Publication Summary

This paper discusses the need to invest in infrastructure, new programs, redesign of processes, and new equipment to meet Beyond Waste goals.

This background information paper for the Beyond Waste Summary Document discusses the financial issues for solid waste that affect our ability to achieve the Beyond Waste goals. The paper includes background on the current funding system, predominantly funded through user fees, and discusses how this current funding structure will not adequately carry us into the future. The paper calls for a systematic look at the solid waste financing system and the factors that affect it (including product life cycle costs), identifies some future needs, factors to consider in constructing a new funding structure, and criteria and objectives that should be met to help provide the infrastructure on which to lay the foundation for Beyond Waste initiatives.