The purpose of this project is to research, develop and prepare a Solid Waste Management Plan to guide solid waste planning, decision making and services in the State of Rhode Island over the next 20 years. The Plan will need to not only build on, but also be an evolution of the State’s existing Solid Waste Management Plan, Solid Waste 2038.
How was the Project Started?
In the Fall of 2022, various state agencies identified the opportunity to organize this effort as part of incoming federal funds from the EPA via the newly established grant program entitled Solid Waste Infrastructure For Recycling (SWIFR).
When was the Project Started?
May 2023
When was the Project Completed, or is it Ongoing?
Ongoing, expected to be completed in Summer 2026.
The project is in the final stages of drafting the detailed strategies and objectives that align with the established goals and vision. We have conducted several public outreach and stakeholder engagement sessions.
What are the Resources Needed, including Time, Cost, Etc.?
The state has a project management team made of five resources and a vendor team of several resources. The total award for the vendor was $494,000 and their work started in September 2024 and should finish in early 2026.
Despite the realities of individual states in terms of politics and finances, solid waste management and planning for the future will greatly benefit from regional approaches in the coming decades, especially for areas in the country such as the northeast that have numerous states within a small geographic region.
