Solid Waste Management in Washington State
The United States is the biggest generator of waste in the world, producing an average of 1,700 pounds of waste per person per year. What happens to that waste? All waste is taken to various landfill locations, but not all landfills are created equal.
Recycling and compost go elsewhere.
Between 1994 and 2017 the total amount of MSW disposed of in Washington State doubled.
Composition of MSW.
Recycling rate by U.S. City
Seattle’s trash must be transported by rail 257 miles to the Columbia Ridge landfill in Arlington, Oregon.
Roughly half of all U.S. trash collection utilities are privately owned.
Food waste and food-soiled paper make up about 30 percent of a typical household’s waste.
Recycling and compost go elsewhere.
Between 1994 and 2017 the total amount of MSW disposed of in Washington State doubled.
Composition of MSW.
Recycling rate by U.S. City
- San Francisco, CA: 80%
- Los Angeles, CA: 76.4%
- San Jose, CA: 75%
- Portland, OR: 70%
- San Diego, CA: 68%
Seattle’s trash must be transported by rail 257 miles to the Columbia Ridge landfill in Arlington, Oregon.
Roughly half of all U.S. trash collection utilities are privately owned.
Food waste and food-soiled paper make up about 30 percent of a typical household’s waste.
MSW Per Capita in Washington
In 1994 3,872,375 tons of MSW were reported at 54 facilities that dispose of Washington's MSW. In 2017 this was increased to 5,275,557 tons. If we account for population growth, in 1994 Washington had a population of 5.335 million and in 2017 it increased to 7.423 million.
In 1994 3,872,375 tons of MSW were reported at 54 facilities that dispose of Washington's MSW. In 2017 this was increased to 5,275,557 tons. If we account for population growth, in 1994 Washington had a population of 5.335 million and in 2017 it increased to 7.423 million.
The Potency of Methane
Methane is a greenhouse gas that is 32 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
Methane is produced under conditions where little to no oxygen is available.
Landfill gas at the landfill is collected through an extensive network of pipes.
Sources of methane emissions due to human activity (2020 estimates):
Fossil fuel use: 33%
Animal agriculture: 30%
Human waste flows: 18%
Plant agriculture: 15%
Other: 4%
Methane is a greenhouse gas that is 32 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
Methane is produced under conditions where little to no oxygen is available.
Landfill gas at the landfill is collected through an extensive network of pipes.
Sources of methane emissions due to human activity (2020 estimates):
Fossil fuel use: 33%
Animal agriculture: 30%
Human waste flows: 18%
Plant agriculture: 15%
Other: 4%
Cedar Hills Regional Landfill
Landfill has been in operation since 1965 and is composed of eight separate areas. The current landfill has planned capacity until 20XX. Over 800,000 tons of solid waste a year go to CHRLF.
Miles of landfill gas at CHRLF
CHRLF serves a population of 1.5 million customers, serving 37 of 39 cities within King County. Seattle and Milton are the two exceptions.
The landfill is 920-acres in size, measuring approximately X-miles long and 0.X miles wide.
Wells are drilled into the landfill to channel the gas from the Cedar Hills landfill to the BEW plant. There the landfill gas is refined into pure methane.
Seattle (750,000) send their trash via train to a landfill in Oregon.
King County (1.5 million people) send their trash to Cedar Hills Regional Landfill near Maple Valley, WA.
Landfill has been in operation since 1965 and is composed of eight separate areas. The current landfill has planned capacity until 20XX. Over 800,000 tons of solid waste a year go to CHRLF.
Miles of landfill gas at CHRLF
CHRLF serves a population of 1.5 million customers, serving 37 of 39 cities within King County. Seattle and Milton are the two exceptions.
The landfill is 920-acres in size, measuring approximately X-miles long and 0.X miles wide.
Wells are drilled into the landfill to channel the gas from the Cedar Hills landfill to the BEW plant. There the landfill gas is refined into pure methane.
Seattle (750,000) send their trash via train to a landfill in Oregon.
King County (1.5 million people) send their trash to Cedar Hills Regional Landfill near Maple Valley, WA.
Analytics and Exhibits:
Map of landfills in Washington.
What 1,600 pounds of trash looks like.
Potency of methane.
Map of landfills in Washington.
What 1,600 pounds of trash looks like.
Potency of methane.