Until March 8, King County is welcoming public comment on its draft Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan, which provides direction for managing King County’s garbage and recycling over the next six to 20 years. Public comment is also being sought on a draft Environmental Impact Statement that evaluates the environmental impacts of options in the draft plan.

County officials say public comments on these two far-reaching documents will inform policy-maker decisions on how garbage and recycling is managed in King County for the next six to 20 years. People can participate in a public meeting, take a brief online survey or read the materials online and send submit comments directly.

The draft plan provides direction on how King County will provide the services customers expect while keeping fees as low and stable as possible. It also recommends programs to prevent, recycle and dispose of waste that will protect human health and the environment. The draft EIS evaluates the potential environmental impacts of options discussed in the draft plan.

While there are many components to the draft plan and EIS, decisions on the following three major topics will affect everyone in King County, according to a recent press release:

• King County has a goal to recycle 70 percent of its waste stream. The current recycling rate for the county is 52 percent. What actions should the County take to reach the 70 percent goal?

• What are the most important services that should be provided at King County’s garbage and recycling transfer facilities, including facilities in northeast King County?

• How should King County dispose of its garbage over the long term?

For more information, visit kingcounty.gov/solid-waste-comp-plan.