The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District (ORSWMD) is accepting grant applications for the 2024 grant round. Grant applications are due by noon on Aug. 18.
A grant application workshop is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon on July 26 at the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) office, 4 Industrial Drive, St. James. This workshop will also be offered in-person and via Zoom, and those interested in participating must register with Jill Hollowell, MRPC environmental specialist by calling 573-265-2993 or by emailing jhollowell@meramecregion.org. For those unable to attend the workshop, zoom consultations will be offered July 18 and July 27 from 4 to 4:30 p.m.
This workshop ensures that potential grantees know application requirements and understand the benefits and obligations, should they receive reimbursement funding for their projects. Projects must be located in or benefit the Ozark Rivers district, which includes Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties.
Grants are available to city and county governments, businesses, schools, nonprofit organizations, citizens and other interested parties to reduce the amount of waste being landfilled through waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting. The district’s list of targeted materials is based on the state targeted materials list. In addition, the Ozark Rivers SWMD has identified multiple priority project areas to address specific needs in the district — however all projects will be considered. Potential projects can focus on district priorities for education, end-market development for recycled materials, waste reduction and reuse, hard to recycle items such as carpet and mattresses, food waste reduction or composting, construction and demolition waste, and special events/business/multi-family dwelling recycling.
In its 2023 grant round, Ozark Rivers awarded $223,388 to fund or partially fund 10 projects throughout the seven-county district. These projects included food waste reduction education, bio-digestion of slaughterhouse waste, assistance to local recycling programs and collection centers along with district-wide programs for outreach and education, illegal dump cleanups, continued support of the household hazardous waste collection sites in Rolla and St. Robert and special collections for electronics, appliances, and tires.
The grant dollars awarded by Ozark Rivers comes through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and represents a portion of the landfill tipping fees collected state-wide.
The Ozark Rivers District includes Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities with populations of 500 or more. The district’s strategy for solid waste reduction, which has been individually adopted by all member governments and approved by Missouri Department of Natural Resources, involves education and public awareness to encourage improved waste management in member counties and cities. MRPC provides administration of the district and assists with a variety of implementation projects.
For more information about Ozark Rivers SWMD or waste reduction and recycling opportunities in the Ozark Rivers district, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ORSWMD or visit our website at www.ozarkrivers.org. Additional questions can be answered by contacting Tammy Snodgrass, MRPC environmental programs manager, at 573-265-2993 or by email at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org.
Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Mary Heywood, representing the unemployed, serves as chairman of the board. A professional staff of 33 offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.
