Beyond Waste home > Read Background Paper

Beyond Waste Plan - Background Papers

In writing the 2004 Beyond Waste plan, 12 background papers were drafted. The papers detail the research and reasoning behind the chosen initiative and recommendations. These background papers were not updated but remain as historical documents of the Beyond Waste Plan.

• Background Paper for Final Beyond Waste Summary: Hazardous Waste History (Pub# 04-07-023): This paper discusses why and how management of hazardous wastes has changed over time.



• Background Paper for Final Beyond Waste Summary: Solid Waste History (Pub# 04-07-024): A brief survey of how management of solid waste has changed over the years in Washington State.



• Background Paper for Final Beyond Waste Summary: Moving Toward Beyond Waste with Industries (Pub# 04-07-025): Reducing wastes and hazardous substances from industries is key in strengthening the state's economy. Industry generates most of the toxic wastes in this state. These pose high risks to human and environmental health and are costly to manage. Reducing these wastes will also increase competitiveness with out-of-state businesses.



• Background Paper for Final Beyond Waste Summary: Reducing Small-Volume Hazardous Materials and Wastes (Pub# 04-07-026): This paper discusses the moderate risk waste system in Washington State, and how it can be improved to meet Beyond Waste goals.



• Background Paper for Final Beyond Waste Summary: Increasing Recycling for Organic Materials (Pub# 04-07-027): This paper discusses ways to increase recycling of organic materials, including closed loop reuse.



• Background Paper for Final Beyond Waste Summary: Making Green Building Practices Mainstream (Pub# 04-07-028): This paper discusses sustainable building construction, operation, and deconstruction practices.



• Background Paper for Final Beyond Waste Summary: Measuring Progress Toward Beyond Waste (Pub# 04-07-029): This paper discusses the importance of performance indicators and data tracking in measuring success toward the Beyond Waste vision.



• Background Paper for Final Beyond Waste Summary: Current Hazardous Waste System Issues (Pub# 04-07-030): This paper discusses the issues unique to Pollution Prevention, compliance with regulations, and permitting and corrective action at facilities that manage hazardous wastes.



• Background Paper for Final Beyond Waste Summary: Disposal-Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow (Pub# 04-07-031): This paper discusses how solid waste has been disposed of over the years and suggests how it will be disposed of in the future.



• Background Paper for Final Beyond Waste Summary: Financing Solid Waste for the Future (Pub# 04-07-032): This paper discusses the need to systematically evaluate how solid waste management is financed currently, and the extent to which needs are able to be met.



• Background Paper for Final Beyond Waste Summary: Solid Waste Management in Washington Today (Pub# 04-07-033): This paper provides a descriptive overview of the current status of Washington State's solid waste management system.



• The Future of Wastes and Toxics in Washington, (Pub #04-04-015). This paper discusses the misconceptions of solid and hazardous waste systems as support for the Beyond Waste Plan.