Western Region Solid Waste Capacity Study
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), in coordination with the Resource Conservation Council, initiated the Western Region Solid Waste Capacity Study* in July 2020 and completed it in July 2021. The study's objective was to gain a better understanding of the long-term solid waste management needs in the western eight counties of the North Central Texas region, which consists of Erath, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant, and Wise (hereafter referred to as the Western Region) and to determine potential opportunities to address future landfill capacity challenges.
As the North Central Texas region continues to experience growth in both population and economic activity, the region will need to manage an increasing quantity of solid waste generated by both residents and businesses. According to Texas Commission of Environmental Quality’s 2019 Municipal Solid Waste Annual Report, the NCTCOG region as a whole has approximately 35 years of reserve landfill capacity. However, the estimated landfill capacity of the Western Region is 20 to 25 years as there is less infrastructure for managing the projected increase of solid waste in these counties.
A Policy Advisory Group, comprised of representatives from communities located within the Western Region, was formed to guide the activities of the Western Region Solid Waste Capacity Study. Although the study is completed, the Policy Advisory Group plans to continue meeting in order to move forward with implementing its recommendations. Information on past and upcoming activities related to the study and solid waste capacity in the Western Region can be found below.
*The study was funded through a solid waste management grant provided by TCEQ through NCTCOG. This funding does not necessarily indicate endorsement of the study findings and recommendations.
Policy Advisory Group Meetings
FY2023
FY2022
FY2021
FY2020
Events
Local governments in the western portion of the NCTCOG region are having to respond to continued growth in both population and economic activity. This growth provides opportunities, but also poses new challenges for cities and counties, including managing an increasing quantity of solid waste generated by residents and businesses. Unlike the eastern portion of the NCTCOG region, there is currently minimal infrastructure for dealing with solid waste management in the western portion of the region. The Western Area Solid Waste Workshop provided solid waste managers, public works directors, and elected officials with the following information regarding how much waste is generated in the region, and what is forecast over the next 30 years; how much disposal capacity is available in the region; what is required to secure new landfill capacity; what is required to secure transfer stations; and what regional opportunities and models are available for local governments to work together to address long-term capacity.
Attendees provided an in-depth look at different regionalization/collaboration options for the western area of the North Central Texas region.
Attendees provided an update on waste disposal trends and projected landfill capacity in the region, and discussed next steps for addressing the challenges posed by limited landfill capacity in the western area of the North Central Texas region.
Stakeholders discussed how to proceed in forming a committee that will focus on long-term disposal capacity for the western counties of the North Central Texas Region.
The Western Region Solid Waste Disposal Capacity Study Policy Advisory Group (PAG) held a workshop to formalize the PAG and discuss increasing organics management capacity, landfill capacity, and availability of convenience stations and recycling centers.
Western Region Solid Waste Capacity Study Final Reports
The following reports were completed in July 2021.
Final Needs Assessment Technical Report
Final Alternatives Analysis Technical Report
Final Summary of Alternatives