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20 <br /> Attachment C <br /> Electronics Recycling Program <br /> The Department of Solid Waste Management requests approval of the new Recycling <br /> Materials Handler (RMH) (grade 62, proposed salary $26,221 plus benefits) position in <br /> order to implement a proposed electronics recycling program to divert computers, <br /> monitors, and related equipment from disposal in the Orange County Landfill. It is <br /> anticipated that the Proposed RMH will dedicate 40% of his/her time as well as 40% of <br /> the cost of a truck to the electronics program for collecting materials. In addition, there <br /> are the cost of a building, supplies, shipping, and a contract for a recycling/salvage/reuse <br /> market. The remaining 60% of the program/staff time is projected to be devoted to dry <br /> cell battery collection and in-house government office collections. <br /> The first year cost for the electronics recycling program is projected at $112,119 <br /> including the 40% share of the proposed employee for 75% of the year, a truck, shipping, <br /> recycling, and processing building. The proportional cost in year one, of the proposed <br /> employee salary plus benefits associated with the electronics recycling program is <br /> $11,124. Uniforms and PPE are $170 additional. <br /> Electronics products such as computers, computer monitors, and televisions account for a <br /> significant amount of the heavy metals (in particular lead, as well as some mercury and <br /> cadmium) being disposed of in the Orange County Landfill. Communities across the <br /> country have begun to acknowledge the problems these items pose in the waste stream, <br /> and have taken measures to manage this threat. Both California and Massachusetts have <br /> banned all landfilling or incineration of computer monitors. Wake County has prohibited <br /> landfilling of monitors that are not residentially generated as they are deemed hazardous <br /> wastes; computer monitors and color televisions do not pass the required Federal test for <br /> depositing in a solid waste landfill or incinerator. Residential waste is exempt from <br /> these regulations but still contributes to the toxicity load. <br /> The Town of Cary began a no-fee recycling program offering residential curbside <br /> collection of computers in November of 2000. Cary reports that their program collected <br /> just under 10 tons of computers during FY2000-2001. Wake County held a one-day <br /> public collection event for computers last winter, and began a permanent drop-off <br /> collection program for computers and computer related electronics on September 3, 2001. <br /> For non-residential generators, Wake County is charging $5 per monitor and $5 per <br /> `load' of computer-related equipment that is not monitors. There is no charge for <br /> residential computers. As these programs have received publicity, there has been <br /> significant citizen demand for recycling options in Orange County. <br /> Approval of the RMH position is critical to the creation of an electronics recycling <br /> program in Orange County. This program has the potential to reduce both volume and <br /> toxicity of waste in the Orange County Landfill. <br /> Significant issues to consider include: <br /> What materials will the program accept? <br /> What are the markets for the accepted materials? <br /> Where and how will the materials be accepted? <br /> 9 <br />