Orange County NC Website
6 <br /> • Financial savings from waste reduction may be cancelled <br /> out for residents by the non-deductibility of garbage <br /> fees from federal taxes where local property taxes are <br /> deductible. <br /> • Can be perceived as an additional tax, especially if <br /> taxes are not reduced when unit-based pricing is <br /> implemented. <br /> Collection Bans (Mandatory Recycling) With Differential Landfill <br /> Fees <br /> An alternative to unit-based pricing fees as a primary waste prevention <br /> strategy is collection bans (mandatory recycling) . These bans could be <br /> applied to a variety of materials in a variety of sectors. The bans <br /> could be most effective if coupled with differential fees at the <br /> landfill. Thus, those haulers who choose not to enforce collection bans <br /> would still be subject to penalties if their loads are in violation of <br /> landfill regulations. • This combination of collection bans and <br /> differential landfill fees is now in place in Orange County for <br /> commercially generated, recyclable corrugated cardboard and all yard <br /> waste. <br /> Reported Waste Diversion <br /> Compared with unit-based pricing fees, fewer communities that we are <br /> aware of, have instituted widespread collection bans. Locally, Alamance <br /> County reports a 34% decline in waste generation with their collection <br /> ban/differential landfill fee system. The system was instituted at the <br /> same time as recycling programs. Mitchell County has instituted <br /> collection bans at sanitation sites. They report a 40% waste reduction <br /> at those sites. Islip New York reports a 95% recycling bin set out rate <br /> and diversion of 48 pounds of recyclable containers and paper per <br /> household per month. That recycling rate is double our local <br /> residential recycling rate. <br /> Our anecdotal research with other communities who have used these bans <br /> for longer periods seems to show that if enforcement or education <br /> efforts are reduced, compliance with the bans drops. When enforcement is <br /> stepped up, compliance increases. <br /> Advantages of Collection Bans <br /> • Easy to implement and understand. <br /> • Can be enforced at the point of disposal. <br /> • Applies equally to all generators. <br />