The LCSWMD is responsible for implementing this Plan and all future municipal waste planning and Plan revision efforts for Luzerne County. The legal authority for this office is derived from the County Code, the Luzerne County Council and the Luzerne County Manager. The function of this office involves the following principal activities:
· Administration of the Luzerne County Solid Waste Management Ordinance
o The Waste Management Ordinance was rescinded by a recommendation of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee as part of the development of the 2010 Luzerne County SWMP.
o As part of the 2021 Plan Update, the Luzerne County Solid Waste Management Ordinance will be revised and proposed to County Council for ratification.
· Coordination of Recycling
o This function involves coordination among the mandated municipalities and providing assistance to all Luzerne County municipalities, private citizens, and agencies that wish to become involved in the recycling efforts of the County.
· Recycling Implementation
o This function involves facilitating the implementation of municipal curbside and drop-off programs, as well as any special collection efforts within the County and education efforts.
· The County is responsible for:
o Regulating the establishment, maintenance and operation of private solid waste collection, storage, transportation and disposal services.
o Assisting communities in adopting, issuing and enforcing local rules and regulations.
o Informing municipalities about changes in federal and state laws, rules and regulations that may affect or would affect solid waste management in the County or municipalities.
o Providing technical assistance to municipalities in implementing municipal recycling and composting programs.
o Providing technical assistance to commercial establishments and institutions in implementing recycling programs.
o Operating any special waste collection projects sponsored by the County.
o Planning and implementing County-wide programs to provide general education to the public about recycling and composting, and to provide information about the range of recycling opportunities throughout the County.
o Continuing to promote recycling through school programs and with civic organizations.
o Collecting and evaluating data on recycling and waste generation by municipality and County.
o Collecting and evaluating data on recycling and waste generation by commercial, institutional and industrial establishments in the County.
o Preparing required reports for submission to the PADEP.
More specifically, the LCSWMD oversees agreements executed (or to be executed) by the County to secure adequate disposal capacity for municipal wastes that will be generated within Luzerne County over the next ten years. The LCSWMD will also be responsible for exploring and implementing additional recycling programs and facilities as deemed necessary or as cost-effective and affordable opportunities arise in the future. The County’s recycling program is administered by a full-time Recycling/Solid Waste Coordinator, who is a member of the LCSWMD staff.
Municipal Waste Management Plan Implementing Entity Identification
The County is authorized under Act 101 to take any and all actions and to exercise all such powers as are necessary to design, develop, finance, construct, own, operate and manage a County-wide, assured long-term integrated solid waste management system that is environmentally safe, economical and uses proven technology. Such powers and actions include but are not limited to the power to promulgate rules, regulations, fees and penalties applicable to the collection, storage, transportation, processing, recycling and disposal of municipal waste generated, collected, stored, transported, recycled, processed or disposed of within the County.
These specifically include the power to:
a. Develop, adopt, revise and implement a SWMP for the County.
b. To maintain disposal contracts over the 10-year planning period.
c. To approve or deny petitions to be added to the SWMP from disposal facilities.
d. To approve or deny requests to use back-up facilities.
e. To develop and implement an integrated municipal waste management system for the County to insure the proper collection, transportation, processing and disposal of all municipal waste generated within the County.
f. Adopt ordinances, resolutions, regulations and standards for the processing and disposal of MSW, as long as it is not less stringent or in violation or inconsistent with Act 97 or Act 101.
g. Require that all MSW generated within its boundaries shall be properly collected so as to insure it is processed and disposed at designated facilities contained in the County Plan.
h. To administer and enforce a registration program for haulers and vehicles transporting waste collected within the County.
i. To promulgate rules, regulations, fees and penalties applicable to the collection, storage, transportation, processing, recycling and disposal of municipal waste generated, collected, stored, transported, recycled, processed or disposed within the County.
j. To prepare reports to the PADEP as required by Act 101.
k. To apply for and receive grants under Chapter 9 of Act 101 to develop and implement the Plan.
Local governments also have implementing responsibilities; these include, but are not limited to:
a. Implementation of mandates specified in Act 101 and the Plan.
b. Inclusion in their bid specifications for collection services that stipulate materials designated by the municipality for inclusion in the municipal recycling program not be collected and disposed of with the municipal waste.
c. Preparation of reports to the County as required by Act 101 and LCSWMD.
d. Adoption of ordinances, resolutions, regulations and standards for the processing and disposal of MSW, as long as it is not less stringent or in violation or inconsistent with Act 97 or Act 101.
e. Development and implementation of an integrated municipal waste management system for the municipality that conforms to the recommendations of the most recent County SWMP.
The County’s 2020 operating budget for the Solid Waste Management Department is expected to be approximately $505,800, which includes:
· Personnel and related expenses
· Office expenses
· Solid waste planning expenses
· Special waste collection programs, such as supporting municipal electronic waste and County tire collections
Municipal Waste Management Plan Implementing Entity Identification
· Recycling education programs, including school programs
· Municipal Solid Waste Management Plan implementation
With the uncertainty of the future of Act 101 Recycling Fund (and its grant programs), it is important to ensure that sufficient funds are available to continue to fund these County responsibilities without grant assistance. Without such funding, the future of existing waste reduction and diversion operations is questionable.
The following time schedule is presented for the planning and implementation of the component parts of this Plan:
July 2020 Draft Substantial SWMP was released for a ninety (90) day for municipal review period. This includes:
· Notice in papers-twice in two consecutive weeks
· Public Comment period open
· One public hearing in that time
· Copy to DEP, County Planning Department, Municipalities, County Health Department
October 2020 Municipal comment period ends
October 2020 Final SWMP submitted to the County Manager for draft ratification December 31, 2020 Former Disposal Capacity Assurance Contracts with Luzerne County expire January 2021 New Disposal Capacity Assurance Contracts with Luzerne County commence January 2021 Final SWMP submitted to the County Council by the County Manager for final
adoption, adopted plan sent to municipalities to ratify
April 2021 Adopted plan to be submitted to the PADEP for final approval June 2021 Anticipate PADEP Plan approval
Municipal Waste Management Plan Implementing Entity Identification
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Municipal Waste Management Plan Public Function
Luzerne County SWMP 8-1 Barton & Loguidice, D.P.C.
CHAPTER 8 - PUBLIC FUNCTION