How to Prepare a Waste Management Plan (WMP)

The following information pertains to construction and demolition projects in the unincorporated section of San Mateo County.

When is a Waste Management Plan Required?

A Waste Management Plan (WMP) is required if your project consists of one or more of the following:

  1. Demolition work only, where the cost of the work exceeds $5,000 as determined by the Building Official
  2. The renovation, remodel or addition to an existing structure or the construction of a new structure where the cost of the work exceeds $250,000 as determined by the Building Official
  3. Any new structure that is equal to or greater than 2,000 square feet

construction and demolition

Is there a fee?

Yes. As of April 26th, 2010, there will be a $95 administrative fee collected at the Planning and Building Department at permit issuance.

What is the purpose of the Waste Management Plan?

A WMP is necessary to demonstrate compliance with County Ordinance 04099 that requires covered projects to salvage, reuse or recycle 100% of inert solids (asphalt, brick, concrete, dirt, fines, rock, sand, soil, and stone) and at least 50% of the remaining construction and demolition debris generated by the project. This ordinance was adopted to assist the County in meeting the mandated state recycling requirement of 50% of all waste generated.

Can I prepare the Waste Management Plan myself?

Yes.

A Waste Management Plan form will be given to you when you apply for a permit. You will need to get part I and part II reviewed and signed by the RecycleWorks staff at 555 County Center, 5th Floor before submitting it to the Development Review Center.

If you have questions or need assistance, you may contact San Mateo County RecycleWorks at 1-888-442-2666.

What is included in the Waste Management Plan?

Preparing the WMP consists of identifying the types of debris that will be generated by the project and identifying how all waste streams will be handled. To finalize the WMP, all receipts from reuse, recycling and disposal activities must be submitted.

Required:

  • 100% of inert solids (asphalt, brick, concrete, dirt, fines, rock, sand, soil, and stone) must be diverted from disposal.
  • 50% of all other non-inert materials (such as wood, metal, cardboard, green waste, gypsum, fixtures, etc) must be diverted from disposal.

The Waste Management Plan includes the following:

SECTION ONE: Permit Application

  1. Salvage and Deconstruction: Identify the items you anticipate salvaging and the salvage company that will be used.
  2. Inert Solids: The ordinance requires salvaging, reusing or recycling 100% of inert solids. Identify inert solids that will be generated and identify how these will be diverted from disposal.
  3. Separation On-Site: In addition to 100% diversion of inert solids, 50% of non-inert materials must be diverted. Non-inert materials can be separated on-site for recycling and will count towards the 50% diversion requirement. Identify materials that will be separated on-site for recycling companies.
  4. Mixed Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris: If non-inert materials are not separated on-site for recycling, or if the materials separated for recycling are not at least 50% of the total mixed debris generated, then mixed C&D must be taken to a mixed C&D sorting facility that will separate and recycle for you. Indicate the mixed C&D sorting facilities you intend to use.
  5. Disposal: Indicate what percentage of all debris generated will be disposed, what materials you expect to dispose of, and what facility(ies) you will use.
  6. Hauling of debris: Indicate how you intend to transport debris.

SECTION TWO: Final Project Approval

Section Two requires documentation of debris handling during your project and submittal of receipts, or equivalent documentation, demonstrating that you have diverted 100% of inert solids and 50% of the remaining construction and demolition debris to comply with the County's ordinance. The form has a place for you to keep track of the loads of debris from the project by noting each load and the quantity of the load in either tons or yards. Upon completion of the project, you have 30 days in which to submit Section Two with the required receipts, or equivalent documentation, and to sign an attestation that you have complied with the ordinance. Your project will not be finalized by the Building Inspection Section until this information has been submitted, reviewed and approved.

What recycling facilities should I use? Who do I call for assistance?

Mixed construction loads must be taken to one of the companies listed in the Mixed Construction & Demolition Guide. This guide includes a list of debris box companies that haul mixed C&D for recycling. Sorted recyclables can be taken to any of the recycling facilities in the Bay Area. To find out where to take different materials, check the RecycleWorks Construction & Demolition Guide. Or you can search one category at a time in the Recycling Database.The County RecycleWorks hotline is available to answer your questions as well: 1-888-442-2666.

Who reviews the Waste Management Plan?

Section One of your WMP should accompany your application for a permit. Section Two of your WMP should accompany your request for Final Project Approval. Both will need to be reviewed and signed off by RecycleWorks staff prior to submittal for final approval to the Development Review Center.

What are the Consequences of Non-compliance?

The ordinance and the WMP have been developed to make the reporting easy and to offer many options for compliance. Assistance with questions is easily available at the County RecycleWorks hotline: 1-888-442-2666 or by email to info@RecycleWorks.org

If your project is required to comply with the ordinance and you fail to turn in copies of receipts or equivalent documentation as requested, submit an inaccurate or incomplete final WMP, or submit a WMP that does not show compliance with the ordinance, a stop order may be issued on the job, your final approval may be delayed, you may be requested to provide additional information, and in some cases, may be fined or jailed.

Summary of the Process:

Section One of the WMP is prepared in advance of your project with your best estimates of debris that will be generated and how it will be reused, recycled or disposed in compliance with the County's ordinance. Section One of your WMP is submitted to RecycleWorks and must be approved prior to issuance of your permit. A copy of your approved WMP will be given to you with your permit and other papers. There may be additional recommendations that accompany the approval and there may be a request for receipts to be submitted during the project.

Section Two is completed during (or at completion) of your project detailing how debris was actually handled. Section Two along with the required receipts, or equivalent documentation, is submitted to the RecycleWorks staff and must be approved prior to issuance of your Final Project Approval.