Code of Alabama
Article 3 - Solid Waste Management Plan.
Section 22-27-45 - State Solid Waste Management Plan.

The Director of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, with the advice and consultation of the Solid Waste Management Advisory Committee, is directed to prepare a State Solid Waste Management Plan. In developing the state plan, the department will seek to achieve the following goals:
(1) That solid waste facilities and management systems are provided for in an orderly manner consistent with the needs and plans of the state and its regions and local governments;
(2) That alternative methods of solid waste management are encouraged as a means of reducing the state's dependence on landfilling;
(3) That all aspects of local, regional and state planning, zoning, population estimates, and economics are taken into consideration; and
(4) That appropriate time schedules are set for the phasing in of the required component parts of the system. Said plan shall be developed in two phases:
a. The first phase of the plan shall be developed prior to the development of the local plans required herein and shall serve as a guide for the local plans. Within 180 days of May 16, 1989, the department shall complete the first phase of the plan which shall, at a minimum:
1. Summarize, using available information, the number, location, current usage, and life expectancy of all permitted solid waste management facilities in the state including without limitation all landfills, sanitary landfills, incinerators, transfer stations, processing facilities and resource recovery facilities;
2. Estimate, using acceptable averaging methods, the general volumes of solid waste expected to be generated in the state per year. After approval of all local plans as provided elsewhere herein, revise and periodically amend these estimates to reflect conditions as reflected in approved local plans;
3. Establish objectives, methods and goals to encourage solid waste reduction, recycling, reuse, and minimization, such objectives to include proposed regulations or legislation to implement a statewide goal of a 25 percent waste reduction and recycling program;
4. Identify alternative means to provide for waste management and disposal capacity assurance within the state;
5. Establish criteria to be used by local governments for the identification of potential locations for solid waste management facilities in the jurisdiction or region.
Such criteria shall at a minimum require consideration of the following:
(i) The unit of local government's solid waste management needs as identified in its plan;
(ii) The relationship of any potential location to planned or existing development or the absence thereof, to major transportation arteries and to existing state primary and secondary roads;
(iii) The relationship of any potential location to existing industries in the jurisdiction or state that generate large volumes of solid waste, or the relationship to areas projected by the state or the local regional planning and development commission for development of industries that will generate large volumes of solid waste;
(iv) The costs and availability of public services, facilities and improvements which would be required to support a facility in this location and protect public health, safety and the environment;
(v) The potential impact a facility in any potential location would have on public health and safety, and the potential that such locations can be utilized in a manner so as to minimize the impact on public health and safety; and
(vi) The social and economic impacts that any proposed location would have on the affected community, including changes in property values and social or community perception.
6. Develop forms for use by local governments in completing their own plans.
b. The second phase of the plan shall be developed as the individual plans of local governments are approved by the department. It shall be the purpose of this phase to incorporate the local plans and to develop a final master plan for solid waste management in the state. This phase shall, at a minimum:
1. Revise all estimates and summaries contained in the first phase of the state plan to reflect information contained in the approved local plans;
2. Based on estimates of need as developed herein, project waste volume capacity needs annually for a 10-year period for the state and for each regional planning commission region and each county therein;
3. Based on the information developed in other parts of the plan, estimate and periodically revise said estimate of the number and type of solid waste management facilities which may be required to serve the future needs of the state and its local governments.
4. Encourage alternative management techniques for solid wastes;
5. Encourage the state's city and county jurisdictions to combine their efforts to manage solid wastes more efficiently;
6. Evaluate existing service areas and evaluate the option of developing waste flow controls within the state;
7. Develop policies and serve as a source of information for local jurisdictions regarding changing conditions in solid waste management;
8. Make such other determinations and recommendations as the director shall deem necessary or appropriate in keeping with the findings and purposes of the Legislature set forth herein.
c. Generally, the state's solid waste management plan shall be subject to amendment and periodic revision. Each periodic revision of the solid waste management plan may include:
1. A revised estimate of solid waste generation and disposal in the state projected for a 10-year period.
2. The total amounts of solid waste generated, recycled, and disposed of, and the methods of solid waste recycling and disposal used during the calendar year prior to the year in which the plan is revised.
3. An evaluation of the development and implementation of local solid waste management programs and county and municipal recycling programs.
4. An evaluation of the success of each county or group of counties in meeting the local solid waste reduction goals.
5. Recommendations concerning existing and potential programs for solid waste reduction and recycling that would be appropriate for local governments and state agencies to implement to meet the requirements of this article.
6. An evaluation of the markets for recycled materials and the success of state, local, and private industry efforts to enhance the markets for such materials.
7. Recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature to improve the management and recycling of solid waste in this state.
d. At the completion of each phase of development of the State Solid Waste Management Plan and each subsequent revision, the plan, as revised, shall be adopted by the department as a final regulation in accord with applicable statutory procedures.