Solid Waste Planning – Solid Waste Management Alternatives Analysis, Sonoma County, California

The Sonoma County Department of Transportation & Public Works hired SCS Engineers to define and evaluate options for its Solid Waste Management system for the years 2015 through 2050. The purpose of the project was to produce a long-term integrated waste management strategy to meet the long-term disposal needs of the County.

The project participants included the County’s Integrated Waste Management Task Force, made up of public agencies, private industry, environmental groups, community activists and County staff.

The 13-month process included the following elements:

• examining existing and future needs of the solid waste system
• establishing methodology for reviewing and selecting plan alternatives
• identifying waste management alternatives, including policies, programs, facilities and emerging technologies
• formulating management scenarios
• estimating system costs
• creating implementation guidelines and timeline
• selecting a preferred plan scenario to meet the future disposal needs of the community
• coordinating Solid Waste Task Force meetings and presentations

Sonoma County’s Board of Supervisors approved the project recommendations in February 2001, paving the way for implementation of the adopted strategy.