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Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan

Learn more about our Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan, which sets strategies for managing solid waste over the next 6 to 20 years in King County. It guides the many public and private elements that make up the regional solid waste system.

Updating the Comp Plan

Washington State law (RCW 70.95.080) requires each county to prepare a coordinated plan for handling regional waste.

Development schedule

Updated May 2024 (subject to change)

Date Actions/Events/Public meetings
April 24, 2024 City Subgroup Meeting
May 20, 2024 City Subgroup Meeting
June 17, 2024 City Subgroup Meeting
August 2024 City Subgroup Meeting
August 2024 Advisory Committee Workshop Meeting
September 2024 Advisory Committee Workshop Meeting
October 2024 Long Term Disposal Study Complete
Q1 2026 60 Day Public Review Begins
Q1 2026 120 Day Department of Ecology Review Begins
Q3-Q4 2026 Executive Office Approval, Transmit to Council for Review
Q1 2027 Council Approval
Q2 2027 120 Day City Approval Begins

Q3 2027

120 Day Ecology Appproval Begins

Q4 2027/Q1 2028 Comp Plan Adopted

Adopted Comprehensive Plan (2019) 

Washington State law (RCW 70.95.080) requires each county to prepare a coordinated plan for handling regional waste. King County’s current Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan was adopted in November 2019. It outlines goals and strategies for the next 6 years, with consideration for the next 20 years. We also review the plan every 3 to 5 years for necessary updates.  

2019 Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan

As part of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), we prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with the 2019 Comprehensive Plan. The EIS looked at potential environmental impacts of the facilities, programs, and services outlined in the plan. It also includes measures to avoid or reduce adverse impacts.

Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
Notice of Issuance and Availability

Long-Term Disposal Subgroup

Members of the Metropolitan Solid Waste Advisory Committee (MSWAC) formed a Long-Term Disposal Subgroup to fully explore long-term disposal options and provide insights. The Subgroup’s recommendations are shared with both Solid Waste advisory committees to help inform decision-making around Long-Term Disposal, Comp Plan updates, and ILA extensions.

Meeting 1
An overview of past studies on long-term disposal and a review of how the 2019 Comp Plan laid out this work to move forward.

Meeting 2
A deep dive with our consultants into 3 options: Gasification, Pyrolysis, and Refuse-derived Fuel.

Meeting 3
A deep dive with our consultants into 2 options: Waste Export by Rail and Mass Burn.

Feasibility studies

Municipal Solid Waste-To-Fuels Study

2023 study exploring the feasibility of producing sustainable aviation fuel from municipal solid waste.

Study summary

Full report – Municipal Solid Waste To Liquid Fuels Study

Rate restructure study

2021 report evaluating alternative revenue options to reduce reliance on garbage fees.

Solid Waste Cost of Service and Rate Restructure Study

Waste-to-Energy and Waste Export  

2019 study evaluating the feasibility of using either Waste-to-Energy or Waste Export by Rail as the County’s next disposal method. 

Waste-to-Energy & Waste Export by Rail Transportation Study

Task 2 Waste-to-Energy Existing Conditions Memorandum

Appendix A - Waste-to-Energy Existing Conditions Memorandum

Task 3 Waste-to-Energy Options and Solid Waste Export Considerations

Nov. 6, 2017, PowerPoint presentation: Waste-to-Energy Options and Solid Waste Export Considerations - Normandeau Associates 

"Waste to Energy" and "Solid Waste Export Considerations" presentations

2007 comparison of waste export with other emerging technologies as alternative options to landfilling

Disposal Options Comparative Evaluation

Anaerobic Digestion

2017 study exploring the feasibility of an anaerobic digestion program to support resource recovery and climate action goals. 

Anaerobic Digestion Feasibility Study

Sustainable Solid Waste Management  

2014 study looking at approaches for creating a more sustainable regional system. 

Sustainable Solid Waste Management Study

Optimized Transfer Station Recycling

2013 study to identify the best national options for recycling and waste diversion. 

Optimized Transfer Station Recycling Feasibility Study

Previous plans

2007 Transfer and Waste Management Plan

In collaboration with our partner cities, we created the 2007 Transfer and Waste Management Plan. It was adopted by King County Council in 2007. We also prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to supplement the 2001 Comp Plan final EIS. 

2007 Transfer and Waste Management Plan

Environmental Impact Statement

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