All-Hazards Waste Management Planning Tool
On this page:
- About the Tool
- Federal Agency Resources
- Examples of State and Local Plans and Guidance
- Tools and References
- Training Resources
- Safety Resources
About the Tool
EPA developed the interactive tool, All-Hazards Waste Management Planning Tool, to assist emergency managers and planners for all communities (state, local, Tribal, and territorial), and large industrial and municipal facilities, such as airports and stadiums. The tool helps these parties create or update a comprehensive pre-incident plan for managing materials and wastes generated from manmade and natural disasters. The tool guides users through the process of developing a pre-incident plan and preparing for plan implementation post-incident. Additionally, this tool provides users with many resources that can be used as aids throughout the various aspects of the planning process.
This tool is intended to encourage communities to begin planning for incident response waste management activities that will comply with federal and other applicable regulations, prior to an incident occurring. Having a plan also provides opportunities for improved outcomes – e.g., pre-negotiated contracts with debris management companies can reduce costs and response time.
Please note that this tool is not a regulation and is not a rule, legally enforceable, nor does it confer legal rights or impose requirements upon any member of the public, states, or any other federal agency. Consult the applicable federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial requirements for more detailed information.
Federal Resources
The following guidance, training, manuals, or programs that support waste management planning have been developed by federal agencies:
- EPA - Pre-incident All-hazards Waste Management Plan Guidelines: Four-step Waste Management Planning Process (pdf) (686 KB, May 2019, EPA 530-F-19-006).
- EPA - Incident Waste Decision Support Tool Guidance and Information.
- EPA - Guidance about Planning for Natural Disaster Debris (pdf) (6 MB, April 2019, EPA-F-19-003).
- Federal Emergency Management Agency - Public Assistance Debris Monitoring Guide (pdf) (1.99 MB, March 2021).
- Federal Emergency Management Agency - Public Assistance: Category A – Debris Removal Including Private Property Debris (pdf) (145 KB, May 2023).
Examples of State and Local Plans and Guidance
The following states have established waste management plans and guidance for a range of hazards. EPA does not endorse these plans.
State Examples
- Florida Disaster Debris Removal Toolkit.
- Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality “Comprehensive Plan for Disaster Clean-up and Debris Management” (May 2018).
- Massachusetts Managing Disaster Debris.
- New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection “Disaster Debris Management Planning Tool Kit for New Jersey Municipalities” (November 2015).
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation:
- Ohio Debris Management.
Local Examples
- The City of Euless, Texas Disaster Debris Management Plan (2021)(pdf)(6.2 MB).
- Montgomery County, Maryland Debris Management Plan (2021)(pdf)(16.8 MB).
- Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County, Florida Debris Management Plan (2024)(pdf)(8.1 MB).
- Metro Disaster Debris Management Plan (2022) (Portland, Oregon regional plan).
Tools and References
- EPA - Incident Waste Decision Support Tool.
- EPA - Dealing with Debris and Damaged Buildings.
- FEMA - Hazus Damage and Loss Estimation Tool.
Training Courses
There are numerous training courses focused on debris management sponsored by FEMA and offered locally through state emergency management offices:
- FEMA - Emergency Management Institute.
- IS-632 - Intro to Debris Operations in FEMA's Public Assistance Program 40.
Safety Resources
Resources for safety considerations during initial assessment, sampling, removal, staging, transportation, and recovery/disposal operations: