Publication Summary

This document is a draft Summary of the State Hazardous Waste Management Plan and the State Solid Waste Management Plan. It has been prepared for the purpose of soliciting public review and comment. The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) seeks your comment on the initiatives and recommendations in these draft plans that will direct activities related to generating and managing hazardous waste and solid waste in Washington State in the years ahead.

This document is a summary of the work Ecology has conducted in the Beyond Waste Project. The project includes long-range strategic plans for decreasing solid and hazardous wastes, properly managing wastes that remain, and reducing the use of toxic substances.

Ecology has identified five initiatives, or areas of focus, to work on first in pursuing the Beyond Waste vision. That vision is, "We can transition to a society where waste is viewed as inefficient, and where most wastes and toxic substances have been eliminated. This will contribute to economic, social and environmental vitality."

The updated State Hazardous Waste Plan and State Solid Waste Plan are the mechanisms for implementing these initiatives in collaboration with local governments, the private and non-profit sectors, academia, communities and citizens. The state plans will guide decision-making that will have major effects on waste management and waste generation for many years to come.

This document provides summaries of the five key initiatives. These initiatives and the specific program issues focus on reducing hazardous and solid wastes and substances in Washington. In short, successful implementation of these five initiatives will:

1. Significantly reduce most wastes and the use of toxic substances in Washington′s industries. 2. Reduce and, where possible, eliminate small-volume hazardous wastes from businesses and households. 3. Expand the recycling system in Washington for organic wastes such as food wastes, yard waste, and crop residues. 4. Reduce the negative impacts from the design, construction, and operation of buildings. 5. Develop a system to measure our progress in achieving our goals.