Local Solid Waste Management Plan (LSWMP) Outline and Checklist

This page outlines the requirements for a Planning Unit to develop a Local Solid Waste Management Plan (LSWMP). The elements of a LSWMP are described in detail in 6 NYCRR Subpart 360-15 and Section 360-1.9(f) regulations. The outline and checklist below (and in linked pages) may be used by Local Planning Units to develop and write a LSWMP that meets the requirements of these regulations.

The Importance of Solid Waste Management Planning

The Department believes that comprehensive planning is a key element of successful materials management programs. it is critical that Local Planning Units continually evaluate and improve their solid waste management strategies since they serve as guardians of public health, safety and the environment. An estimated 37 million tons of municipal solid waste are managed each year in New York State. As it decomposes in a landfill or is combusted in a waste to energy facility, MSW generates approximately 5.74 MMT CO2e annually, or 2.17 percent of total GHG emissions statewide. Recycling and solid waste management best practices are essential to reducing GHG emissions and combating climate change.

Impacts on Climate Change

Mitigating the impacts of climate change represents one of the most pressing environmental challenges for the state, the nation, and the world. The management of discarded materials represents an opportunity to reduce GHG emissions and combat climate change.

Key Principles for "Next Generation" Solid Waste Planning

Solid Waste Managers are able to develop and write LSWMPs
Provide for solid waste management within the planning unit for a 10-year period
Avoid 4-volume LSWMPs
De-emphasize EIS Model and primarily rely on Part 360 regulatory provisions
Focus attention towards top of the State SWM hierarchy (Reduction / recycling)
Look to education / enforcement for program success
Ensure all sectors are included (Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Institutional and Public Space)
Utilize hauler licensing where necessary
Analyze methods of Incentive based pricing or P.A.Y.T.
Enhance Information collection and use of data
Reflect and employ sound principles of
1. solid waste management,
2. natural resources conservation,
3. energy production, and
4. employment-creating opportunities.

Sample Table of Contents/Outline

This sample outline includes all elements of a LSWMP included in 6 NYCRR Subpart 360-15 and Section 360-1.9(f). Other outlines may be acceptable provided that they also include all the applicable regulatory elements. See links below for more information on each Chapter.

Chapter 1 - Planning Unit description
1.1 Size, location, population
1.2 Planning Unit members
1.3 Seasonal variations and unique circumstances
1.4 Lists, maps or tables
1.5 Membership changes

Chapter 2 - Solid Waste quantity and types (including recyclables)
2.1 Table of solid waste and recyclables quantities

Chapter 3 - Existing program description
3.1 SWM facility inventory table
3.2 Existing efforts to recover recyclables (including organics)
3.3 Markets for recovered recyclables

Chapter 4 Future PU projections and SW changes
4.1 Table of Solid Waste Projections
4.2 Anticipated changes to the Local Planning Unit
4.3 Anticipated changes to the waste stream in the Local Planning Unit

Chapter 5 - Technology Evaluation
5.1 Storage, treatment, disposal of solid waste
5.2 Alternative programs for recyclables, organics and waste reduction

Chapter 6 - Integrated system selection
6.1 Identify the integrated solid waste management system selected
6.2 Procedures for implementation of the recyclables recovery program
6.3 Procedures for implementation of the organics recovery program
6.4 Public Education Elements
6.5 Infrastructure Needs
6.6 Role of the Private Sector
6.7 Notification to the Private Sector (if applicable)

Chapter 7 - Implementation Schedule (with integrated recovery goals)

Chapter 8 - Laws and regulations
8.1 Local laws, rules, regulations, or ordinance constraints
8.2 Local laws or ordinances that must be adopted
8.3 Potential new laws

Chapter 9 - Interim SWM measures (if necessary)
9.1 Interim measures to manage each material
9.2 Interim Storage facilities for each material
9.3 Interim Destination facilities
9.4 Schedule for implementation of the Interim measures.

Chapter 10 - Export certification (if necessary)
10.1 Certification of disposal capacity from destination facilities

Chapter 11 - Administrative and Financial Structures
11.1 Administrative Structure
11.2 Organizational Chart
11.3 Cost Analysis
11.4 Neighboring jurisdiction impacts

Chapter 12 - Future actions to further the SWM hierarchy
12.1 How existing program succeeds at capturing recyclables
12.2 Calculations to determine that facility properly sized (if applicable)
12.3 Program enhancement to promote additional recovery
12.4 Procurement practices to use products containing recycled content

Appendix A - Public comment summary
A.1 Steps and dates for public input
A.2 An accounting for comments and views

Appendix B - SEQR

Other Chapters or Appendices as needed (surveys, background data, etc)

More about Local Solid Waste Management Plan (LSWMP) Outline and Checklist:

Chapter 1 - Local Planning Unit Description - describes some of the requirements for a Planning Unit to develop and write a Local Solid Waste Management Plan (LSWMP).
Chapter 2 - Solid Waste Quantity and Types (including recyclables) - Table for modeling recycling potentials.
Chapter 3 - Existing Program Description - How to inventory, describe all solid waste facility located within the Local Planning Unit.
Chapter 4 - Future Local Planning Unit Projections and SW Changes - Planning for changes in the planning unit and to the waste stream.
Chapter 5 -Technology Evaluation - evalution of available treatment and disposal to a planning unit and alternative recyclables and organics recovery programs.
Chapter 6 - Integrated System Selection - Identifcation and procedure for implementing the solid waste management system.
Chapter 7 - Implementation Schedule - Tracking your planning units milestones and progress.
Chapter 8 - Laws and Regulations - Indentifing the need or contraints of locals laws or ordinances.
Chapters 9 and 10 (if necessary) - Interim SWM measures and export certification.
Chapter 11 - Administrative and Financial Structures - Identify who is responsible for each element of your integrated system, a cost analysis and the impacts of neighboring planning units.
Chapter 12 - Future Actions to Further the State SWM Hierarchy - How your currently system is working, promoting additionalrecovery and planning for future expansions.
LSWMP Outline and Checklist Appendices - Public comment summary, State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) and Other Information.
LSWMP Formal Approval Process - describes some of the requirements for a Planning Unit to develop and write a LSWMP.