Missouri Senate Bill 1586 proposes:
• Expanded state authority to address abandoned landfill sites.
• Dissolution of Missouri’s regional solid waste management districts.
• Centralization of grant funding and oversight under the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Why This Matters
• Districts fund and coordinate local recycling programs.
• Loss of local governance may disrupt services.
• Grant delays or restructuring could stall existing projects.
• Rural communities may face reduced access.
• Potential workforce and administrative impacts.
MORA’s (Missouri Recycling Association) Position
MORA supports responsible landfill cleanup. However, we oppose eliminating solid waste districts without clear transition plans, funding guarantees, and protections for existing recycling programs.
Missouri Senate Bill 1586 would significantly restructure Missouri’s solid waste and recycling system. Introduced as legislation to strengthen the state’s authority to address abandoned and legacy landfill sites, the bill expands powers for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to assess and remediate certain disposal areas. While MORA supports responsible cleanup of environmental hazards, SB 1586 goes much further.
As currently written, the bill would dissolve Missouri’s 20 regional solid waste management districts and centralize program oversight and grant administration at the state level. These districts have long served as the backbone of local recycling infrastructure — coordinating education, market development, and grant funding tailored to regional needs.
Eliminating district governance risks disrupting existing recycling programs, delaying grants, and reducing local input in funding decisions. Rural and small communities could be disproportionately affected if transition safeguards and dedicated funding are not clearly defined. Job losses and administrative bottlenecks are also potential unintended consequences.
MORA is actively engaging lawmakers to protect Missouri’s recycling progress while supporting responsible environmental remediation. We urge national partners to monitor this legislation and stand with Missouri recyclers in advocating for policies that preserve local capacity, stable funding, and access to recycling services statewide.
