The City of Olathe, Kansas is the fastest growing municipality in the Kansas City metro area, and the Solid Waste Division Manager recognized that increasing population; new, single and multi-family home developments; and growth in commercial establishments would require additional services, resources, and infrastructure to continue the same excellent level of service. The City determined that a long-term, solid waste management plan (Plan) was necessary to address future waste management needs of the City, as well as optimize the performance and efficiency of existing waste management services and facilities.
Olathe’s long-term solid waste plan was a first for the City and resulted in creating tangible pathways to environmental and financial sustainability for the next several decades despite the cost of recycling programs. Customers and elected officials support the City’s approach, surpassing another sometimes-prickly hurdle.
In their recent APWA Reporter article, Karen Luken and Anastasia Welch of SCS Engineers describe how the Olathe Solid Waste Division now has a strategic approach and schedule for adding collection routes, increasing recycling, purchasing equipment, and expanding facilities.
This informative article, Strategic planning for sustainable and stakeholder-supported waste systems is available online at APWA.
Solid Waste Management Planning
Learn how four municipalities are finding ways to lower their operational costs to balance the rising cost of recycling.
Three distinguished recycling experts describe how cities from Kirkland, Washington to Oklahoma City to Virginia Beach and Chesapeake have taken action to lower their operational costs, offsetting the cost of recycling. Each city takes a different approach, but all are using sound strategies to balance the books successfully and sustainably.
APWA Click-Listen-Learn event details and registration – March 14
11:00 am Eastern | 10:00 am Central | 9:00 am Mountain | 8:00 am Pacific
Participants will learn:
Participants may earn CEU credit for attending during the Test Your Knowledge portion of the program evaluation.
APWA encourages group participation and follows up as part of their program to Continue the Conversation promoting a deeper understanding of how these solutions relate directly to your responsibilities, agency or department, and city.
Free to all APWA Members | Fee for others is $99
Learn how four municipalities are finding ways to lower their operational costs to balance the rising cost of recycling.
Three distinguished recycling experts describe how cities from Kirkland, Washington to Oklahoma City to Virginia Beach and Chesapeake have taken action to lower their operational costs, offsetting the cost of recycling. Each city takes a slightly different approach, but all are using the same strategies to balance the books successfully and sustainably.
APWA Click-Listen-Learn event details and registration – March 14
11:00 am Eastern | 10:00 am Central | 9:00 am Mountain | 8:00 am Pacific
Participants will learn:
Participants may earn CEU credit for attending during the Test Your Knowledge portion of the program evaluation.
APWA encourages group participation and follows up as part of their program to Continue the Conversation promoting a deeper understanding of how these solutions relate directly to your responsibilities, agency or department, and city.
Free to all APWA Members | Fee for others is $99
