Commenting open: January 07, 2025 12:00AM PT - January 28, 2025 11:59PM PT.
Model Ordinances for Local Governments to Manage Organic Waste
Please note that this comment form is for the purpose of submitting a comment to the Washington State Department of Ecology.
Ecology issued a SEPA Determination of Nonsignificance for the Organic Materials Management Model Ordinances on December 31, 2024.
The Organics Management Group within Ecology’s Solid Waste Management Program is releasing model ordinances to assist local governments in diverting organic materials from landfills, in accordance with RCW 70A.207.030.
Three model ordinances have been drafted with input from an Advisory Committee and the Office of the Attorney General. These ordinances are designed to discourage the disposal of organic materials in landfills, as outlined in RCW 70A.207.030. A State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review of the model ordinances is required. However, if local jurisdictions adopt any of these model ordinances, they are not required to conduct a separate local SEPA review.
Adoption or use of the model ordinances is optional. Their purpose is to support local jurisdictions in implementing the Organics Management Law and to take additional actions to divert organic waste from landfills by providing draft language for consideration.
The Organic Materials Management Model Ordinances provide draft language for
Implementing mandatory organics collection for single-family residents and certain businesses within the Organics Recycling Collection Area (ORCA) and/or Business Organics Management Area (BOMA);
Requiring waste reduction, diversion, and management plans as part of special event permits; and
Requiring new buildings to design for organic materials collection when 0.25 cubic yards per week or more of organic waste are anticipated to be generated at the final site.
Ecology is seeking public commentary on these ordinances and potential environmental impacts.
Links to the model ordinance language, SEPA Checklist, DNS, and references:
Please note that this comment form is for the purpose of submitting a comment to the Washington State Department of Ecology.
Ecology issued a SEPA Determination of Nonsignificance for the Organic Materials Management Model Ordinances on December 31, 2024.
The Organics Management Group within Ecology’s Solid Waste Management Program is releasing model ordinances to assist local governments in diverting organic materials from landfills, in accordance with RCW 70A.207.030.
Three model ordinances have been drafted with input from an Advisory Committee and the Office of the Attorney General. These ordinances are designed to discourage the disposal of organic materials in landfills, as outlined in RCW 70A.207.030. A State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review of the model ordinances is required. However, if local jurisdictions adopt any of these model ordinances, they are not required to conduct a separate local SEPA review.
Adoption or use of the model ordinances is optional. Their purpose is to support local jurisdictions in implementing the Organics Management Law and to take additional actions to divert organic waste from landfills by providing draft language for consideration.
The Organic Materials Management Model Ordinances provide draft language for
Ecology is seeking public commentary on these ordinances and potential environmental impacts.
Links to the model ordinance language, SEPA Checklist, DNS, and references:
For more information, please visit the Ecology Organics Model Ordinances webpage.
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