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Our survey asked why. Most respondents (about 80%) said it was easier to take their <br /> recyclables to the convenience centers when they took their trash. Others mentioned service <br /> issues, mostly access to their home and frequency of service. <br /> You may want to verify with the county, but we're guessing that thousands of families <br /> still opt out of rural curbside recycling. Since our waste reduction rates are at an all time high, <br /> there is no evidence that "opting out" has adversely impacted recycling rates in any way. <br /> There is an issue of fees. According to UNC's School of Government, the county is <br /> legally required to allow households to "opt out" of paying the curbside collection fee of$38 a <br /> year. We can't say how many people would opt out of the fee or how that impacts the <br /> economics of the program. In the interests of transparency, we hope you'll explore those <br /> economics further. <br /> We realize that the county is facing difficult economic issues with all aspects of trash <br /> and recycling. One thing is certain, rural residents care about recycling; and even though <br /> thousands already opt out of rural curbside recycling program, they recycle heavily and <br /> contribution to county's waste reduction results. <br /> Thank you. <br /> Rob Taylor introduced himself as a resident of unincorporated Orange County and a <br /> former Orange County Recycling Programs Manager (2005-2010). He referenced the seven <br /> municipalities in NC who assess a fee directly to residents for solid waste or recycling services; <br /> and he offered to provide this list if it would help convince the municipalities to think about that <br /> option. He mentioned that the Orange County Voice statement regarding the amount of <br /> material coming from rural areas. He said that the tonnage also includes the urban drop off <br /> sites as well, which serve urban businesses. He said that a franchise system where <br /> governments must engage directly with a private service provider is not the right solution for <br /> Orange County. He said these systems have substantially lower participation than the current <br /> systems and this would increase the amount of waste rather than optimizing recovery. <br /> He said that that the integration of the current systems increases efficiency, and this will be <br /> disrupted if the system is taken apart with the franchise plan. He noted that the rural route <br /> also serves parks, fire departments, businesses and other county facilities. He said that other <br /> municipalities have expressed desire to participate and the Board needs to find a way to make <br /> that work. He said that funding the recycling system out of reserves will undermine public <br /> recycling on funding the next fiscal year. This is because the money was saved for equipment. <br /> He said that the franchise should be rejected and a cooperative system put in place, which <br /> keeps everyone together. <br /> Amy Brooks represents her company, Brooks Contractor, with a hauling and <br /> composting facility in Chatham County and her business is contracted by Orange County Solid <br /> Waste to collect from 32 locations in the County. She said the venture into waste collection <br /> started with the cooperation of the county and serves environmentally minded residents. She <br /> feels that the only reason this program is on the chopping block is because it is so successful. <br /> She said that there is an environmental mess to clean up and a public to educate. She said <br /> that Orange County has been a light to lead the way and the surrounding communities are <br /> making moves toward implementing programs that follow the example. She said that 1,600 <br /> tons of waste has been collected and composted by her company in Orange County this fiscal <br /> year. She said that 4,000 cubic yards of compost and compost blends were also shipped out <br /> to local farms, community gardens, and landscape communities. She urged the Board not to <br /> let this program die. <br /> Anagha Kalvade introduced herself as a volunteer and coach for the Friends Recycling <br /> Team. She said that the team has been active and in the news lately. She noted that the <br />