Survey invites County Residents to Shape Solid Waste Policy

By Stan Matthews
County Communications Program Manager

During the month of July, San Juan County residents will have the opportunity to participate in a survey that will help guide the development of the County’s updated solid waste management plan. That plan will define the type and quality of services the County’s solid waste program develops and offers in the future.

The survey process will follow two tracks:  First, a paper form will be mailed to 4000 household addresses selected randomly and in proportion to the population of each island. People selected to participate in the mailed survey will be able to fill out and return the paper survey or use an electronic form on-line.  The mailed survey will produce responses from a broad, statistically valid sample of county residents.

Responses to an online survey, available to all who wish to participate, will be tallied and analyzed separately. Both surveys will be managed by an independent pollster to insure the questions are formulated without bias and individual responses are fairly and confidentially analyzed.

The survey will address garbage collection and transfer, waste reduction strategies, techniques of recycling, levels of local control and funding.

“We currently have an expensive solid waste system that does not satisfy residents’ expectations nor, in some instances, the requirements of the State Ecology Department,” Solid Waste Program Manager Steve Alexander said. “While we are required to meet minimum state requirements, we also need to know what the people who live here need and want so that we can provide a service they are willing to pay for.”

Survey forms will be mailed to the randomly selected recipients before July 20, to be returned between July 21 and midnight, August 2.

Households that do not receive a survey questionnaire in the mail will be able to link to the public survey through the County website at https://sanjuanco.com/ between July 23 and August 2.

Survey results will be presented to the County Council in August or early September.