Solid Waste Management Plan (2011 Revision)
The 2011 Solid Waste Management Plan Revision, "Picking Up the Pace Toward Zero Waste" (2011 Revision) received approval from the State of Washington Department of Ecology on June 25, 2013. Hardcopies are available at the Seattle Public Library, Downtown Branch.
The City’s current comprehensive solid waste management plan, Seattle’s 2022 Solid Waste Plan Update: Moving Upstream to Zero Waste, was adopted by City Council on April 11, 2023 and approved by the Washington State Department of Ecology on June 7, 2023.
2011 Revision Contents
All documents are in PDF format.
Chapter 1 - Revising Seattle's Solid Waste Plan
- 1.1 What's Being Revised
- 1.2 Planning History Overview
- 1.3 Planning Process – Continuing the Vision and Goals
Chapter 2 - Seattle Solid Waste Trends
- 2.1 Physical Environment
- 2.2 Human Environment
- 2.3 Waste Definitions
- 2.4 MSW Recycling Measurement
- 2.5 Waste & Recycling Trends
- 3.1 Recommendations from 1998 Plan and 2004 Amendment
- 3.2 Planning Issues for this Update
- 3.3 Current Programs and Practices
- 3.4 Alternatives and Recommendations
- 3.5 Measurement
Chapter 4 - Seattle’s MSW System: Managing Discards
- 4.1 Where MSW Starts and Ends
- 4.2 Collection
- 4.3 Recycling
- 4.4 Transfer Facilities
- 4.5 Processing and Disposal
- 4.6 Surveillance & Control (Enforcement)
- 4.7 Emergency Management
Chapter 5 - Other Seattle Solid Waste Programs
- 5.1 Construction and Demolition Debris
- 5.2 Historic Landfills
- 5.3 Clean City Programs
- 5.4 Moderate Risk Waste
- 5.5 Special Waste
Chapter 6 - Administration and Financing the Plan
- 6.1 Organization and Mission of Seattle Public Utilities
- 6.2 Education
- 6.3 Financing the Plan
Appendices
| Appendix A | Glossary, List of Acronyms |
| Appendix B | Zero Waste Resolution (30990) |
| Appendix C | Public Involvement Plan |
| Appendix D | Recycling Potential Assessment (RPA) Model and Environmental Benefits Analysis |
| Appendix E | Recycling Reporting |
| Appendix F | State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) documents |
| Appendix G | Seattle Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) Participation |
| Appendix H | Resolution of Adoption |
Stakeholder Feedback
Many stakeholders generously provided feedback during the development of the plan revision. These documents contain detailed comments and survey results not included in the approved plan document.
Email SPU_SolidWastePlan@seattle.gov with any questions about the Plan.