Funding an HHW Event / Permanent Site
One of the first concerns when planning an HHW event or opening a
facility is how to pay for the program. Whether it's a one-day event
or a permanent site, there can be a significant cost. Many funding
sources are available that specifically and generally target Household
Hazardous Waste management. Grants are available and tipping fees
can be effective. This section should give you some ideas of where
to start looking for the funding for your program. There may be
other avenues in addition to the ones listed available in your
community. So, please do not limit yourself to what is on this
list. In addition to finding sources, we have included tips for
minimizing costs in your program. Again, there may be other means
for minimizing costs specific to your community, but these suggestions
should give you a good start.
Grant Money:
Many grants are available through state and
federal agencies to set up HHW collection. If you organization is
classified as non-profit, 501(c)(3), there are national companies that
offer grants as well. The Internet is a great source for locating
grants as well as the Foundation Directory (Foundation Center in
NY). Some starting places are:
- ND Department of Agriculture
- ND Department of Forestry
- EPA Region VIII
- NAPCOR
- Bremer Foundation
- Cargill Foundation
Add onto water / sewer bill:
Many governments have
implemented additional charges on water and sewer bills for HHW
collection. The HHW facility helps to divert hazardous materials
from entering our water and sewer systems.
Tipping Fees:
Tipping fees from the landfill are a good
source of funding for a program; an increase in tipping fees may be
necessary. It may also be possible to establish a tipping fee at the
HHW facility.
Tax pesticides and probable pollutants:
Impose a tax on these
items as a means of regulating and ensuring proper disposal.
Impose Advanced Disposal Fees (ADF) on electronics and use toward
HHW collection:
Televisions and electronics are becoming more and
more prominent in the waste stream and are a potential hazard to soil and
water systems. Currently, they are not listed as HHW, but it is
known that TVs and monitors could fail a Toxicity Characteristic Leaching
Procedure (TCLP). Imposing an ADF on such goods, then incorporating
their collection into your program could be a significant funding
source.
Request funds in annual budget:
Present your idea for an HHW
facility to your board of commissioners and explain why it is so important
to provide this collection service to your residents, and then request the
funds when you submit your annual budget.
EPA's Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP):
Companies
found polluting have the option of writing off 50% of the fine by donating
that 50% to local governments for environmental projects like an HHW
facility.
Private Ownership:
Find an individual or group interested in
being the permanent contractor and fully responsible for the facility.
Cost Saving Options
Swap Shop:
A swap shop is a great way to minimize
the amount of material a contractor needs to haul away. Materials in
their original well-labeled container and still in useable condition can
be placed in a swap shop for the public. Make sure the resident
signs a release of liability for the product. Items found in swap
shops can be: paint, stain, thinner, lamp oil, motor fluid, charcoal,
lighter fluid, car polishes and waxes, household cleaners, grease,
pesticides, and other lawn and garden chemicals.
Donated space from military or county
fairgrounds:
Use public land or donated land for the collection
site. This is true for both permanent and one-day collections.
Use salvaged material to supply facility:
Items
found in a swap shop are also suitable for the facility or other
departments within the organization. Usable items such as paint can
be blended and colored and then used again (sometimes sold to the
re-user). Using these materials within the organization can save on
purchasing costs as well as disposal costs.
Regional Program:
A regional event or permanent
facility can be one location or multiple locations within a region.
For one-day collections or permanent facilities can save on advertising,
collection, and personal costs.
Multiple Contractors:
Multiple contractors can
help keep the cost down. A local recycler may take the materials for
less money or for free because they have minimal transportation
costs. Whatever cannot be managed locally can then go to the
contractor.
Limited acceptance of materials:
It may be more
cost effective to limit the materials accepted at the facility or
collection event. For instance, collecting only paints, pesticides,
and used oil can considerably decrease disposal costs as well as liability
insurance.
Review insurance policy:
There could be provisions
in your policy to accommodate additional buildings designed to increase
safety. A facility at a landfill may lower liability costs based on
the decreased risk of employees unknowingly handling HHW in the regular
waste stream.
ND Department of Agriculture for Pesticides:
The
ND Department of Agriculture will collect pesticides from collection
facilities free of charge. As they must do this in person and have
several counties to cover, they will not be able to collect on a frequent
basis. In this instance, long-term storage would need to be
available for a permanent program.
Contractor negotiations:
Depending on the market
and competition in your area, a contractor may be willing to provide
equipment, structures, discounts, or monetary support in exchange for a
term contract.
Volunteer labor:
There are a number of areas to
pull from to find competent volunteers. Local businesses that are
ISO 14001 certified may be willing to offer work credit to employees
willing to participate in collection events. University chemistry
departments or teachers may be willing to offer class credit for
volunteering. Your local Fire Department of Local Emergency Planning
Committee (LEPC) may have members interested in working at the
facility. Members of the community may want to offer their time to
help. Make sure the volunteers sign a release of liability. |
