The Hon. Claudia Balducci

King County Councilmember

July 24, 2025

Dear Councilmember Balducci,

With the County Executive election fast approaching, a number of topics that need attention have been discussed: the budget, homelessness, Trump’s impacts on our state’s economy, and others. But one important issue that needs attention yet hasn’t been discussed is the problem of solid waste disposal.

Cedar Hills Landfill is near capacity. It is a menace to public health and the environment. And, when the externalities of operating a landfill are included, either a local landfill or export to a landfill somewhere else, it is the most expensive means of disposing of our trash. If allowed to continue to operate based on the current regime, the already excessive costs will continue to go up, the environment will become more polluted, and public health will be more endangered.

There is a better way. Many countries in Europe have instituted Integrated Waste Management Systems (IWMS). In doing so, they have increased recycling rates to over 60%, reduced environmental impacts, such as methane emissions by millions of tons, and saved their citizens billions of Euros. There is no reason why such a program can’t be put in place here, except for the unwarranted refusal of the Solid Waste Division to consider doing so.

The Institute for Energy and Resource Management (IeRM) is a non-profit, 501c3 organization with an experienced team of international experts that have actually developed and successfully manage public and open IWMSs. Our team has closely shadowed King County Solid Waste for nearly three decades and identified major faults and shortcomings.  A number of King County Cities approached us as they are growing frustrated with King County Solid Waste.  In response we have produced the following video to expose how the SWD has denied the shortcomings of landfilling, and how an IWMS is a much better solution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiotYo6RG5w.

In order to reduce escalation of the problem we urge you to include solid waste management in your list of serious problems to be solved in the next few years. Please let us know if you have questions and we look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Philipp Schmidt-Pathmann

President & CEO