Kansas
Department of Health & Environment
Bill Graves, Governor
Clyde D. Graeber, Secretary
For Immediate Release
February 27, 2001
Contact: Bill Bider, 785-296-1612
The vision for the first decade of the twenty first century is one of stability and continued growth in recycling and composting, according to the new Kansas State Solid Waste Management Plan just released by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment this week.
Bill Bider, Director of the KDHE Bureau of Waste Management, noted that "Unlike the 1990s where many Kansas landfills were closed and there was an explosion in recycling and composting programs across the state, the next ten years will likely see adequate landfill capacity with moderate and gradual improvements in solid waste management services and facilities."
The new plan is an update of the Kansas Solid Waste Management Plan originally adopted in December 1996. It provides 33 goals for the state involving data needs, local and state solid waste planning, roles, responsibilities and authorities, solid waste collection and transportation, alternative waste management methods and source reduction, statutory considerations, program resources, technical training and assistance, and public education and awareness.
The Kansas plan provides important guidelines for the statewide solid waste program for the next five years. Bider emphasized, "This plan reflects the long-standing policy of giving local government officials the flexibility to choose the waste options that work best for their communities."
In developing the plan, KDHE held a public meeting in Wichita last June to review the draft plan and receive public comments. KDHE revised the plan after reviewing the comments. The plan is available on the Bureau of Waste Management Web site at www.kdheks.gov/waste/.