Pierce County received the green light from Department of Ecology to pursue actions to reduce waste disposal from four pounds per person per day to just one pound per day.
The actions are from a prioritized list of environmentally sound waste handling practices, waste reduction and recycling programs contained in the recently approved 2008 Supplement to the Tacoma-Pierce County Solid Waste Management Plan.

The supplement also rededicates efforts to the successful Pierce County Responds and environmental education programs.

“Plans like these force a hard look at difficult issues,” said Peter Lyon, regional section manager for Ecology’s Waste-2-Resources program. “They draw road maps and provide direction for future activities, and we look forward to Pierce County’s continued progress and successful implementation of their plan.”

“We are pleased with the waste management policy we’ve developed with our public and private sector partners,” added Steve Wamback, Solid Waste Administrator for Pierce County Public Works and Utilities. “Together we will succeed at reducing the waste stream in Pierce County.”

Before approval by Ecology, the updated plan was adopted by the Pierce County Council in November 2008. In 2009, 21 local cities and towns concurred with the council action. Public Works and Utilities serves as the lead solid waste planning agency for the county and local communities that have entered into interlocal agreements with the county.
The plan aims to reduce the overall waste stream, promote public health and safety, address citizen concerns, promote conservation of energy, develop economically responsible methods, and promote the use of private industry solid waste services when practical. The full plan is available at http://www.piercecountywa.org/swplan .