Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District

The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District (ORSWMD) is a solid waste management resource that serves the south-central region of Missouri, including Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski, and Washington counties. Established in 1993, the district was created to ensure compliance with Missouri's solid waste minimization law of 1990 and to provide a solid waste management strategy for the seven-county district. Our mission is to assist communities in achieving a waste reduction of 40% through community grants, reuse and recycling programs, and educational programs for district schools and media awareness.

Programs & Services

ORSWMD offers a variety of programs and services to support solid waste management in the district. Our community grant program supports special collections for electronic waste, tires, and appliances, household hazardous waste (HHW) collection centers, educational opportunities for school-aged youth, community recycling centers, school-based recycling programs, school-based food composting programs, and illegal dump clean-up programs.

Special Collections: ORSWMD offers special collections for electronic waste, tires, and appliances, giving residents an opportunity to dispose of these items properly and efficiently.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Centers: HHW collection centers provide a safe and convenient way to dispose of household hazardous waste, including cleaning products, automotive fluids, and other harmful materials.

Educational Opportunities: ORSWMD offers educational opportunities for school-aged youth, including school assemblies, Earth Day poster and trash art contests, and solid waste facility tours.

Community Recycling Centers: Community recycling centers provide a convenient location for residents to recycle materials, including paper, plastic, glass, and metal.

School-Based Recycling Programs: ORSWMD partners with schools to implement recycling programs, teaching students the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling.

School-Based Food Composting Programs: ORSWMD supports school-based food composting programs, teaching students the importance of reducing food waste and creating nutrient-rich soil.

Illegal Dump Clean-Up Programs: ORSWMD works with communities to clean up illegal dump sites, promoting a clean and healthy environment.

History

The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District was established in 1993, with the purpose of providing a solid waste management plan to ensure compliance with Senate Bill 530, Missouri's solid waste minimization law of 1990. The district includes Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski, and Washington counties, and the cities of Bourbon, Cuba, Steelville, Sullivan, Salem, Bland, Hermann, Owensville, Belle, Vienna, Doolittle, Newburg, Rolla, St. James, Crocker, Dixon, Fort Leonard Wood, Richland, St. Robert, Waynesville, and Potosi.

The original comprehensive solid waste management plan consisted of a strategy to implement and integrate solid waste management programs throughout the district, with the goal of reducing the amount of solid waste generated for disposal in the seven-county district by 40%.

Funding

This web site is funded by grants awarded to ORSWMD by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.