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

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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.

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                                                                                             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

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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.

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                                                                                             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

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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.

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                                                                                         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

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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.

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