ETCOG is Seeking Feedback on Future Solid Waste Needs in East Texas
Survey Requesting Feedback to be Sent to Select Members

ETCOG serves as the state-designated regional planning agency for solid waste in East Texas and is seeking input on solid waste priorities in the region. We have hired AZ&B, a Texas engineering firm, to provide consulting services to develop the updated Regional Solid Waste Management Plan to guide regional efforts over the next 20 years. ETCOG’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) will be overseeing the project.
We want to alert our jurisdictions that AZ&B will be sending out a survey by email through Survey Monkey on Friday, March 26, requesting feedback and thoughts on regional waste management goals and priorities from those responsible for solid waste management. The survey will come from mcarleton@azb-engrs.com and be sent to pre-selected member governments, non-profit partners, advocacy groups, private sectors, and industry leaders.
This survey is an essential part of the planning process. ETCOG is requesting your participation in completing the survey in order to: 1) better understand the current solid waste management needs and resources in the region; 2) to understand your primary concerns and help establish specific goals and objectives for the Plan, and 3) to identify opportunities for cooperative actions that can help reduce waste generation and the cost of managing waste.
The feedback received from this survey will inform updates to the regional waste management goals and objectives.
The Regional Solid Waste Management Plan documents:
- Current waste management needs, challenges, and opportunities;
- Current state of practice including policy, technology, and public/private partnerships;
- New national, state, and regional goals for a variety of waste management activities;
- Existing programs and alternatives;
- Updated regional waste management data;
- Updated/new priorities for regional collaboration; and
- Strategies and objectives to address the identified needs over the next 20 years.
The Regional Solid Waste Management Plan for East Texas was last updated in 2015. The Plan currently focuses on five goal areas to emphasize in solid waste management initiatives in East Texas. These five areas include:
- Maintain long term, cost effective transportation and disposal opportunities for all areas of the region.
- Develop programs to control illegal dumping in incorporated and unincorporated areas and manage special wastes.
- Develop and encourage cost effective recycling, composting, source reduction and other waste minimization activities in the region.
- Develop and evaluate institutional arrangements affecting solid waste management.
- Coordinate Regional Plan implementation and encourage local planning activities.
Current Plan: Volume 1, Volume 2
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Lisa Smith at lisa.smith@etcog.org or (903) 218-6467.
The preparation of this survey is funded by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.






