HomeMy WebLinkAboutRCW 70A.205.040RCW 70A.205.040 County comprehensive solid waste management plan
—Joint plans—Requirements when updating—Duties of cities. (1) Each
county within the state, in cooperation with the various cities
located within such county, shall prepare a coordinated, comprehensive
solid waste management plan. Such plan may cover two or more counties.
The purpose is to plan for solid waste and materials reduction,
collection, and handling and management services and programs
throughout the state, as designed to meet the unique needs of each
county and city in the state. When updating a solid waste management
plan developed under this chapter, after June 10, 2010, local
comprehensive plans must consider and plan for the following handling
methods or services:
(a) Source separation of recyclable materials and products,
organic materials, and wastes by generators;
(b) Collection of source separated materials;
(c) Handling and proper preparation of materials for reuse or
recycling;
(d) Handling and proper preparation of organic materials for
organic materials management; and
(e) Handling and proper disposal of nonrecyclable wastes.
(2) When updating a solid waste management plan developed under
this chapter, after June 10, 2010, each local comprehensive plan must,
at a minimum, consider methods that will be used to address the
following:
(a) Construction and demolition waste for recycling or reuse;
(b) Organic material including yard debris, food waste, and food
contaminated paper products for organic materials management;
(c) Recoverable paper products for recycling;
(d) Metals, glass, and plastics for recycling; and
(e) Waste reduction strategies.
(3)(a) When newly developing, updating, or amending a
comprehensive solid waste management plan developed under this
chapter, after July 1, 2024, each local comprehensive solid waste
management plan must consider the transition to the requirements of
RCW 70A.205.540, and each comprehensive solid waste management plan
implemented by a county must identify:
(i) The priority areas within the county for the establishment of
organic materials management facilities. Priority areas must be in
industrial zones, agricultural zones, or rural zones, and may not be
located in overburdened communities identified by the department of
ecology under chapter 70A.02 RCW. Priority areas should be designated
with an attempt to minimize incompatible uses and potential impacts on
residential areas; and
(ii) Organic materials management facility volumetric capacity
required to manage the county's organic materials in a manner
consistent with the goals of RCW 70A.205.007.
(b) When newly developing, updating, or amending a comprehensive
solid waste management plan developed under this chapter, after
January 1, 2027, each local comprehensive solid waste management plan
must be consistent with the requirements of RCW 70A.205.540.
(c)(i) Notwithstanding (a) and (b) of this subsection, and except
as provided in (c)(ii) of this subsection, a jurisdiction implementing
a local comprehensive solid waste management plan under this chapter
may not site the increase or expansion of any existing organic
materials management facility that processed more than 200,000 tons of
material, relative to 2019 levels.
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(ii) The limitation in (c)(i) of this subsection does not apply
to the siting of any anaerobic digester or anaerobic digestion
facility.
(4) Each city shall:
(a) Prepare and deliver to the county auditor of the county in
which it is located its plan for its own solid waste management for
integration into the comprehensive county plan;
(b) Enter into an agreement with the county pursuant to which the
city shall participate in preparing a joint city-county plan for solid
waste management; or
(c) Authorize the county to prepare a plan for the city's solid
waste management for inclusion in the comprehensive county plan.
(5) Two or more cities may prepare a plan for inclusion in the
county plan. With prior notification of its home county of its intent,
a city in one county may enter into an agreement with a city in an
adjoining county, or with an adjoining county, or both, to prepare a
joint plan for solid waste management to become part of the
comprehensive plan of both counties.
(6) After consultation with representatives of the cities and
counties, the department shall establish a schedule for the
development of the comprehensive plans for solid waste management. In
preparing such a schedule, the department shall take into account the
probable cost of such plans to the cities and counties.
(7) Local governments shall not be required to include a
hazardous waste element in their solid waste management plans. [2022
c 180 s 103; 2010 c 154 s 2; 1985 c 448 s 17; 1969 ex.s. c 134 s 8.
Formerly RCW 70.95.080.]
Findings—Intent—Scope of authority of chapter 180, Laws of 2022
—2022 c 180: See notes following RCW 70A.205.007.
Intent—2010 c 154: "Increasing available residential curbside
service for solid waste, recyclable, and compostable materials
provides enumerable public benefits for all of Washington. Not only
will increased service provide better systemwide efficiency, but it
will also result in job creation, pollution reduction, and energy
conservation, all of which serve to improve the quality of life in
Washington communities.
It is therefore the intent of the legislature that Washington
strive[s] to significantly increase current residential recycling
rates by 2020." [2010 c 154 s 1.]
Scope of authority—2010 c 154: "Nothing in this act changes or
limits the authority of the Washington utilities and transportation
commission to regulate collection of solid waste, including curbside
collection of residential recyclable materials, nor does this act
change or limit the authority of a city or town to provide such
service itself or by contract under RCW 81.77.020." [2010 c 154 s 5.]
Severability—1985 c 448: See note following RCW 70A.300.005.
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