Natural Resources
Solid Waste Pass-Through Grants

The WCTCOG Solid Waste Management program, funded by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), includes the development of a regional solid waste management plan, the provision of technical and financial assistance to regional entities in addressing solid waste problems, and the coordination of efforts to seek regional solutions to those problems.

The TCEQ provides funding for an implementation projects program in the form of pass-through grants. WCTCOG has been given charge by the TCEQ to administer this implementation projects program. WCTCOG distributed, for FY2004/2005, $319,467 in grants to eligible applicants in its nineteen (19) county region. These funds have been used for the following implementation projects:

Local Enforcement – Projects which contribute to the prevention of illegal dumping of MSW, including liquid wastes. Under this category, grant recipients would investigate illegal dumping problems; enforce laws and regulations pertaining to the illegal dumping of MSW, including liquid waste; establish a program to monitor the collection and transportation of municipal liquid wastes, through administration of a manifesting system; and/or educate the public on illegal dumping laws and regulations.

Litter and Illegal Dumping Cleanup and Community Clean-up Events – Projects that may include both ongoing and periodic activities to clean up litter and illegal dumping of MSW, excluding the cleanup of scrap tire dumping sites. Projects under this category may support Lake and River Cleanup events, conducted in conjunction with the TCEQ’s and Keep Texas Beautiful’s Lake and River Cleanup program. Periodic community collection events, to provide for collection of residential waste materials for which there is not a readily-available collection alternative, may also be funded. This type of project may not include regular solid waste collection efforts, such as weekly collection.
Source Reduction and Recycling – Projects which are intended to provide a direct and measurable effect on reducing the amount of MSW going into landfills, by diverting materials from the MSW disposal stream for recycling or reuse, or by reducing waste generation at the source. This category does not include the collection, processing, and/or recycling of scrap tires.

Local Solid Waste Management Plans - Projects which will develop and/or amend local solid waste management plans by local governments, in accordance with Subchapter D, chapter 363, TX Health & Safety Code, as implemented by state rule, Subchapter O, 30 TAC Chapter 330. It is recommended that at least on year be allowed for the completion and adoption of a local plan.

Citizens’ Collection Stations, “Small” Registered Transfer Stations – Project which will construct MSW collection facilities in areas of the state that are underserved by collection services of lack public access to proper disposal facilities. Projects funded under this category include citizens’ collection stations, as these facilities are defined under the TCEQ’s MSW regulations (30 TAC Chapter 330); and construction of small municipal solid waste and liquid waste transfer stations that qualify for registration under §330.4(d) or §330.4(r) of the regulations.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) – Projects which provide a means for the collection, recycling, reuse, or proper disposal of household hazardous waste, including home chemicals and other materials. This category may also include events conducted under the TCEQ’s Texas Country Cleanup program. Projects may include permanent collection facilities, periodic collection events, consolidation and transportation of collected materials, recycling or reuse of materials, proper disposal of materials, and education and public awareness programs.

Technical Studies – Projects for the collection of pertinent data, analysis of issues and needs, evaluation of alternative solutions, and identification of recommended actions to assist in making solid waste management decisions at the local or regional level. Projects under this category may also include research and investigations to determine the location, boundaries, and contents of closed old and abandoned MSW landfills, and to assess the possible risks to human health or the environment associated with those landfills or sites.

Educational and Training Projects – Projects intended for educational or training events dealing with a variety of MSW management topics. This category does not include the educational components of projects funded under the other categories.

Other Types of Projects – Other types of projects, not specifically prohibited from funding under the more detailed funding standards and restrictions, may be considered by TCEQ on a case-by-case basis.

For more information about grants and any other technical assistance regarding solid waste management, please contact Wendy Stovall, Natural Resource Director, Manager of Solid Waste Planning at (325) 672-8544.