Solid Waste Management Plan
The Solid Waste Management Plan updates the City of Seattle’s programs and services to prevent waste, increase recycling and composting, and improve services. The plan is currently being updated and the draft chapters are listed below.
Draft Solid Waste Management Plan – 2011 Revision
Appendices will be added to the site as they are available. All documents are in PDF format.
- Table of Contents
- Executive Summary
- Matrix of Recommendations
- Chapter 1 – Revising the Plan
- Chapter 2 – Seattle Solid Waste Trends
- Chapter 3 – Waste Prevention
- Chapter 4 – Managing Discards
- Chapter 5 – Other Solid Waste Programs
- Chapter 6 – Administration and Financing
- Appendix A - Appendix A – Glossary
- Appendix B – Zero Waste Resolution 30990
- Appendix C – Public Involvement Report
- Appendix D – Recycling Potential Assessment (RPA) Model
- Appendix E – Environmental Benefits Analysis
- Appendix F – Recycling Businesses
- Appendix G – State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) documents
- Appendix H – Seattle Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) Participation
- Appendix I – Resolution of Adoption
Stakeholder Feedback –
- Thank you for your input about the Solid Waste Management Plan. View these documents to see comments and survey results. Survey results and comments will be used to inform decisions about waste reduction, recycling, and collection services.
Summary of Stakeholder Outreach (pdf)
Construction & Demolition Recommendations (pdf) - Email us
- Construction and demolition professionals – email Gabriella Uhlar-Heffner for a schedule of targeted workshops.
Background
In August 1998, the City Council adopted “On the Path to Sustainability” (pdf) describing how Seattle would manage its solid waste. The 2004 Plan Amendment (pdf) updated the 1998 Plan. In 2007, the Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution 30990, the Zero Waste Resolution, setting goals for recycling and outlining actions and strategies to achieve those goals.
- To increase waste reduction and resource conservation.
- To recycle or divert from disposal 60% of all municipal solid waste generated in Seattle.
- To increase the efficiency, fairness, convenience, and accessibility of services.
- To expand local recycling markets and increase purchases of recycled-content products.
- To increase producer and consumer responsibility for sustainable waste management practices.
- To implement the Seattle Sustainable Building Action Plan.
- To improve sustainable waste management and resource conservation practices in all City operations.
- To keep Seattle’s neighborhoods clean and safe by partnering with communities.
The 2011 Plan Revision describes how Seattle will manage the city’s solid waste over the next 20 years.
Related links
Solid Waste Facilities Plan
Recycling Rate Report
Recycling & Waste Reduction Study