Beyond Waste is the state plan for managing hazardous and solid waste. This 30-year plan has a clear and simple goal: eliminate wastes and toxics whenever we can and use the remaining wastes as resources. This will contribute to economic, social, and environmental vitality.

News

Beyond Waste Plan: Time for an Update

The five year update of the Beyond Waste Plan, as required by state law, is underway. Stakeholders worked together with Ecology to create the 2004 Beyond Waste Plan, and public input on the 2009 plan update has been received.

What’s Being Updated?

The Beyond Waste Plan still provides good direction as written. Therefore, we are not making significant changes. We are making adjustments to Recommended Actions and Milestones where new directions are underway or needed. We are also bringing the plan current with emerging state priorities such as toxic threat reduction, climate change, and Puget Sound health.

Summary of Public Comments:

Public comments were received during March and early April. On the whole, commenters expressed support for the proposed changes. A summary of the main comments and how we responded is available at the link below. The input we received will make for a better document overall.

Next Steps:

Ecology staff will continue to draft the update plan, utilizing public comments. Staff will work with the State Solid Waste Advisory Committee to finalize the document. The plan update is scheduled to be issued in December 2009.

For More Information

• To see a summary of public comments, click here.
• To see a draft document the public commented on, click here.
• Contact Ecology Staff:
  • Hazardous Waste Contact: Chris Chapman, ccha461@ecy.wa.gov, 360-407-7160
  • Solid Waste Contact: Janine Bogar, jabo461@ecy.wa.gov, 360-407-6654
  • Mailing Address: PO Box 47600, Olympia, WA, 98504-7600

Second Beyond Waste Progress Report Issued

Ecology has released the second annual report documenting progress toward the Beyond Waste plan’s five-year goals. The eight performance indicators from last year’s report, as well as eight new indicators, track overall progress on the priority Beyond Waste initiatives.

How are we doing in reaching the Beyond Waste vision? We have many positive trends especially in the following areas: green building, organics (compostables) recycling, electronics recycling and risks from toxic releases. We have not yet achieved consistent positive trends for either hazardous waste or solid waste generation (although solid waste decreased for the first time in many years) or hazardous waste or solid waste recycling. These four indicators combined would be a true picture of whether we are achieving the Beyond Waste vision. A Beyond Waste Progress Report will be issued each year. Read the Progress report.

How to & Examples

Ideas and Resources for Beyond Waste Actions at the Local Level

Composting

Turn your organic wastes into resources. Learn how the beneficial reuse of organics, from soil amendments to bioenergy, provides environmental, economic and human health benefits for your community. more...

Green Building

Learn about green building practices in your area. Green buildings are designed to last longer, use healthier materials, and be less expensive to operate. Green building efforts can help to eliminate waste generated by building construction, and grow markets for healthy, sustainable building materials. more...

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing

Find out how to purchase environmentally preferable products and save money at the same time. more...

Toxics Reduction

Learn more about current mercury reduction efforts. more...

Local Solid Waste & Hazardous Waste Plans

Incorporate Beyond Waste goals, principles and actions into your local solid waste and/or hazardous waste plans. more...