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DAAccent...on Solid Waste Issues Publication of Draper Aden Associates July 2003 An Opportunity for Self Analysis S.W. Management Planning Requirements Solid Waste Man- ~ agement Plans (SWMP) are due to the Virginia Department of Environ- mental Quality (VA- ~, DEQ), by every County, Town and City ~'~ by July 1, 2004. Com- ,.t~'~ prehensive plans were ~ originally developed in the early 1990's, at a time of sweeping regulatory change. The new Subtitle D disposal regulations were being implemente& and recycling goals were first established. Prior to this time, little was known about recycling rates, a large pementage of Vir- ginia's landfills were unlined, and training for waste management operators was yet to be re- quired. Disposal costs were often in the $6 - $12/ ton range. Much has changed over the past decade. Now. all but a small number of facilities are lined, recy- cling rates are tracked annually, and a new breed of trained professional has been employed to success- fully manage these programs. Additionally, dis- posal options have increased through growth of the commercial sector, and the permitting of new dis- posal capacity for both commercial and public fa- cilities. While the environmental performance of waste management has significantly improved over the past decade, the costs have also escalated. Draper Aden Associates' most recent tipping fee survey (to be published Fall 2003) indicates that disposal fees range from $25 to more than $60/ton. Hauling costs to regional disposal facilities often raise the lower end of the range so that many localities are now paying $40/ton and more for MSW waste dis- posal. Disposal of other wastes, such as sludge. CDD, and industrial wastes remain problematic in some areas. New Plan Requirements: Amendment 1 to the Solid Waste Management Planning regulations (9 VAC 20-130-10 et. seq.) became effective on August 1, 2001. These regula- tions made several important changes to the original regulations including: · :.The 5-year updates of the original SWMP was replaced by the new plan that is to be amended whenever a solid waste management program is to change. · :.The new plan, and any subsequent amendments (major amendments require public participation: minor amendments are handled administra- tively), must be approved by the VA-DEQ. · :. Future permits and amendments to existing per- mits for solid waste management facilities can be denied unless a plan has been prepared and approved. Enforcement including fines can be assessed for non-compliance with the plan. · :. The 25% recycling goal is now a mandate. At a minimum, the SWMP must address for a 20-year term the following (abbreviated summary): o:. The integrated waste management hierarchy; in order of decreasing preference: source reduction, reuse, recycling, resource recovery (waste-to- energy), landfitling · :.Program for plan implementation · :.Objectives for solid waste management · :oIncremental stages of progress · :.Program costs & funding strategy · :.Public education & involvement The content of an approvable plan is expected to include existing and projected waste composition; waste generation and flow patterns; collection (residential, business/commercial and industrial); disposal; recycling; public education: and public/ private partnerships. They should be complete with detailed construction and implementation schedules, and a funding plan. 81 plans (regions) were submit- ted in 1991. The regions established at that time can be employed for the new plan, but given the en- forcement provisions of the new regulation, a de- tertnination of accountability for participating lo-