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� - - <br /> � 1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: December 6, 2010 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 7-G <br /> SUBJECT: Adoption of Three-Year Update of County Solid Waste Mana ement Plan <br /> DEPARTMENT: Solid Waste Management PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Resolution Adopting Plan <br /> Draft Solid Waste Management Plan Gayle �Ison, 968-2885 <br /> (Under Separate Cover) Blair Pollock, 968-2885 <br /> PURPOSE: To present the draft Three-Year Update of the Solid Waste Management Plan to <br /> the Board for consideration and approval by resolution so that the Plan can be submitted to the <br /> State prior to January 1, 2011. <br /> BACKGROUND: The Plan provides the County and the municipalities with a description of <br /> developments in solid waste over the past three years (since the previous submittal) and <br /> defines some of the issues facing the County and municipalities over the coming years. This <br /> update was due in June 2009, making it 18 months overdue. Submitting it will ensure the <br /> County's eligibility for grant funds. It also contains a specific plan component for recycling <br /> electronics that is required for the County to be eligible for funds from the newly enacted <br /> electronics recycling law. Without a plan in place, the County would not be eligible for those <br /> funds. <br /> Historically, since the State solid waste planning requirement was enacted in 1994, the Towns <br /> and Orange County have acted in concert, all approving the same plan and subsequent <br /> updates and all affirming and then re-affirming a collective commitment to the 61% waste <br /> reduction goal. This three-year update is no different in those respects. The Towns of <br /> Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Hillsborough have already adopted resolutions. Once this Plan is <br /> submitted, work will commence on the next update due in 2012. <br /> In the past three years, solid waste issues have received increasing scrutiny due to the transfer <br /> station siting process, focus on the reduced service hours available at the convenience centers <br /> as a consequence of budget cuts, continued requests for additional waste reduction services, <br /> and the ever impending closure of the municipal solid waste landfill. Healthy debate, discussion <br /> with public involvement and analysis of these and related issues are continuing. The planning <br /> document details some of these issues and reflects discussions with regard to redesigning <br /> convenience centers, further recycling program improvements and meeting the 61% waste <br />