Kitsap County, Washington
Ordinance No. 233-1999
Prevention of Waste in County Government

An ordinance to decrease waste in Kitsap County government operations by promoting the efficient use of resources, replacing toxic products with less toxic alternatives, the purchasing of environmentally-preferred products, and establishing recycling as the preferred solid waste management practice for all County operations.

WHEREAS, the National Association of Counties has launched a campaign to help counties increase their use of environmentally-preferred products and services in county operations without compromising budgetary or performance requirements;

WHEREAS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established preferred product standards which have been adopted as the minimum standards for the State of Washington in RCW 43.19A.020;

WHEREAS, RCW 70.95.010 (15) states that "all government entities in the state should set an example by implementing aggressive waste reduction and recycling programs at their workplaces and by purchasing products that are made from recycled materials and are recyclable;"

WHEREAS, Chapter 43.19A RCW, encourages local governments to take actions to substantially increase the procurement of recycled-content products and to provide a model to encourage a comparable commitment by Washington State citizens and businesses;

WHEREAS, as stated in RCW 70.105.150, "the health and welfare of the people of the state depend on clean and pure environmental resources unaffected by hazardous waste contamination. Management and regulation of hazardous waste disposal should encourage practices which result in the least amount of waste being produced;" and

WHEREAS Kitsap County can set an example for the local business community in the cost-effective and sustainable use of energy, water, and other natural resources;

Now therefore, be it ordained by the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners:

SECTION I: PURPOSE

This ordinance establishes a waste reduction program to achieve the following goals:

• Reduce the cost of conducting County operations by reducing waste in all departments
• Ensure the participation of every department in all aspects of this program
• Ensure that every department purchases environmentally-preferred products and services without compromising budgetary or performance requirements
• Reduce the amount of hazardous wastes departments generate and ensure proper treatment, storage, and disposal of generated hazardous wastes
• Implement practices and policies to ensure efficient use of energy, water and other resources by each department
• Encourage other Elected Officials to implement these goals in their offices
• Serve as an example for other institutions, both public and private

SECTION II: DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Each year, to facilitate the implementation of this ordinance, Kitsap County Public Works will develop a set of waste reduction objectives for the calendar year specific to the department, a target date for completion of each objective, and a one-page progress report form. The waste reduction objectives are designed to:

• prevent waste of materials, energy and water resulting from County operations
• replace toxic products used as part of County operations with less toxic alternatives
• increase the use of environmentally-preferred products
• increase recycling of wastes generated from County operations

For objectives requiring the purchase of materials, the Purchasing Division will develop:

• a preferred product and purchasing source list
• purchasing goals for each product, defined as a percentage of total expenditures

Each department will use the preferred product and purchasing source list and purchasing goals for purchases made either through Purchasing or directly by the department.

The waste reduction objectives with target completion dates, preferred product and purchasing source list, purchasing goals, and a progress report form will be submitted as one document, titled "Guidelines for Reducing Waste" (Guidelines) to the Board of Commissioners for approval by January 15 of each year.

Each department will implement the Guidelines by the target dates. Public Works will provide staff training and prepare education materials necessary to assist each department in implementing the Guidelines.

SECTION III: GENERAL PROVISIONS

Kitsap County shall provide written notice requiring its contractors and consultants to comply with the requirements of this ordinance while fulfilling contractual obligations to the County.

SECTION IV: REPORTING

Every department will report their progress toward meeting their Guidelines to the Board of Commissioners by December 31of each year.

SECTION V: EFFECTIVE DATE

This ordinance shall be of full force and effect immediately upon passage.

DATED this 26th day of April, 1999.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Kitsap County Public Works
The Open Line
(360) 337-5777 or (800) 825-4940
openline@co.kitsap.wa.us