Comprehensive Planning

Iowa cities and counties are to develop a comprehensive solid waste reduction program in collaboration with landfills and other waste facilities that serve their area. Programs and strategies are to be detailed in a comprehensive plan. Cities and counties may develop plans individually or jointly and are referred to as planning areas.

Every five years each planning area is to engage stakeholders and submit a plan update for DNR approval. Plans are to evaluate current waste management practices and efforts to meet waste reduction goals.

As an alternative to the Solid Waste Comprehensive Plan program, designated solid waste planning areas or service areas may voluntarily participate in the Iowa Solid Waste Environmental Management System (EMS) program.

A Solid Waste Comprehensive Plan or EMS Annual Report must be approved for solid waste facilities serving the planning area to obtain permit renewals.

DNR assistance is available to cities and counties regarding their waste management and waste reduction goals. 

• Iowa Code Chapter 455B Jurisdiction of Department of Natural Resources
• Iowa Code Chapter 455D Waste Volume Reduction and Recycling
• Iowa Administrative Rule Chapter 567-101 Solid Waste Comprehensive Planning Requirements

DNR Contact
Laurie Rasmus
515-474-4921
Laurie.Rasmus@dnr.iowa.gov

Plan Update Assistance

• Plan Update Form for Round 9 (542-0452)
• Plan Update Form for Round 9 (542-0452)
• City/County Optional Evaluation and Goal Setting Survey Instructions
• City/County Optional Survey Letter
• City/County Optional Survey

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Ninth Round Due Date Schedule
• Planning Area Descriptions
• Planning Area Contacts
  • Select "Comprehensive Planning Contacts List" from the Report menu
• Retaining Autonomy Guidance
• Planning Area Change Guidance - Information for municipal solid waste sanitary disposal projects, cities or counties considering changing the solid waste planning area.

Other Resources:

• Financial and Business Assistance Section
• Iowa's Recycling Requirements

Waste destined for disposal in an Iowa municipal solid waste landfill is to be received by a permitted facility within the planning area in which it was generated. Permitted facilities are not to accept Iowa-generated waste from outside their own planning area. Exceptions to waste flow control may be approved when the facility serving the area where the waste was generated releases the waste and arranges for its acceptance at a facility in another Iowa planning area.

A fee is collected for each ton of municipal solid waste that is landfilled in Iowa. The amount is based on the calculated diversion rate for the planning area as outlined in Iowa Administrative Rule Chapter 567-101.7. A portion of the fees are to be locally retained for comprehensive planning, plan implementation and environmental protection activities.

Waste Flow & Fee Information Links:

Fees

• Tonnage Fee Distribution Fact Sheet
• Retained Fee Uses
• Request form to Exempt Contaminated Soil from Goal Progress
• Request form to Exempt Exceptional Event Waste from Goal Progress and/or Fees

Waste Flow Topics

• Designated Destinations for Waste
• Waste Flow Resources
• Waste Flow Exceptions
• Out of Planning Area Waste Flow Tracking Form
• Waste Flow Guidance