The definition of municipal solid waste (MSW) is found in the
Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 30, Chapter 330, Subchapter
A (General Information). MSW is defined as "solid waste resulting
from or incidental to municipal, community, commercial,
institutional, and recreational activities, including garbage,
rubbish, ashes, street cleanings, dead animals, abandoned
automobiles, and all other solid waste other than industrial solid
waste." Industrial solid waste is defined and regulated under 30
TAC Chapter 335.
The TCEQ is responsible for data assessment and planning for the
management of the state's solid wastes. To support these planning
activities, the TCEQ compiles and assesses data on the generation
and disposal of municipal solid waste in Texas. In particular,
managers of all permitted municipal solid waste landfills and other
waste management facilities submit an annual
report to the TCEQ detailing the amount and types of solid
waste managed each year and the remaining capacity of the
facility.
As part of its waste planning efforts, the TCEQ also administers
a Regional
Solid Waste Grants Program. The grants program supports
regional solid waste management planning by the state's 24 Regional
Councils of Governments (COGs), as well as a pass-through grant
program administered by the COGs to fund regional and local solid
waste management projects. The COGs also use these funds to develop
an
Inventory of Closed Municipal Solid Waste Landfills.
In addition, a number of resources have been developed to assist
local entities to plan for managing their solid wastes. Data and
information regarding municipal solid waste management and disposal
may be obtained from the TCEQ at 512/239-2334.
