Beyond Waste home > Navigate to a plan section > Solid Waste Authorities and Local Planning Issues-Introduction

Introduction

Solid waste handling includes management, storage, collection, diversion, transportation, treatment, use, processing and final disposal. It is governed by the laws and regulations of federal, state and local governments. The U.S. Congress has typically left issues relating to managing solid waste to state and local governments. In Washington State, primary authority is given to local government by statute.

County governments develop policies and procedures to manage the municipal solid waste stream primarily through their local, comprehensive, solid waste management plans (CSWMP), as required by Chapter 70.95 RCW. Cities can choose to sign onto the county CSWMP, or they can create their own plans. Local planning jurisdictions are also required to develop local hazardous waste management plans by RCW 70.105.220.

The local plans represent a cornerstone for reaching many of the Beyond Waste goals, as major investments, decisions, infrastructure and programs must be consistent with them. Additionally, local plans must be complete and in good standing to receive grant monies from the Coordinated Prevention Grant program, an important source of local funding for non-disposal-related programs and activities. Similar to the Key Principles and Strategies guiding the recommendations contained in the five key initiatives (see page 8), solid waste and hazardous waste planning at the local community level can be used to identify and plan for important investment and decision-making opportunities, such as for needed facilities and establishing service levels and programs that will be offered to households and businesses. Ecology and others will encourage and assist local jurisdictions to embrace and implement the Beyond Waste recommendations. This will involve seeking opportunities to incorporate the Beyond Waste vision, goals, and recommendations into local solid waste and hazardous waste management plans.

It is neither feasible nor expected that the exact same steps will be taken in each jurisdiction. Progress in each jurisdiction may be different based on the unique characteristics and needs of each area such as distance to recycling markets, existing infrastructure, economy, and many other factors. What is important, however, is a committed effort across the state to implement the recommendations contained in this plan.

The Beyond Waste Plan is not mandated by law nor is it a regulation requiring specific actions. Instead the Beyond Waste Plan is a combination of the state Solid Waste Plan and Hazardous Waste Plan updates which are required by state law and serve as the guide for the future management of solid and hazardous waste in Washington State. Its success will rely on creating opportunities to advance its goals through coordinated actions across the state. An important role for local and state government will be to bring partners with mutual interests together to collaborate on implementation of the recommendations. Relying on leadership and action from the private, non-profit and educational sectors, as well as from all levels of government, is essential to meaningful progress toward the Beyond Waste vision. It will be important to review the guidelines for local solid waste and hazardous waste planning, to ensure that they reflect the Beyond Waste vision and goals.

<-- Back              Next -->