Plan Design—The Regional Plan is designed to coordinate activities between solid waste management programs and other related activities within the region. Furthermore, it establishes goals and objectives within the region for proper collection and disposal of solid waste, reduction of wastes to be landfilled, and establishes an Action Plan for the implementation of these goals and objectives. The plan considers three separate planning periods:
Short Range————————— 2002 – 2007 Intermediate————————— 2007 – 2012 Long Range—————————- 2012 – 2022 |
Goals—Preliminary regional goals, objectives, and priorities were reviewed, discussed and further developed during monthly public participation meetings held around the region during the planning period. The results indicated the preferred waste management hierarchy given consideration by the Solid Waste Advisory Committee for the ATCOG region is as follows:
Source Reduction and Waste Management
Reuse and Recycling (including composting)
Resource Recovery (including burning solid waste to produce energy
Land Disposal
The Solid Waste Advisory Committee at their meeting on September 8, 2006 adopted the Volume I – Regional Solid Waste Management Plan 2002-2022, which outlines Regional Goals and Objectives. Volume I was adopted by the ATCOG Board of Directors on July 25, 2006, and will be reviewed for adoption by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in February, 2007.
Regional Goals and Objectives
The Solid Waste Advisory Committee at their meeting on September 8, 2006 adopted the Volume I – Regional Solid Waste Management Plan 2002-2022, which outlines Regional Goals and Objectives. Volume I was adopted by the ATCOG Board of Directors on July 25, 2006, and will be reviewed for adoption by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in February, 2007. The goals of Volume I are outlined below:
Goal #1: Encourage and promote funding availability for regional, sub-regional, and local implementation of this plan. |
Goal #2: Promote source reduction efforts to decrease the amount of solid waste generated. |
Goal #3: Promote the maximum development of regional as well as local, integrated, convenient, collection systems. |
Goal #4: Promote recycling efforts to decrease the amount of solid waste entering the waste stream. |
Goal #5: Promote public education on integrated solid waste management. |
Goal #6: Promote enforcement efforts to decrease illegal dumping. |
Goal #7: Promote composting of yard waste and sludge within the region. |
Goal #8: Utilize existing facilities to the extent environmentally and economically feasible. |
Goal #9: Promote development of integrated solid waste management systems. |
Goal #10: Encourage sub-regions to allow for more cost effective local plans and regionalization of facilities. |
Goal #11: Use the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) permit application process to ensure conformance with the regional plan and reduce environmental and other constraints that impact the siting of future solid waste facilities. |
Minimize household trash Minimize apartment and commercial trash
Establish recycling markets
Coordinate state, regional, and local solid waste management
Stop illegal dumping
Texas Illegal Dumping Resource Center
Resources and Links
Please click the following links for additional solid waste information:
RG 389: Waste from Grease Traps, Grit Traps and Septic Tanks: Questions and Answers
RG 370: Managing Paint and Paint-Related Waste Under the Universal Waste Rule
RG 455: Illegal Dumping: A Guide for Local Governments
RG 474: Methods for Municipal Solid Waste Diversion: Options for Local Governments
RG 469: Traditional Municipal Solid Waste Disposal: A Guide for Local Governments
Texas Health and Safety Code: Chapter 341, 343, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 368, and 371.
Federal Regulations 40 CFR Parts 240-281
State Regulations Municipal Solid Waste Management Regulations 30 TAC 330
State Regulations General Permitting Rules for Discharge From Any Point Source 30 TAC 305
State Regulations Sludge Rules 30 TAC 312
State Regulations Composting Rules 30 TAC 332
Buy Recycled Program, Texas General Land Office
Texas Recycles TVs (TRTV) program
Texas Recycles Computers (TRC) program