ABSTRACT
Planning for the disposal of solid waste is often overlooked as part of a traditional comprehensive plan. But disposing of solid waste is not cheap, and the cost of disposing of solid waste has been increasing despite greater recycling efforts. A compelling argument can be made that a community or region should be responsible for safely disposing of its own waste. But disposal should be seen as a last resort. Unfortunately, in the short run, disposal is often cheaper than recycling or reuse. A garbage audit can show where progress is being made in reducing the waste stream and where more effort is needed to decrease the sources of waste and increase recycling. Recycling and reuse of products and packaging is not a total solution to solid waste. Some materials, such as polystyrene, cannot be recycled. The amount of material that consumers, businesses, and governments use will have to decrease in the long run.
