AN ACT Relating to solid waste management; amending section 15, chapter 528, Laws of 1987 (uncodified); and adding new sections to chapter 70.95 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The department of ecology shall determine the best management practices for categories of solid waste in accordance with the priority solid waste management methods established in RCW 70.95.010. In order to make this determination, the department shall conduct a comprehensive solid waste stream analysis and evaluation.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The comprehensive, state-wide solid waste stream analysis under section 1 of this act shall be based on representative solid waste generation areas and solid waste generation sources within the state. The following information and evaluations shall be included:

(1) Solid waste generation rates for each category;

(2) The rate of recycling being achieved within the state for each category of solid waste;

(3) The current and potential rates of solid waste reduction within the state;

(4) A technological assessment of current solid waste reduction and recycling methods and systems, including cost/benefit analyses;

(5) An assessment of the feasibility of segregating solid waste at: (a) The original source, (b) transfer stations, and (c) the point of final disposal;

(6) A review of methods that will increase the rate of solid waste reduction; and

(7) An assessment of new and existing technologies that are available for solid waste management including an analysis of the associated environmental risks and costs.

The data required by the analysis under this section shall be kept current and shall be available to local governments and the waste management industry.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The evaluation of the solid waste stream required in section 1 of this act shall include the following elements:

(a) As the first priority, the department shall determine which management method for each category of solid waste will have the least environmental impact;

(b) After the determination under (a) of this subsection is complete, the department shall evaluate the costs of various management options for each category of solid waste, including a review of market availability;

(c) Based on the results of (a) and (b) of this subsection, the department shall determine the best management for each category of solid waste. Different management methods for the same categories of waste may be developed for different parts of the state.

(2) The department shall give priority to evaluating categories of solid waste that, in relation to other categories of solid waste, comprise a large volume of the solid waste stream or present a high potential of harm to human health. At a minimum the following categories of waste shall be evaluated:

(a) By January 1, 1989, yard waste and other biodegradable materials, paper products, disposable diapers, and batteries; and

(b) By January 1, 1990, metals, glass, plastics, styrofoam or rigid lightweight cellular polystyrene, and tires.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The department shall incorporate the information from the analysis and evaluation conducted under sections 1 through 3 of this act to the state solid waste management plan under RCW 70.95.260. The plan shall be revised periodically as the evaluation and analysis is updated.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. (1) By July 1, 1988, the department shall provide the joint select committee on preferred solid waste management with a proposed work plan and a statement of funding sources.

(2) The department shall report its findings and recommendations to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature by January 1, 1989. The report shall identify which categories of solid waste have not been evaluated and the expected date of completion.

Sec. 6. Section 15, chapter 528, Laws of 1987 (uncodified) is amended to read as follows:

(1) The Washington state legislature finds that the state faces a solid waste disposal crisis. The siting of new landfills, the location and design of new solid waste incinerators, the disposal of ash residue, and compliance with the priorities of the solid waste management act and the hazardous waste management act require that an effort be made by the state to ensure that local governments and private industry have adequate technical information, and that programs are developed to accomplish the statutory waste management priorities.

(2) A comprehensive evaluation of preferred solid waste management programs shall be undertaken by the joint select committee for preferred solid waste management. The committee shall consist of four members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house and four members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate. The committee shall involve representatives of organizations representing cities, counties, the public, the waste management industry, waste haulers, and the private recycling industry. The committee shall report its findings and recommendations to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature by January 1, ((~~1988~~)) 1989.

(3) The department of ecology may provide the committee with specific recommendations on waste management programs from studies the department has undertaken as required by RCW 70.95.263.

(4) The committee shall attempt to determine the reasons why higher rates of waste reduction and recycling have not been achieved in the state and develop recommendations on how to achieve higher rates.

(5) The committee's recommendations shall include (a) specific programs for waste reduction, recycling, incineration, and landfills, (b) specific goals for solid waste management, and (c) specific responsibilities for state government, local government, and the private sectors to accomplish the committee's recommendations. The committee shall also recommend specific legislation and rule-making requirements to accomplish the committee's findings.

(6) The joint select committee for preferred solid waste management shall cease to exist on July 1, ((~~1988~~)) 1989.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Sections 1 through 5 of this act are each added to chapter 70.95 RCW.