Pre-Incident Material and Waste Management Planning

Debris management activities are a critical part of a disaster’s response and recovery. Planning for these activities helps communities become more resilient to all disasters.

The primary goal of pre-incident debris management planning is to prepare a community to efficiently and effectively manage materials and wastes generated by any disaster for which the community is at risk. These disasters may include different types of natural disasters, acts of terrorism involving chemical, biological, and radiological agents, and human and animal disease outbreaks.

In addition to planning for debris management activities during a disaster, planning should incorporate mitigation activities. Communities can follow EPA’s comprehensive Pre-Incident All-Hazards Four Step Waste Management Planning Process (pdf)(687 KB) or, if resources and time are limited, focus on one or more pre-incident planning activities at a time. Planning is not an all-or-nothing effort, and it does not have to be completed by one person at one time.

  • Planning Activities

    three people sitting at a table with note pads and tablets

    Tackle debris management planning for materials and wastes before a disaster occurs, even with limited time and resources.  

    Plan for debris management

  • Planning Considerations

    truck driving down a street lined with disaster debris

    Learn about issues and considerations that affect material and waste management decision making during a disaster.

    Review the considerations

  • Material and Waste Management Options

    large machine mulching wood

    Discover various treatment and disposal options available for managing materials and wastes from a disaster.

    Assess different options

Pre-Incident Planning is Not a Wasted Effort

Benefits of pre-incident planning include:

  • Protecting public health through safe debris management.
  • Saving valuable time and resources during a disaster.
  • Conserving limited landfill disposal capacity.
  • Developing a circular economy to safely manage and use materials locally.
  • Allowing more efficient and effective debris management decision-making during a disaster.
  • Encouraging interested parties (e.g., state, local, tribal, and territorial governments; owners of private storage, treatment, and disposal facilities; community organizations; residents) to work together before a disaster occurs.
  • Boosting the community’s resiliency, resulting in a quicker and less costly recovery to its pre-incident state.
  • Minimally detracting from, or otherwise impacting, the broader response and recovery efforts due to the efficient implementation of debris management activities.

Related Resources

Managing Materials and Wastes for Homeland Security Incidents

Contact Us About Managing Materials and Wastes for Homeland Security Incidents
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Last updated on May 8, 2025