Solid Waste Management Plan
In Kansas, counties are responsible for solid waste planning, and in Johnson County this is done through the Johnson County Solid Waste Management Committee who develop a solid waste management plan (SWMP). The Board of County Commissioners formally adopts the SWMP after a required public hearing, and it is ultimately approved by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to become official. As required by Kansas law, the plan is reviewed annually to track the completion of and progress towards short and long term goals that are called out in the SWMP.
2024 Solid Waste Management Plan
The process of creating the next Solid Waste Management Plan is underway.
Share your thoughts on topics including:
- recycling
- household hazardous waste
- organics (food and yard waste) diversion
- construction and demolition waste
The survey takes about 5 minutes to complete and will be open until March 22nd.
Previous Solid Waste Plans
2019 Plan
Key Elements of the 2019 Plan:
- New Household Hazardous Waste facility
- Evaluation of infrastructure to manage organic waste
- Expanding education and outreach to continue to reduce contamination and increase recycling
- Explorer multi-family housing recycling
- Commercial hauling
- Continue to work with cities and HOAs
View the 2019 Solid Waste Management Plan
2013 Plan
Key Elements of the 2013 Solid Waste Management Plan edition:
- Increase commercial recycling through education and awareness.
- Increase reuse and recovery of renovation, construction and demolition waste materials.
- Work with the cities, homeowners associations, the unincorporated areas and the private sector to increase residential participation in recycling.
- Review county operations to identify and implement waste reduction opportunities.
- Coordinate with nearby county and regional partners in evaluating and implementing waste reduction strategies.
- Develop an assistance program for businesses and other commercial entities.
Previous versions of the Solid Waste Management Plan can be obtained by contacting Brandon Hearn 913-715-6936
Solid Waste Management Code
The purpose of the Solid Waste Management Code is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the residents of Johnson County. It provides uniform and prudent regulations of solid waste within the county, from its generation through its collection, storage, transportation, processing, treatment and disposal. The Code requires licenses and permits at the county level for the collection and transportation of solid waste, and for the operation of solid waste processing facilities. It also provides procedures for investigation and resolution of the improper disposal of solid waste in the unincorporated areas of Johnson County.
Johnson County Code of Regulations for Solid Waste Management
Waste Characterization Study
Every few years Environmental Division staff conduct a waste characterization study to see how the overall waste stream of Johnson County has changed. As with the 2006 study, three sites were selected within the county, including the Waste Management Landfill, the City of Olathe Transfer Station, and the APAC-Reno Construction and Demolition Debris Landfill. Representative samples were taken from each location and analyzed to see what the Johnson County waste stream is comprised of, which then allows DHE staff to incorporate that information into future solid waste planning efforts.
Main waste streams included (percentage by weight):
- Total Paper Fibers- 30%
- Food- 23%
- Total Plastics- 18%
- Glass- 4.8%
- Yard Waste- 3%
To request a copy of previous Waste Characterization studies please contact Brandon Hearn 913-715-6936