1. 1. The protection of the health, safety, and welfare of Iowans and the protection of the environment require the safe and sanitary disposal of solid wastes. An effective and efficient solid waste disposal program protects the environment and the public, and provides the most practical and beneficial use of the material and energy values of solid waste. While recognizing the continuing necessity for the existence of landfills, alternative methods of managing solid waste and a reduction in the reliance upon land disposal of solid waste are encouraged. In the promotion of these goals, the following waste management hierarchy in descending order of preference, is established as the solid waste management policy of the state:

   1. a. Volume reduction at the source.
   2. b. Recycling and reuse.
   3. c. Waste conversion technologies.
   4. d. Combustion with energy recovery.
   5. e. Other approved techniques of solid waste management including but not limited to combustion for waste disposal and disposal in sanitary landfills.

2. 2. In the implementation of the solid waste management policy, the state shall:

   1. a. Establish and maintain a cooperative state and local program of project planning, and technical and financial assistance to encourage comprehensive solid waste management.
   2. b. Utilize the capabilities of private enterprise as well as the services of public agencies to accomplish the desired objectives of an effective solid waste management program.

87 Acts, ch 225, §405; 94 Acts, ch 1177, §1; 2006 Acts, ch 1063, §1; 2015 Acts, ch 112, §2

Referred to in §455B.302, 455B.304, 455B.311, 455D.3, 455D.5