Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
5 <br /> Solid Waste Plan Framework for Orange County, North Carolina <br /> The waste reduction plan framework for mixed solid waste includes: <br /> Waste prevention: [The first three items below can be considered by the Landfill Owners <br /> Group. The last two -- mandatory recycling and volume-based solid waste costs - could be <br /> enacted by the individual local governments only.] <br /> 1. Public education: increases in the amount, type and targeted audiences. <br /> 2. Differential landfill fees: We have these in place now for yard waste, clean wood <br /> waste and corrugated cardboard. Higher or lower fees could be applied to other materials to <br /> encourage their diversion from the landfill in favor of some type of separation. <br /> 3. Non-economic incentives : This includes all the other strategies for influencing waste <br /> reduction such as the solid waste plans now required for new, non-residential construction in <br /> Chapel Hill. <br /> 4. Mandatory recycling, Also known as collection bans individual governments could <br /> apply a variety of bans in each sector-- residential, commercial or apartments. Some <br /> enforcement would be necessary for success. <br /> 5. Volume-based fees: Also known as pay-per-throw, treats solid waste as a utility. <br /> Under this approach, local governments would set up a system of user fees under which residents <br /> and businesses would pay for varying amounts of garbage collected. A proper fee structure with <br /> good enforcement has proven to reduce waste in many other communities. <br /> Collection: <br /> The Owners Group has recommended weekly universal recycling collection in incorporated areas <br /> for residential, commercial and apartments and also for commercial recycling in unincorporated <br /> areas. For the unincorporated areas, the Owners Group recommends continuation of biweekly <br /> curbside recycling in the relatively densely settled subdivisions, combined with the system of <br /> sanitation sites such as now exist for solid waste and recycling collection. Currently, there is no <br /> universal commercial recycling. That would be the biggest single new collection expense; it <br /> would also have the greatest potential for increasing recycling. <br /> Solid waste collection and management would continue to be under local government control. It <br /> is possible that large increases in recycling may reduce the need for solid waste collection so the <br /> local governments may save on collection costs as the rate of waste generation goes down. <br /> Processing: <br /> If the amount and types of recyclables is increased significantly to reach the overall 61-7c <br /> reduction goal by 2006, then Orange County would need a processing facility to sort out the <br />