Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District

Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District Serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski & Washington with information on recycling, composting, waste reduction & enviro education.

The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District (ORSWMD) provides assistance to communities to achieve a waste reduction of 40%. This is accomplished through community grants, reuse and recycling programs and educational programs for district schools and media awareness. The district covers a seven-county region that includes Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington count

ies. ORSWMD is governed by a full council and executive board made up of local elected officials and their appointees, and receives input from an advisory committee of local citizens and industry representatives. Programs supported by the district's community grant program funded by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources include:
- Special Collections for items like electronic waste, tires and
appliances
- Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection centers for cleaning
products, automotive fluids, etc.
- Educational opportunities for school-aged youth through school
assemblies, Earth Day poster and trash art contests and solid waste
facility tours
- Community Recycling Centers
- School based recycling programs
- School based food composting programs
- Illegal Dump Clean Up programs

Reuse!
05/31/2026

Reuse!

If your garage is getting cluttered with stray shovels and hand tools, an old wooden pallet might be the easiest way to organize them.

This is such a smart way to reuse something that usually just gets thrown away. You start with a basic pallet like the one leaning against the tree, and turn it into a complete station for your everyday garden gear.

Here is how to set up something similar based on this photo:

Find a standard, sturdy wooden pallet that is in good structural shape.

Give it a coat of exterior paint. The white paint here makes it look clean and protects the wood from the weather.

Mount it securely to your shed or siding. Make sure it is anchored into the wall studs so it can handle the weight of the tools.

Attach your hardware. You can add utility hooks for the heavy shovels, smaller hooks along the middle slat for hand tools, and a sturdy bracket on the bottom for your hose.

Use the open space at the top to hang a few small potted flowers.

It keeps your shovels off the ground, prevents the hose from tangling, and makes sure your hand trowels are right there when you need them. Plus, it keeps everything looking tidy without taking up floor space. 🛠️

What is your favorite way to keep your garden tools organized? 🌱

Contest submissions are due June 30.
05/30/2026

Contest submissions are due June 30.

Highly recommended (through one of our subgrantees).
05/30/2026

Highly recommended (through one of our subgrantees).

BECAUSE OF OUR BIG WAIT LIST, Earth's Classroom is adding a second 9th-12th grade Ecology Canoe Trip on the Eleven Point River for the dates of July 27th-29th!! They could go fast! REGISTER HERE https://www.earthsclassroom.org/event-details/9th-12th-graders-3-day-2-night-ecology-canoe-trip-2026-2

In addition, participants could acquire an ACA (American Canoe Association) Level 2 Canoe Skills Card (thanks to the Mike & Marge Cline Memorial Grant from ACA) that is fabulous for your resume! Get ready for an adventure filled with learning! Get ready for the freedom that Ozark flowing waters can bring! No watches, no phones, just an escapade of education.

Another community happening!
05/30/2026

Another community happening!

A need from one of our subgrantees located in downtown Rolla across from the Public House. City of Rolla, Environmental ...
05/30/2026

A need from one of our subgrantees located in downtown Rolla across from the Public House. City of Rolla, Environmental Services

Community Request... we have a project going... anyone have these? We'll take empty or with paint leftovers... We need about 15 more. Just drop them off at the Kaleidoscope!

Excellent tips!
05/29/2026

Excellent tips!

Finding a better way through science! “MicroHues,” a company developing eco-friendly paints made from microalgae and cya...
05/28/2026

Finding a better way through science! “MicroHues,” a company developing eco-friendly paints made from microalgae and cyanobacteria. Their mission is to reduce pollution and microplastics while creating safer, more sustainable art materials"

Adrianna Sasser and Karly Butts didn’t expect a class project at Missouri S&T to turn into a business. Now, the two are developing sustainable paints through their startup, MicroHues.

Planning a public event? Here is a   guide to help you with "Greening" your event.  It takes advance planning and engagi...
05/27/2026

Planning a public event? Here is a guide to help you with "Greening" your event. It takes advance planning and engaging your vendors/food trucks. Each action helps reduce waste and incorporates opportunities for reuse. Try adopting a few steps and then continue building with each event. Baby steps!
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/portals/0/sustainability/green%20event%20guide/Green.Greener.Greenest.EventPlanningGuide.pdf

05/27/2026

Address

4 Industrial Drive
Saint James, MO
65559

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

573-265-2993

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