GWINNETT COUNTY SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN

​

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

In 1990, the Georgia Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act became law. Among other matters, the Act requires local governments to complete a local solid waste management plan and to update it periodically. Gwinnett County and many of the municipalities within the county developed a state-approved solid waste management plan in 1991 that was amended in 1993 and 1994 (SWMP 1991, amended). After more than 10 years, an update to the local solid waste management plan is required.

 

At the same time, citizens in Gwinnett County began expressing growing concerns about the management of solid waste collections and impacts to quality of life. The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, therefore, directed its Solid Waste Citizens Advisory Board and Solid Waste and Recycling Coordinator to undertake a study of solid waste issues; make recommendations for their resolution, if necessary; and prepare the drafting of an update to the SWMP 1991, amended to include the Cities of Berkeley Lake, Dacula, Duluth, Grayson, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Norcross, Snellville, Sugar Hill and Suwanee.

 

After an intensive 16-month study undertaken by national solid waste experts and an extensive stakeholder participation process in which more than 5000 citizens contributed, this document was prepared. It serves as the Plan Update to the local comprehensive solid waste management plan, as required by state law. It covers a planning period from 2005 – 2020 and includes the physical area and political jurisdictions of Gwinnett County and the participating Plan Update Cities.

 

The Plan Update addresses provisions that are required by state law and regulations by examining the 5 core planning elements:

1) Waste reduction, 2) Waste collection, 3) Waste disposal, 4) Land limitation, and 5) Education and public involvement.

 

The Plan Update meets the requirements for a revised local comprehensive solid waste management plan by calculating current and future solid waste disposal amounts per person over the course of the planning period and by:

• Providing an inventory and assessment of existing solid waste programs; xii

• Providing assurance of adequate solid waste handling capability and disposal capacity;

• Identifying solid waste management needs and establishing local goals;

• Identifying strategies to accomplish the local goals and to meet the State’s per capita municipal solid waste reduction goal and targets;

• Identifying an implementation and financial plan to accomplish the local and state goals; and

• Identifying the roles and responsibilities of governmental agencies, the private sector and the general public in addressing effective solid waste management.

 

The Plan Update provides a strategy for managing solid waste in an environmentally sound, cost-effective and service enhanced manner. In addition to the analysis undertaken in drafting the Plan Update, residents’ concerns have been heard and cost-effective and efficient collection proposals have been studied. Key conclusions of the study, stakeholder involvement and Plan Update analysis are outlined below.

 

Study and Stakeholder Conclusions

​

• Gwinnett County’s current system of non-exclusive franchise, voluntary resident participation and residential solid waste and recycling collection has served the needs in the past.

• The current system now is inefficient, not cost-effective and limits the services the County can provide.

• An estimated 20,000 households do not use residential curbside solid waste or recycling collection service.

• There is too much truck traffic in neighborhoods, adding noise and pollution, and compromising safety and public health.

• Illegal dumping has increased in recent years.

• Citizens want more recycling.

• Citizens have asked for a change.

• Solid Waste collection programs within the cities, except Suwanee, are meeting current needs.

 

Click here for complete solid waste management plan...