Local Solid and Hazardous Waste Planning

Local solid and hazardous waste planning is the cornerstone to reducing and managing wastes in Washington State. The state Legislature gives the Department of Ecology (Ecology) authority to require counties and cities to make sound solid waste handling decisions based on approved and current Local Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plans.

The Local Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan details and inventories all existing solid waste handling facilities within a county and provides an estimate of long-range needs for solid waste facilities projected over a 20-year period. The plan serves as a guiding document for a county to develop its infrastructure and solid waste program. Since 1989, counties and cities have also been required to provide detailed information on waste reduction strategies and recycling programs and schedules for program implementation in the plans.

In 1988, local governments were required to plan for reducing small-volume hazardous materials and wastes, or "moderate risk wastes." These plans are known as Local Hazardous Waste Management Plans and are separate from Local Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plans. As cities and counties work to implement and keep their solid waste plans current, more local governments have chosen to simultaneously revise their Local Hazardous Waste Management Plan as well.

For information on the local planning process and how to get started on the right track, contact your Ecology regional planner. It is the responsibility of the regional planners to provide assistance to jurisdictions throughout the planning process, to review the plans and to recommend Ecology approval when appropriate.

Washington State's overall solid and hazardous waste plan, released in November 2004, known as Beyond Waste lays out a vision in which waste is considered inefficient and most wastes and toxic substances could be eliminated within one generation. Beyond Waste lays out five key initiatives that will help achieve this vision:

Regional planners and other Ecology staff are available to assist jurisdictions with programs that promote the Beyond Waste vision. In addition to these five initiatives, the Beyond Waste Plan also addresses current solid and hazardous waste issues.

Funding:

Coordinated Prevention Grants Program:
The Department of Ecology currently provides financial assistance to local governments through this grant program to help fund the creation and implementation of their solid and hazardous waste plans as well as the incorporation of the Beyond Waste initiatives.

Requirements:

County and City Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plans - Contents:
Requirements for local solid waste planning are found in chapter 70.95.090 RCW.
Local Governments to Prepare Local Hazardous Waste Plans - Elements Required:
Requirements for moderate risk waste planning are found in chapter 70.105 RCW. Also see chapter 70.95I.020 RCW, Used Oil Recycling.

Resources:

Guidelines for the Development of Local Solid Waste Management Plans and Plan Revisions,
February 2010, publication #10-07-005; contains procedures for developing and revising local solid waste plans.
Guidelines for Developing and Updating Local Hazardous Waste Plans,
February 2010, Publication # 10-07-006; contains procedures for developing and updating local hazardous waste plans.
Tools that are helpful for implementing a waste reduction and recycling programs include: education, procurement policies, policy initiatives and actions, financial incentives and disincentives, publicity and public relations, and community and volunteer activities. Two sources for program ideas include:
- Solid Waste Information Clearinghouse contains information about specific city and county programs and projects. The Information Clearinghouse is intended to assist local governments in developing effective programs, building on established successes, while avoiding costly duplicative efforts.
- Waste Reduction Manual - Solid Waste Planning for Local Governments,
  (August 1994, Publication #94-141). While a bit out of date, still provides many ideas for establishing waste reduction programs.

Ecology Contacts:

Central Regional Office: 15 W Yakima Ave, Suite 200 Yakima, WA 98902-3401	Chris Piercy (Regional Planner), chrp461@ecy.wa.gov, 509-454-7863
Eastern Regional Office: 4601 N. Monroe St. Spokane, WA 99205-1295	James Wavada (Regional Planner), jwav461@ecy.wa.gov, 509-329-3545
Southwest Regional Office: PO Box 47775 Olympia, WA 98504-7775	Mike Drumright (Regional Planner), mdru461@ecy.wa.gov, 360-407-6305
Northwest Regional Office: 3190 160th Ave SE Bellevue, WA 98008-5452	Diana Wadley (Regional Planner), dwad461@ecy.wa.gov, 425-649-7056 Taisa Welhasch (Regional Planner), twel461@ecy.wa.gov, 425-649-7266
Headquarters Office: 300 Desmond Dr. SE, Lacey, WA 98503	Ellen Caywood, ecay461@ecy.wa.gov, 360-407-6132