OPD Solid Waste Capacity Building Activities: 2021-2022
One key component of the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act (ASADRA) funding allocated to the CNMI through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the supporting of capacity building for the CNMI's solid waste management personnel.

Here is a recap of ASADRA-supported capacity building activities for OPD and its solid waste partners inside and outside the CNMI, from 2021 to 2022.
September 6-9, 2022 in Oceanside, California— California Resource Recovery Conference and EPA Region IX Zero Waste Islands Summit
The CNMI and its pressing solid waste matters were well-represented during two pivotal solid waste events held in California in September 2022.

For the CNMI, one valuable lesson learned from the trip was the greater impact that enforcement, rules, and regulations have compared to incentives when it comes to implementing recycling policies. Furthermore, through discussions with fellow U.S. Territories, the unique solid waste challenges these island communities face were explored.

From September 6 to 9, 2022, staff from OPD and the Department of Public Works (DPW) were in Oceanside, California to attend the California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) 46th Annual Conference and Trade Show and the Zero Waste Islands Summit, which was hosted by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region IX. 

During the CRRA conference, the CNMI took part in plenary sessions on topics such as how best to address illegal dumping, recycling partnership models with schools, and how California is implementing sustainability-focused initiatives.

“The CRRA conference provided a wealth of best management practices, things we can implement here in the CNMI. From state-wide regulatory requirements banning certain types of single-use plastics, to incentives that help local businesses develop solutions to manage historically difficult waste streams like construction and demolition debris and food wastes.”  

— Matthew Nieswender, OPD Solid Waste Technical Analyst 
The inaugural Islands Zero Waste Summit brought together eight islands Zero Waste leaders from Environmental Protection Agency Region 9, American Samoa- EPA, Guam EPA, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Office of Planning and Development, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources. 

"The biggest thing we learned from the summit was that [the territories'] situations are really unique in the way that we have to approach them. ...Within small communities in the U.S., [you can send] your waste to a bigger landfill instead of opening your own. With the [territories], we have to develop our own mechanisms to handle issues like hazardous waste and junk cars."

— Michael Johnson, OPD Solid Waste Project Coordinator for Saipan


"The all-islands zero waste summit hosted by U.S. EPA gave me an insight to what other island nations are experiencing in achieving their zero waste goals. Collaborating and networking with these small island jurisdictions will better prepare us in our approach, and provide guidance as we move toward a sustainable future."

-— Noreen Sablan, OPD Solid Waste Project Coordinator for Rota

Representing the CNMI in California were OPD Solid Waste Technical Analyst Matthew Nieswender, OPD Planner Manuel Camacho, OPD Solid Waste Project Coordinator for Saipan Michael Johnson, OPD Solid Waste Project Coordinator for Rota Noreen Sablan, and DPW Tinian Branch Manager of the Solid Waste Division Ray Lazaro.

Learn more about the CRRA and its yearly event here.
August 24-25, 2022 in Sydney, Australia— Australasian Waste and Recycling Expo and Resource Recovery Summit
From August 24 to 25, 2022, staff from the Department of Public Works (DPW) and OPD represented the CNMI at the Australasian Waste and Recycling Expo (AWRE) in Sydney, Australia.

The CNMI's attendance was invaluable, as the team built capacity and networked with solid waste vendors and consultants, putting the Commonwealth on the map as an area of interest for future solid waste projects.

During the expo, the team attended training and plenary sessions on resource recovery, waste reduction, and alternative material repurposing. The team also met with vendors and various companies to explore the viability of new technologies and expand horizons for potential consultants and contractors for proposed future solid waste projects.

“The Expo Summit brought me a bigger perspective of the challenges that many island jurisdictions face in terms of landfill capacity and the need to explore alternative resources to divert waste. New and emerging technologies in the market, and infrastructure requirements to address recycling efforts and strategies are necessary components to a full circular economy”.

— Noreen Sablan, OPD Solid Waste Project Coordinator for Rota

According to the AWRE website, the event is a premier business event for the waste, recycling, and resource recovery sector.

During AWRE, eventgoers view showcases of the latest innovations in recycling, machinery, software and services, food and organics, and more. The event is also a valuable opportunity to network with a plethora of waste and recycling professionals, equipment suppliers, service providers, and government departments.

Representing the CNMI were OPD Solid Waste Project Coordinator for Saipan Michael Johnson, OPD Solid Waste Project Coordinator for Rota Noreen Sablan, and Tinian DPW Civil Engineer Timothy Deleon Guerrero.

Learn more about the AWRE here.
July 28, 2022 in Tinian— Operator Training for the Tinian Transfer Station and Green Waste Facility
On July 28, 2022, OPD Solid Waste Technical Analyst Matthew Nieswender led an Operator Training for the staff who will manage the Transfer Station and the Green Waste Facility on Tinian. The training covered the day-to-day operations of these solid waste facilities, and included topics such as reviewing acceptable and unacceptable materials for both facilities, odor control, composting basics, and on-site safety protocols.

Furthermore, the Operator Training was a required component within the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality (BECQ) permits that were issued to these two Tinian facilities in early June this year.

“The training went pretty well. Attendees were attentive and engaged, and are using the knowledge gained such as safety during operation, load inspection, load screening, load estimation and record keeping as required by BECQ under their permit [and] collection efforts by the DPW Solid Waste Division”

— William Cing, OPD Solid Waste Project Coordinator for Tinian

Attending the training were DPW Operators Anthony Cruz, Blane Martinez, Edwin Hofschneider, Milton Cruz, Ronnie Quitano, and OPD Solid Waste Project Coordinator for Tinian William Cing.
June 16, 2022 on Tinian and July 26, 2022 on Rota— Volume Estimation Training
On June 16 and July 26, 2022 respectively, OPD Solid Waste Project Coordinator Michael Johnson conducted a Volume Estimation Training on Tinian and Rota. Implementing standardized estimation methods is crucial, as these estimations will support data needs as part of the development of the CNMI Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan.

“This training helped us take proper measurements of vehicles coming in to the landfill for the purpose of estimating load volumes. The data collected will be very useful for planning purposes. Applying what we learned will assist us in taking good data. This will help improve our overall operation in terms of planning and improving our landfill.”

— Jimmy Manalang, DPW Rota Equipment Operator Supervisor

Attending the training on Tinian were DPW Operators Blane Martinez, Edwin Hofschneider, Milton Cruz, Ronnie Quitano, Ton Cruz, and OPD Solid Waste Project Coordinator for Tinian William Cing.

Attending the training on Rota were DPW staff Bradley Pinaula, Jack Igisaiar, Jimmy Manalang, and Royce Hocog.
May 2-5, 2022 in San Francisco, California—
EPA-hosted CNMI Zero Waste Training
From May 2 to 5, 2022, a CNMI delegation comprising several government agency heads, their teams, and elected officials were in San Francisco, California, to attend a Zero Waste training facilitated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 (EPA Region 9).

As part of this training, the delegation was given first-hand examples of the Bay Area’s efforts towards achieving Zero Waste through presentations by local organizations and EPA Region 9; a walking tour in downtown San Francisco to learn more about the city’s sustainable built infrastructure; and touring various recycling, composting, and repurposing facilities in the Bay Area.

For the CNMI delegation, the Zero Waste training in San Francisco was invaluable as a means of giving first-hand experience to what is possible after several decades of work towards achieving Zero Waste in California.

“Throughout the week, it was fascinating to see how concepts such as ‘Zero Waste’ and ‘sustainability' were much more than buzzwords— they were every-day parts of life in San Francisco. I look forward to seeing how we can adapt some practices and tailor them to best serve the CNMI’s unique size and needs.”

— Joshua Santos, OPD Communications Specialist

Representing the CNMI at the training were leadership and staff from the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality (BECQ), Department of Public Works (DPW), CNMI Legislature, Office of the Mayor of Tinian and Aguiguan, the Northern Islands Mayor's Office, Office of Planning and Development, Tinian Municipal Council, and the Universal Garbage Collection Task Force.

Read more here.
April 3-10, 2022 in Guam— Connecting with Guam EPA and attending UOG Conference on Island Sustainability
From April 3 to 10, 2022, representatives of the CNMI Inter-Island Solid Waste Management Task Force were in Guam to share information with the Guam Environmental Protection Agency (Guam EPA) and to learn more about Guam’s sustainability efforts. 

For the first part of the week, Team OPD alongside staff from the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality (BECQ) and the Department of Public Works (DPW) learned more about Guam EPA’s rules and regulations and toured various solid waste sites in Guam to support Zero Waste planning initiatives and projects underway in the CNMI. 

“In Guam I really learned about hardfills and how to operate Transfer Stations. We recently got permitted for our Green Waste Site and Transfer Station, and learned a lot [about] the permitting process in Guam."

— Joal Untalan, Resident Director of DPW on Tinian

Later in the week, Team OPD attended the 2022 University of Guam Conference on Island Sustainability, which featured many guest panels and sessions focused on sustainability, the environment, and more.

Representing the CNMI in Guam were staff from the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality (BECQ), the Department of Public Works (DPW), and the Office of Planning and Development (OPD).

Read more here. 
March 28-31, 2022 in Madison, Wisconsin— UW-Madison InterPro Solid Waste Landfill Design
In March 2022, Department of Public Works (DPW) Chief Highway Engineer Henry Bautista and OPD Senior Solid Waste Engineer Ricardo Miranda traveled to the University of Wisconsin- Madison to attend the Interdisciplinary Profressional Programs (InterPro) Solid Waste Landfill Design course conducted over three days. 

This course is offered annually to solid waste designers, managers, and operators, and goes over new developments in solid waste technologies for designing and operating sanitary landfills.

Having completed the course and returning back to the CNMI, Bautista and Miranda have shared the knowledge they gained through the course, and continue to apply what they learned to the operation, maintenance, design, and expansion of the Marpi Landfill on Saipan and the planning for the proposed landfill projects on Tinian and Rota.


Learn more about InterPro here.
September 2021 in Tinian and Rota—
DPW Load Checking and Waste Screening Training
In September 2021, OPD Solid Waste Technical Analyst Matthew Nieswender traveled to Tinian and Rota to provide DPW Solid Waste staff with basic training on the importance of, and procedures for, standard load checking and waste screening for vehicles tipping municipal solid waste at the landfills.

The training provided local solid waste staff with the tools and knowledge to ensure that all loads received at the landfill sites did not include hazardous materials, recyclables, or any other excluded materials. This training is essential in order to preserve the safety of the staff and compliance with governing regulations.

“We learned so much about Load Inspection Forms and the importance of keeping data and records. We are also now able to understand why we check the load so that recyclables are separated to go to the proper area and are not contaminated. [Overall, the] training is important for us to do our job correctly”

— Milton Cruz, DPW Operator on Tinian

“This training helped me better understand how to manage waste coming into our landfill by checking customer loads and screening for hazardous materials and unacceptable waste. Segregating wastes into categories also helps us manage our landfill better.

“Applying what I learned on the job is very important as I will be making sure that no hazardous material or unacceptable waste enters the facility. Screening waste before reaching the drop-off point helps protect ourselves and the environment from harmful chemicals”

— Jack Igisaiar, DPW Rota Equipment Operator IV


Attending the training on Tinian were DPW Operators Anthony Cruz, Blane Martinez, Juaquin Adriano, Milton Cruz, and Ronnie Quitano.

Attending the training on Rota were DPW staff Bradley Pinaula, Jack Igisaiar, Ray Anthony Cabrera, and Royce Hocog.
CNMI Office of Planning and Development

CNMI Office of the Governor

(670) 488-1221