Regional Planning and Closed Landfill Inventory

By State Law (Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 363.0615), Council of Governments (COG) have the primary responsibility for regional solid waste management planning. In 1989, the Texas Legislature established the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Program and requested that all COGs develop Solid Waste Management Program Plans. In September 1994, STDC completed its first plan. Then in 2002, an update to the original regional plan was completed, which also contained the South Texas Closed Landfill Inventory, as required under the Texas Health & Safety Code. The Close Landfill Inventory was a document developed to be used to identify location of closed permitted landfill sites in the South Texas region, as well as those sites not permitted. Planning issues contained in the South Texas Regional SWM Plan related to resource recovery, recycling, illegal dumping, household hazardous waste and local enforcement is highlighted. The South Texas Regional Solid Waste Management plan sets the basis for project grant funding to local cities and counties in the region.

South Texas Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC)

Members of the SWAC are appointed by the various cities and counties are approved by the STDC Board of Directors to represent their respective jurisdictions on the SWAC. The SWAC serves in an advisory capacity on issues related to resource recovery, recycling, household hazardous waste, illegal dumping and local enforcement issues.

The SWAC has two main functions:

1. Provide guidance to STDC Solid Waste Program Staff on projects related to Solid Waste Management in the region; and
2. To foster regionalism in the implementation and development of solid waste related project and needs.