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Where to Find Resources on Managing Municipal Solid Waste

Many local governmental entities have a significant problem with the improper handling and disposal of municipal solid waste. This web page provides local government leaders, nonprofit organizations, and citizens with information that will help in the fight against litter and illegal dumping.

Many of the links on this page are provided in Adobe Acrobat's Portable Document Format (PDF). More information regarding PDF and a link to obtain the free PDF reader may be found here. Several links also take you off of the TCEQ web site (Exit the TCEQ).

Planning and Funding for MSW

Managing municipal solid waste is a cooperative effort involving federal, state, regional, and local entities. Here are some resources to help in planning and funding this effort.

  • Solid Waste Management in Texas, Strategic Plan (SFR-042) - This is a relatively large document (78 pages). Read more information about reviewing this publication.

    This report presents the status of solid waste management in Texas and outlines the agency's policy goals, objectives, and recommendations to consider for future solid waste management in the state.

  • Regional Solid Waste Grants

    The TCEQ provides annual grants to the state's 24 regional councils of governments (COGs). The COGs use this money to fund required solid waste management activities and various local and regional projects that help implement the solid waste management plans they have adopted.

    The COGs have staff and resources available to assist entities with their MSW management concerns and planning. COGs also are available to assist in developing projects that are eligible for grant funding. For more information, contact a local COG. The Texas Association of Regional Councils lists contact information on its web site Exit the TCEQ.

  • Decision Makers' Guide to Solid Waste Management Exit the TCEQ

    This U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide provides technical and economic information for solid waste management practitioners, such as local government officials, facility owners and operators, consultants, and regulatory agency specialists.

  • North American Development Bank Solid Waste Environmental Program Exit the TCEQ

    This program provides support for the financing and construction of sustainable, solid waste infrastructure systems. Funds are available for 50 percent of the total cost of the project. The bank may contribute up to $500,000 per community, or $1,500,000 for regional facilities.

    Projects must receive certification from the Border Environment Cooperation Commission Exit the TCEQ. Funding is limited to communities located in the U.S.-Mexico border region.

  • Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs)

    This TCEQ-sponsored program is designed to prevent or reduce pollution, enhance the quality of the environment, and contribute to public awareness of environmental matters. Funding for the SEP Program comes from respondents in TCEQ enforcement actions, who are allowed to offset a fine, fee, or penalty by contributing to SEPs, but only after getting details of the project approved by the agency.

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Battling Illegal Dumping

To successfully address illegal dumping problems, communities must develop long-term comprehensive solutions. See the following resources for ideas.

  • Prevent Illegal Dumping: A Guide for Local Governments (RG-455)
    This TCEQ guide contains information to help local officials and local governments in Texas address common issues related to waste and illegal dumping.

  • TCEQ Model for Prevention of Illegal Dumping

    The TCEQ has developed a model approach for use in developing solutions for MSW problems. This model approach focuses on developing and maintaining a program that includes the following four components:

    • Garbage collection services. Provide residents with convenient and affordable ways to dispose of their garbage, such as citizen collection stations for rural communities.
    • Public awareness campaigns. Increase public awareness on the health and safety hazards of illegal dumping and available legal options for garbage disposal.
    • Cleanup of existing dumps. Clean up illegal dump sites to discourage other dumpers, who are attracted to these existing sites, and to improve the community's awareness of the problem.
    • Enforcement. Increase the cost of illegal dumping through increased enforcement and more severe punishments for offenders.
  • EPA IDEA Model for Prevention of Illegal Dumping Exit the TCEQ

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the Illegal Dumping Economic Assessment (IDEA) model. It is a simple, useful tool to help organizations understand the costs and economic impacts of illegal dumping in their communities. Local governments, community groups, and civic organizations can use the model to estimate the cost of cleanup activities, to assess indirect costs, and to conduct cost analyses using the IDEA model spreadsheet.

    The following IDEA Model resources are available on the EPA web site:


  • Targeted Illegal Dumper Study Exit the TCEQ

    The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) produced this study to better understand typical illegal dumpers. The publication, which was produced with TCEQ funding, provides profiles and characteristics of violations for seven categories of dumpers.

    While the report was developed for the NCTCOG area, municipal governments and law enforcement officials throughout the state should find valuable strategies for targeting illegal dumpers. Also included are ideas for cooperating with other local and regional governments.

  • Illegal Dumping Prevention Guidebook Exit the TCEQ

  • This EPA publication contains general information about illegal dumping and guidance for developing a prevention program.

Providing Collection Services

Providing collection services is an important component in the effort to prevent illegal dumping. Resources on collection services follow.

  • How to Conduct an MSW Services Survey (GI-248) - Note: Since this is a relatively large document (77pages), it may be ordered as a printed copy from the TCEQ Publications office rather than being downloaded.

  • This TCEQ manual will help any community determine what garbage collection services the residents prefer and how much they would be willing to pay for them.

  • Guide to Developing Community Solid Waste Facilities: Citizens Collection Stations and Small Transfer Stations Exit the TCEQ - Note: Since this is a large document (254 pages), a printed copy may be ordered rather than being downloaded. To order, call HGAC at 713/627-3200.

  • The Houston-Galveston Area Council prepared this detailed manual to help local governments determine needs, plan facilities, evaluate regulatory requirements, and construct and operate new facilities.

  • Managing Municipal Solid Waste Through General and Special Law Districts

  • This TCEQ web page provides general information on options available to certain districts for providing garbage collection services to customers.

  • Contracting for Solid Waste Services

  • The Houston-Galveston Area Council has many publications including guidance for local governments to prepare contracts with private companies for solid waste services. This publication is a large document, but you can order a printed copy by calling the HGAC at 713/627-3200.

  • Pay-As-You-Throw Tool Kit Exit the TCEQ

  • This EPA web resource helps local communities consider, design, and implement pay-as-you-throw programs. Included is information about unit pricing and ideas on reducing waste and recycling MSW.

  • Composting Assistance Program

  • This TCEQ program in the Small Business and Environmental Assistance Division offers technical assistance and information on composting efforts across the state.


Increasing Public Awareness and Education

Public awareness and education are important elements of any effort to prevent illegal dumping and manage MSW. Resources on achieving these goals follow.

  • Composting and Mulching (GI-036)

  • In this easy-to-understand TCEQ flier, beginners will learn the basics of mulching and composting to reduce the amount of yard trimmings disposed of in landfills.

  • Green Guide to Yard Care (GI-028)

  • This informative, illustrated TCEQ booklet provides detailed information on environmental landscape design and yard care.

  • Outdoor Burning Advisory Group

  • Information about the advisory group that addresses rules for outdoor burning of trees, brush, grass, leaves, branch trimmings, and other plant growth from certain properties as a result of Senate Bill 1710 & House Bill 39 passed in the 79th Legislature.

Promoting Cleanup and Proper Disposal of MSW

In addition to providing information on planning and funding for MSW, the TCEQ offers communities technical assistance for household hazardous waste collection and free opportunities to properly dispose of various types of wastes, as follows.

  • Hazardous Household Waste (HHW) Collections

  • Household hazardous waste collections are an important way to promote proper MSW disposal at the local government and industry level. The TCEQ provides technical assistance and educational resources to communities, local governments, and other organizations that sponsor HHW collection events, or that express an interest in disseminating information about environmentally friendly products. HHW may also be collected at agriculture waste pesticide collections.

  • Agricultural Waste Pesticide Collections

  • Agricultural waste pesticide collections offer farmers and ranchers throughout the state the opportunity to dispose of unusable agricultural chemicals in a safe and environmentally sound manner at no cost to them.

  • Texas Waterway Cleanup Program Exit the TCEQ

  • Lake and river cleanups were developed as a way to clean up waste in waterways around the state by encouraging community involvement from citizens who are interested in local water quality issues. Keep Texas Beautiful is currently under contract with the TCEQ to operate this program.

  • Household Hazardous Materials: A Guide for Citizens Exit the TCEQ

  • This course from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is designed for the general public. It is an introduction to household hazardous materials and things that can be done to protect family members from injury or death.

Understanding Environmental Crime

Understanding how to deal with environmental crime through enforcement is another important step in the battle to prevent illegal dumping and manage MSW. Following are some resources.


Getting Assistance from the TCEQ

  • Small Business and Local Government Assistance (SBLGA)

  • Free, confidential help with questions on air, water, waste, and pollution prevention is available from the TCEQ's SBLGA section. Entirely separate from the agency's enforcement program, SBLGA provides local environmental assistance when and where it's needed. SBLGA is committed to communicating technical information in plain language as it works to meet its goal of providing local governments and small businesses with a voice in TCEQ rule and policy making

  • SBLGA Hot Line and web Site.

  • SBLGA offers a toll-free hot line (1-800-447-2827) and web site with answers to technical questions on air, water, waste, and pollution prevention.

  • Compliance Assistance Specialists

  • Each of the 16 TCEQ regional offices has at least one SBLGA specialist, who has been trained in the following areas: water, air, and waste issues; pollution prevention; regulatory compliance; recycling; and environmental outreach. These specialists serve as an immediate point of contact and liaison for governmental entities and regulated communities. To contact a SBLGA specialist, call the nearest regional office.

  • Site Assistance Visits and Compliance Checklists

  • The TCEQ contracts with independent environmental consultants to offer free, confidential site visits. The consultant comes on site to assess environmental compliance. The customer receives an outline of compliance deficiencies, a copy of the compliance checklist, and specific recommendations on how to correct those deficiencies for full compliance. This process can reduce the regulatory burden while preventing pollution and waste. Citizen collection stations and transfer stations are also eligible for site visits. Local governments can contact SBLGA to sign up for a site visit or get a copy of a checklist for doing a self-evaluation. Operators of landfills may also request a checklist to perform a self-evaluation.

  • Air Permits Section

  • For municipal landfills, there may be a need to get TCEQ authorization for air emissions. To get assistance and regulatory information on the kind of permits needed, call 512/239-1250. Also check this link for more information on municipal landfill permitting requirements.

  • TCEQ Publications

  • There may be other TCEQ publications that are not referenced on this web page. Most of them may be viewed online or may be ordered. Go to TCEQ Publications for more information on searching for or ordering TCEQ publications.
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Last Modified 8/19/08
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