The 15-member Pierce County Solid Waste Advisory Committee is looking for new members to help address critical garbage, recycling, and waste reduction matters. Residents, business owners/managers and leaders of public interest groups are encouraged to apply. The SWAC is particularly interested in representation from the unincorporated area.

“Pierce County continues to grow and produce more garbage. Our constant challenge is to reduce the amount of garbage that has to be landfilled. SWAC members will play an important role in how we handle these issues,” said Steve Wamback, Solid Waste Division Administrator.

The SWAC is now updating the County’s Solid Waste Management Plan. The plan helps decide what programs are to be implemented and how to pay for them. Discussions to date have included electronics recycling, “green” building, food waste recycling, and mandatory collection programs.

Past SWAC members played key roles in the creation of the popular Pierce County Responds and Single-Cart Recycling programs. Citizens are encouraged to apply for SWAC membership and begin to share their ideas with the community.

For an application and more information, call the Pierce County Solid Waste Division at 253-798-2179 or download the form at http://www.piercecountywa.org/swac . This recruitment will remain open until the Division receives a sufficient number of applications to forward to the County Executive and County Council. An initial review of applications will take place Aug. 13.