
TOWARDS THE NEEDS OF
YOUR TRIBE.
Determine the Community Service Area
Prior to developing an IWMP, you must first determine the area that will be
serviced by the plan - that is, the area that the plan will be focused on. To gain
a broad overview of your community service area (CSA) and to determine what
waste collection, storage, transfer, and disposal options are best, collect the
following pieces of information:
• Jurisdictional Boundaries. Clearly define the reservation boundaries and
identify the tribes that live within and just outside the Jurisdictional boundaries.
• Population and Demographic Data. Collect past and present population and
household information. Consider the age of the population throughout the
entire community. Project where and how the population may grow or change
over the next 5, 10, 20, and 50 years.
• Climate. Report on the average amount of rainfall, average high and low tem-
peratures, and other climatic features.
• Natural Resources, Geological and Geographical Features. Include the soil
type and drainage properties, distance to ground water, and drinking water
access.
• Economic Data. Report on the current and potential revenue sources for the
tribe; types of commercial, industrial, and other types of employers existing
within the reservation; and the community's assets and resources.
To get started, visit the U.S. Census Bureau's website, www.census.gov, for statis-
tical information on populations and households for communities throughout
the U.S. More detailed information is provided on 539 tribes based on 2000 data
located in the American Indian and Alaska Native Summary File (AIANSF).
Also, your tribal housing office or local Housing and Urban Development office
may have specific information on your CSA.
an Agency
Office of Resource
MC 5303P
arvation and Rec
March 2013
EPA-530-F-001(b)
www.epa.gov/tribalms
-------
Conduct Waste Characterization
and Assessment
Collecting information on your CSA's waste streams will help
you determine the current waste composition and provide
a baseline for further analysis. First, examine existing solid
waste records, perform a walk-through of current waste
management operations, and/or sort through the current
waste stream to determine the composition of waste gener-
ated. Keep in mind the following:
• What is the current amount of waste generated from all of
the different sectors within your CSA? The different sectors
may include tribal government operations, commercial
businesses, household waste, waste generated from schools
on the reservation, etc.
• What types of waste streams does each of these sectors
produce? For example, recyclable materials (e.g., paper,
glass, plastic); compostable materials (e.g., food scraps,
organic debris); household hazardous waste (e.g., paint,
batteries); construction and demolition debris; abandoned
vehicles; used tires; white goods (e.g., refrigerators); and
electronic waste (e.g., computers).
For more information on conducting waste assessments, visit
EPA's Waste Assessment Approaches website, www.epa.gov/
smm/wastewise/approach.htm. This website provides infor-
mation on how to conduct a waste assessment including
records examinations, facility walk-throughs, and waste sorts.
Describe Current and Future
Waste Management Practices
Consider how each waste stream is managed based on the
waste characterization and assessment of your CSA. Collect
the following information on current waste management
practices:
• Waste collection, transfer, and disposal
• Waste reduction practices
• Waste disposal facility description
• Regional waste infrastructure
• Current partnerships
• Compliance and enforcement issues
Consider the strengths and weaknesses of your existing waste
management program and collect the following informa-
tion needed to develop a comprehensive, forward-thinking,
IWMP:
• Equipment and facility needs
• Funding limitations
• Projected population changes and changes in waste char-
acterization
• Proposed partnerships
• Research on alternative waste management options
The second chapter of the Tribal Decision-Maker's Guide
provides an example of how to estimate future waste
generation based on population growth and current waste
generation rate. Issue 7 of the Tribal Waste Journal provides
information on how to handle household and commercial
waste, as well as special waste streams such as batteries and
medical waste. To obtain these resources and others, go to
the Publications link on EPA's Waste Management in Indian
Country website at www.epa.gov/waste/wyl/tribal/index.htm.
Identify Waste Management Challenges
After addressing current and future waste management
practices, determine what challenges exist (e.g., missing
infrastructure, location, cost, etc.). Once you understand the
existing waste management challenges for your CSA, you will
be able to address these issues as you move forward with the
development of the IWMP in Step 2.
-------
Series: 3 of 4
Developing a Tribal Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP)
OVERVIEW OF STEP 2
Investigate Alternative
Waste Management Options
•
Determine Program Costs &
Perform a Cost Analysis
•
Select a Final Option
IN STEP 2 OF DEVELOPING AN
IWMP, YOU CAN BEGIN TO MAP
OUT THE FRAMEWORK, WHILE
KEEPING IN MIND THE BACK-
GROUND DATA IDENTIFIED IN
STEP 1.
Investigate Waste Management Options
Using the data obtained in Step 1, investigate which waste management options
would work best for your tribe. In considering waste management options, also
consider long-term goals for your tribe, such as encouraging reuse and recycling.
These are different from the goals of a specific waste management option as will
be discussed in Step 3 of this IWMP. Long-term goals also provide the priori-
ties for your tribe and the criteria to compare waste management options. They
include:
• Environmental impacts
• Relative cost
• Potential to create jobs in the
tribe
• Operation and maintenance
challenges
• Regulatory requirements
• Degree of tribal control
• Cost of closure, post-closure
care, and financial assurance
for municipal landfills
In light of your tribe's goals
and priorities, start develop-
ing relevant waste management
options. However, it is important
not to exclude options too quickly.
Consider creating partnerships
with states, surrounding local
an Agency
Office of Resource
MC 5303P
arvation and Recovery
March 2013
EPA-530-F-001(c)
www.epa.gov/tribalms
-------
governments, and/or other tribes, to increase waste manage-
ment options. Some common waste management options
include:
• Source reduction, such as the Pay-As-You-Throw Program,
encourages participants to generate less trash through a
monetary incentive program. For more information on
Pay-As-You-Throw, visit www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/
tools/payt
• Reusing goods or donating goods such as lightly used
clothing and furniture to a community organization for
reuse
• Recycling products such as aluminum, paper, and plastic
• Composting organic material, including yard debris and
food scraps. The compost that is produced can be used as
a soil amendment
For more information on developing partnerships, check out
EPA's Partnerships in Solid Waste Management document
at: www.epa.gov/waste/wyl/tribal/pdftxt/partner.pdf. This
document provides information on the benefits, potential
obstacles, and an overview on how to develop a partner-
ship agreement. Consider partnering with other inter-tribal
departments, neighboring tribes and local communities,
the county and state governments, businesses, non-profit
organizations, and/or educational centers in and around your
community.
Determine Program Costs &
Perform a Cost Analysis
Conduct a preliminary cost analysis of waste management,
including the capital and operational cost estimates. Estimate
how much time is required to implement the different
options such as developing, building, and designing a new
facility or developing a curb-side pickup program. Determine
the potential costs of the new waste management program.
Examples of waste management costs include:
• Facility design and construction
• Equipment purchases
• Cleanup
• Operation and maintenance
• Personnel training and administration
• Landfill closure and post-closure care
• Supplies
For more information on developing a cost estimate, review
Chapter 2 of the Tribal Decision-Maker's Guide, available by
going to the Publications link on EPAs Waste Management
in Indian Country Web site at www.epa.gov/tribalmsw. The
Tribal Solid Waste Program Costing Tool, available from EPA
Region 9 at www.epa.gov/region9/waste/tribal/pdf/Tribal-
Solid-Waste-Program-Costing-Tool.pdf provides an easy-
to-use work book for determining the feasibility of tribally-
operated collection services, transfer stations, and landfills.
Select a Final Option
Once you have gathered and assessed your waste manage-
ment alternatives, select a final option to be put forth in the
final IWMP, created in Step 3.
-------
Series: 4 of 4
Developing a Tribal Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP)
OVERVIEW OF STEP 3
Develop Goals and Objectives
•
Determine Milestones
•
Write the Tribal IWMP
•
Adopt the IWMP
•
Plan Review, Adaption,
Evaluation, & Updates
STEP 3 INCORPORATES THE
INFORMATION OBTAINED IN
STEPS 1 AND 2, AND PULLS
EVERYTHING TOGETHER
INTO ONE COMPREHENSIVE
DOCUMENT. THIS IWMP
DOCUMENT IS NOW READY
TO BE PUT FORTH TO THE
APPROPRIATE GOVERNING
BODY FOR APPROVAL AND
IMPLEMENTATION.
Develop Goals and Objectives
Based on the final option selected in Step 2, develop a goal statement for each
issue and/or proposed improvement. A goal statement is a specific description of
what needs to be done. Develop actions to accomplish this goal. Actions may be
over a pre-determined time frame (i.e., 5, 10, 15 years, etc.).
To find out more information on developing goals and objectives, look at Issue 7
of the Tribal Waste Journal. This issue provides information on how to develop
goals for your IWMP, funding opportunities, an IWMP template, examples, and
various other educational tools. Issues of the Tribal Waste Journal maybe found
by going to the Publications link on EPA's Waste Management in Indian Country
website at www.epa.gov/tribalmsw.
Determine Milestones
Milestones enable you to assess your
accomplishments and to focus on what you
consider a priority in dealing with waste
management challenges. Determining
milestones will provide the framework
essential in implementing the plan once it
has been approved. Identify the following:
• Major tasks and sub-tasks
• Target dates for completion of
specific tasks
• Anticipated costs and potential
funding sources
• Potential partners for implementing
the plan
an Agency
Office of Resource
MC 5303P
arvation and Recovery
March 2013
EPA-530-F-001(d)
www.epa.gov/tribalms
-------
Write the Tribal IWMP
Take the information collected in Steps 1, 2, and 3 and
incorporate it within a single document. Your IWMP should
include the following key elements:
• Description of the community service area
• Description of the tribes waste management program
structure and administration
• Description of the tribes current and proposed waste
management practices
• Description of the funding, sustainability, milestones and
long-term goals of the tribe's waste management program
• Documentation of the IWMP being approved by the
appropriate governing body
Issue 7 of the Tribal Waste Journal provides examples of
templates used when writing an IWMP. Past issues of the
Tribal Waste Journal may be found under the Publications
link on EPA's Waste Management in Indian Country website
at www.epa.gov/tribalmsw. Case studies on successful solid
waste management programs may be found under the Case
Studies link under the same website.
Adopt the IWMP
The plan should be put forth to the appropriate governing
body once it has been drafted, edited, and fully reviewed by
all appropriate parties. Once the IWMP has been adopted,
begin to implement the plan by aiming to reach the goals and
milestones laid out at the beginning of Step 3.
Plan Review, Adaption,
Evaluation, & Updates
As you begin to implement your new IWMP, assess the goals,
objectives, and milestones over time to ensure that they are
feasible. Solicit feedback from residents and other stakehold-
ers to determine if the new IWMP and waste management
alternatives adopted are the best fit for your tribe. Evaluate
the IWMP as needed, at a minimum of every 5 years, or as
population shifts or different waste streams are generated.
------- |