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INFORMATION ITEM <br />Memorandum <br />To: Frank Clifton, County Manager <br />From: Gayle Wilson, Solid Waste Director <br />Subject: Mattress Recycling Pilot <br />Date: March 7, 2013 <br />Beginning February 18 Orange County initiated a short -term (60 -day) pilot mattress recycling project <br />running until we collect and transport about 100 dry mattresses and box springs to Mattress Go Round <br />(MGR), a mattress recycler in Greensboro that is now about two years old and expanding to this <br />area. Once the municipal solid waste landfill closes mattresses will become more difficult to manage <br />locally. If the pilot is successful, we will attempt to continue separate mattress collection for recycling <br />after landfill closure so that we can minimize the quantity of mattresses to be delivered to the City of <br />Durham Waste Transfer Station. For the remainder of this Fiscal Year, there will be no change in fees for <br />mattresses as this is just a pilot. Usual per ton or per load charges will continue to apply. If the pilot <br />proves successful a new fee structure may be proposed as part of the upcoming budget process. Our <br />goal is to achieve full cost recovery for mattress recycling or disposal once there is no more local burial <br />option. <br />Staff has communicated with the Towns asking for their cooperation in the pilot program by delivering <br />reasonably clean and dry mattresses to our pilot program recycling area. The recycling area will be at <br />the north side of the landfill where we have established a designated collection area under the metal <br />canopy adjoining the scrap metal and white goods area to the west. In order for the mattresses to be <br />recycled the mattresses and box springs must be delivered in 'reasonable' condition i.e. not wet, <br />shredded, totally soiled or badly damaged for this program. <br />Those mattresses that are not appropriate for recycling due to their condition will still be landfilled. <br />Once the local landfill closes, mattresses and box springs unable to be recycled will be received and <br />prepared for hauling to the City of Durham Waste Transfer Station for disposal. <br />