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Solid Waste Services

Solid waste technical assistance is a core area of expertise that RCAC offers in 11 western states. RCAC has a highly skilled team of staff members that provide solid waste management technical assistance and training, including staff members that are certified in landfill management and inspections and composting. Examples of RCAC solid waste services include:

• Assisting the Kuha'o Business Center on the island of Moloka'i to stimulate creation of entrepreneurial businesses using recycled materials as feedstock.
• Assisting the Cocopah Tribe and four rural communities in Arizona to develop a regional green waste/composting solid waste disposal system. This disposal system will significantly lengthen the life of the landfill in the area and create a profitable product for the communities.
• Working with the Blue Mountain Resource and Conservation District to develop a biomass project for the Fuels for Schools program in Dayton, Washington through a USDA Solid Waste Management grant. Research funding sources and permitting requirements for the project and complete a report to allow decision makers to review costs, permitting and capacity issues. Also work with the town of Garfield, Washington to apply for coverage under the State General Permit for Biosolids Management. Research strategies for both the towns of Garfield and Endicott for possible composting of bio-solids and yard waste.
• Publishing four issues of Alaska Anew to increase awareness of solid waste issues and increase focus on finding solutions for Alaska rural communities.
• Convening the Alaska Zero Waste Action Council, a statewide association of Alaskan communities and federally recognized Indian Tribes dedicated to promoting Zero Waste technology in Alaska.

Additionaly, RCAC has an in-house Green Team to guide its efforts in promoting green building and recycling projects. The team brings together staff members from all disciplines in the organization, including environmental and housing divisions. The Team recently provided a green training to RCAC staff members that included tours of affordably built green building projects and a wastewater utility that is generating electricity through recycling waste at the facility.