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About SPU
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Garbage System
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History & Overview
Regulatory Framework
Washington State law assigns primary responsibility for managing solid waste -- from prevention and recycling to collection, transfer, and disposal (RCW 70.95) -- to local governments like Seattle.
The State gives cities like Seattle exclusive authority (RCW 35.21) to provide and set rates for solid waste services by using municipal workers, competitively bidding contracts to private companies, or developing interlocal agreements with a county or city to provide services. When a city doesn’t exercise this authority, and for business recycling, solid waste services may be provided by State-regulated private haulers (RCW 81.77 and 81.80) and private companies. Seattle establishes its own solid waste rules in the City’s Solid Waste Code (SMC 21.36, 21.40, 21.43 and 21.44).
While the City is responsible for managing waste, the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE), State Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC), Seattle-King County Department of Public Health, (SKCDPH), and Seattle Department of Construction and Land Use (DCLU) have a role in waste management. Because Seattle’s waste is exported to Waste Management, Inc.’s landfill in Arlington, Oregon, the Oregon State Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) monitors how Seattle’s waste is disposed of.
Roles in the Regulatory System
- • Washington Department of Ecology: Approves the waste management plan, establishes solid waste rules (Minimum Functional Standards - MFS), provides technical and grant assistance
- • Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission: Regulates rates and services of State-franchised haulers. In 1995, two State regulated haulers in Seattle collected commercial Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and three collected Construction and Demolition (D&D) debris.
- • Seattle & King County Department of Public Health: Enforces solid waste rules, issues operating permits for local solid waste facilities and collection vehicles; monitors historic landfills, screens waste for contamination or special handling needs; and issues clearance forms.
- • Seattle Department of Construction and Land Use: Issues land use and building permits to solid waste facilities consistent with local regulations.
Links to other sites
Washington Department of Ecology
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
Seattle & King County Department of Public Health
Seattle Department of Planning and Development
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