Solid Waste Technical Assistance

RCAC’s programs and services deliver solutions to complex community needs. Our local presence allows us to develop partnerships with communities to identify needs, set goals, and select the best options to meet those goals. RCAC and our partners provide the tools to create change and growth, but the communities chart their own course. Collaboration, plus community effort will equal community change. How can we help you?

RCAC’s Loan Fund is a financial resource for rural communities. The Loan Fund fills financing gaps and serves in unconventional markets. We offer loans for affordable housing development, environmental infrastructure, community facilities and small businesses in rural locations.

Decent housing, safe drinking water, education, financing, jobs, community facilities, leadership, families are the many facets to RCAC's work.

RCAC expands the knowledge base of the rural public through education and training. Our training expertise is in technical, financial, and administrative issues that affect rural communities. We take great pride in our professional trainer team's capacity and effectiveness. Our trainers maximize audience participation to keep trainings relevant and memorable.

RCAC's news and publications are a compilation of timely news, announcements and accomplishments produced for the rural development world.

Sub-standard housing and poverty are commonplace in low-income rural communities. Many of these communities also face daunting challenges to access safe, clean drinking water and to develop other vital infrastructure. These issues are often overlooked in policy because rural communities lack the resources, training or social networks that are found in urban areas. Learn how you can advocate for the under-served population in the West.

Founded in 1978, RCAC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that partners with rural and Indigenous communities to achieve their vision and well being through technical assistance, training, financial resources and advocacy. For more than 45 years, our dedicated staff and active board, coupled with our key values: leadership, collaboration, commitment, quality and integrity, have helped effect positive change in rural communities across the West. Learn more about who we are and how we operate.

Solid Waste Technical Assistance

RCAC provides solid waste technical assistance and training to rural and Indigenous communities across the western United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. Currently, we provide assistance and training in the following areas:

Biomass Business Development
Community outreach and education strategies
Community townhall meetings
Developing composting programs
Developing household hazardous waste programs
Developing recycling programs
Financial analysis for waste management utilities
Health and safety training

Illegal dumping elimination strategies
Integrated Solid Waste Management Plans (ISWMP)
Landfill Operator training
Proper Disposal of Prescription drugs
Source Water Protection
Transfer station Operation training
Waste Audits (Characterization)
“Zero-waste” strategies

FH Training

SWM Crew for ShoBan

Transfer Station After Photo

Conversational Mapping Exercise

Salt Lake City Field Trip

Salt Lake City Field Trip

Marjle and Matt

Transfer Station

Community Examples

Below is a list of communities RCAC has partnered with to improve solid waste management:

Cold Springs Rancheria, CA
Confederated Tribes of the Colville, WA
Confederated Tribes of Goshute, UT
Eight NorthernIndian Pueblo Council, NM
KotlikEnvironmental Program, AK
Mora County, NM
Native Village of Hooper Bay, AK
Zia Pueblo, NM

NulatoIGAP Program, AK
San Carlos ApacheTribe, AZ
Scammon BayTribal Council, AK
Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, ID
Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, CO
Warm Springs Tribe, OR
Duck Water Shoshone, NV

Solid Waste Resources

The resources and templates below are available free of charge for any small solid waste utility/program, including transfer stations, and recycling centers.

Contact Information

If you would like to talk to an RCAC environmental rural development specialist about these or other services, contact RCAC’s main office at (916) 447-2854 and request Jacqueline Shirley or complete our Request for Assistance.