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DPW says EPA review of solid-waste master plan will unlock major grants; department details tire, e-waste costs and a pyrolysis MOU
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Summary
DPW told the House committee the solid-waste master plan submitted to U.S. EPA is the key to unlocking federal grants for landfill upgrades, recycling and equipment and described high current costs for shipping tires and e-waste.
Department of Public Works officials described the department's solid-waste operations, recycling efforts and grant prospects during the budget hearing, saying an EPA review of an integrated solid-waste master plan is a gating step for major federal funding.
"We have completed the comprehensive integrated solid waste master plan, which we've submitted formally to US EPA for their review, and they are actively reviewing it. We expect their approval within a matter of months," Secretary Ray Yumo said. He said that once the plan is adopted in the federal register DPW would be able to draw down large federal funds to upgrade landfills on Rota and Tinian and procure equipment for Saipan.
Why it matters: DPW said the master plan and the pending grant approvals would fund landfill upgrades, recycling processing and equipment that DPW lacks; the department told lawmakers that current operating contracts and shipment costs are straining the solid-waste revolving account.
Financial pressures and operations described by DPW: - DPW said a comprehensive plan approval would enable drawdown of a sizeable federal grant allocation for landfill upgrades and equipment; DPW said island allocations for Rota and Tinian are in the multi-million-dollar range. - DPW described the solid-waste account as under pressure from contract obligations. The department described shipping costs for recyclables and e-waste: an e-waste shipment earlier in 2025 cost about $192,000, and DPW cited a recent tires shipment cost of roughly $188,000 for a single consignment to Korea. - DPW reported it had a multi-shredder operating at Marpi to process debris and intended to use the equipment to shred tires to increase shipping density and to explore local reuse options.
On recycling authority: Yumo told the committee Senate Bill 24-8, identified in testimony as the "Cinematic Recycling Act," would transfer recycling authority from DEQ to DPW; DPW said that transfer would enable more aggressive diversion and recycling programs.
MOU for pyrolysis/biofuel processing: DPW said it executed a memorandum of understanding with a company (identified in testimony as OutTech) to test a pyrolysis process to convert usable waste such as tires and plastics into biofuel. "This MOU basically will give, OutTech, the opportunity to take our usable waste and convert it to biofuel," Yumo said.
Committee concerns focused on the tipping-fee account, the negative balance risk from ongoing contract encumbrances, and the logistics and cost of shipping bulky materials such as tires and e-waste off island.
DPW told the committee it is also pursuing performance-based contract language for landfill operations to lower monthly contractor payments and avoid large fixed monthly charges.
