STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Environmental & Sustainability
AGENDA DATE: June 22, 2022
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): NA
DEPARTMENT: Department of Sanitation Services
EXECUTIVE: Carl Simpson
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SUBJECT
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A resolution authorizing the adoption of an amended and restated Local Solid Waste Management Plan for the City of Dallas - Financing: This action has no cost consideration to the City (see Fiscal Information)
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BACKGROUND
Local Solid Waste Management Plans (LSWMP) are required at both the regional and local levels, by state law, under the Texas Health and Safety Code, which also provides for the content and approval requirements of these plans. Their purpose is to identify current and future solid waste management needs, to evaluate program and technical options for meeting these needs, and to define a course of action for future waste generated in the city. Dallas’s current plan was developed beginning in 2011 and adopted by the City Council in February 2013.
The City achieved several important milestones over the last decade, including the construction of a Materials Recovery/Recycling Facility on the McCommas Bluff site in support of our residential recycling collection operations, and the adoption of the Multi-Family Recycling Ordinance, which requires most apartment properties provide access to recycling for their tenants.
The process to update the LSWMP began in Spring 2021, with a survey of residents and commercial stakeholders covering many aspects of the City’s integrated solid waste management system including: recycle and garbage collection, brush and bulky item collection, household chemical collection and disposal, resident drop off locations, and multi-family and commercial recycling. Over 5,500 people participated in the survey, and the distribution of responses from across the City closely mirrored survey responses received during the development of the Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan (CECAP). The results of the survey were used to engage stakeholders in meetings, and ultimately guided the goal setting process for the plan. Individual stakeholder meetings were conducted virtually with community stakeholders, City departments, and neighborhood coalition groups.
The LSWMP update provides for updated goals and objectives in pursuit of the City’s material management challenges. The goals and objectives have been updated to align with those adopted as part of CECAP, most recent data collected during the current system review and recent stakeholder engagement conducted as part of the LSWMP Update. The updated goals and objectives recall the core ideas from the 2011 LSWMP objectives and indicate the needs to continue progress toward the City’s long-term Zero Waste goal while focusing the near-term goals in alignment with those adopted by CECAP. The intention of the updated goals and objectives is to provide strategic targets for the City to utilize as part of current and future program and infrastructure planning efforts.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On April 22, 2020, City Council authorized an agreement for solid waste consulting services for the Department of Sanitation Services with Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc, for on-call solid waste consulting services and to update the City of Dallas’ existing LSWMP.
On April 16, 2021, the Environment and Sustainability Task Force was briefed on initial progress on the LSWMP update.
On May 3, 2021, the Environment and Sustainability Committee was briefed on initial progress on the LSWMP update.
On November 1, 2021, the Environment and Sustainability Committee was briefed on community and stakeholder engagement and further progress on the LSWMP update.
On February 11, 2022, the Environmental Commission was briefed on draft goals and objectives developed for the LSWMP update.
On March 7, 2022, the Environment and Sustainability Committee was briefed on draft goals and objectives developed for the LSWMP update.
On May 2, 2022, the Environment and Sustainability Committee was briefed by memorandum on the status of the LSWMP update.
On June 6, 2022, the Environment and Sustainability Committee was presented with the final draft of the LSWMP for consideration to advance to the full City Council for adoption.
FISCAL INFORMATION
This action has no cost consideration to the City. Future year appropriations for LSWMP initiatives will be established through the annual budget development process, subject to City Council approval.