Douglas and Jefferson counties are updating their joint Solid Waste Management Plan, which outlines how trash, recycling, organics and other materials are managed in both urban and rural areas.

The revised plan will evaluate current systems and facilities, compare existing programs with potential alternatives, identify strategies to improve efficiency and support long-term environmental sustainability.

Douglas County invites residents of Baldwin City, Eudora, Lecompton and rural areas to participate in a Community Solid Waste Survey to help identify community needs and set priorities for the plan. The City of Lawrence will conduct a separate survey in early 2026, and those results will be incorporated into the joint plan.

“We are working together to update this plan, which is required by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment,” Douglas County Sustainability Manager Kim Criner Ritchie said. “We encourage residents to take the survey to help us better understand the needs of our communities.”

The survey is available at https://etci.us/4o1atZX through Saturday, Jan. 3.

Note: The story was updated because the deadline has been extended from Dec. 24 to Jan. 3.