Regional Agency Integrated Waste Management Plan (RAIWMP)

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A Regional Agency Integrated Waste Management Plan (RAIWMP) is a mandatory planning framework required by California law under the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 (AB 939), The plan outlines how a county and its cities will manage solid waste, minimize environmental impact, meet state mandated waste diversion goals, and maintain a minimum of 15 years of regional landfill disposal capacity.

Core Elements

California regulations mandate that a regional agency plan compile specific elements from each of its internal cities and unincorporated jurisdictions. A RAIWMP should contain:

Regional Agency Integrated Waste Management Summary Plan: Unifies all local elements into a single roadmap detailing administrative oversight, funding mechanisms, and shared regional strategies.

Regional Agency Siting Element: Evaluates existing landfill capacity and maps out potential alternative facilities if current space falls short of the 15-year requirement.

Non-disposal Facility Element (NDFE): Identifies local transfer stations, materials recovery facilities (MRFs), and composting sites requiring solid waste permits.

Source Reduction and Recycling Element (SRRE): Analyzes the local waste stream to determine funding and design programs for waste prevention, recycling, and composting.

Household Hazardous Waste Element (HHWE): Establishes safe collection, infrastructure, and treatment programs for toxic household material.

Five-Year Review Requirments

Regional agencies are required to evaluate their RAIWMP every five years and submit a detailed checklist or Five-Year Review Report to The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). Minor updates to the core elements may also be completed annually through the Electronic Annual Report. The review evaluates:

Changes in demographics
Shifts in annual waste quantities
Adjustments to state and local funding sources
Changes in regional administrative responsibilities
Current program implementation status
Remaining permitted regional landfill capacity
Fluctuations in global markets for recyclable materials
Local program implementation schedules

State Enforcement and Oversight

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) oversees and assists in the development and implementation of the RAIWMP. Under the California Public Resources Code, jurisdictions that fail to maintain or update an adequate RAIWMP face state-issued Notices of Deficiency or formal enforcement actions. Local plans must adapt dynamically to evolving regulations, most recently including organics recycling mandates like SB 1383.

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