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4 <br /> Compatibility with automated collection systems: For some PAYT methodologies it is necessary to <br /> actually verify that the special prepaid bag or tag is present during the act of collection. It becomes a <br /> special challenge when the collection is automated where the collector does not actually touch the <br /> waste container, or when the bags are in a roll cart and can't be seen. This may reduce the efficiencies <br /> gained through use of automated operations or roll carts. <br /> Waste Zero <br /> Over the past 3-4 years, a company called Waste Zero has approached various County and Town solid <br /> waste and management staff as well as County elected officials offering to establish a 'turn-key', no cost <br /> 'trash metering system—a PAYT using bags to further incentivize residential trash reduction.The firm <br /> has established or enhanced, according to its web site, PAYT systems in many communities, primarily <br /> smaller ones in the northeast. As with many PAYT programs there has been measurable success in <br /> reducing waste following implementation of PAYT. <br /> A review of the program performance data shown on the Waste Zero web site and discussions with their <br /> staff have indicated their use of a benchmark of 500 pounds of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposed <br /> per person annually as a goal for a lowered disposal rate.They cited use of that threshold as a state goal <br /> for Massachusetts where many of their programs are implemented. The company makes its money <br /> primarily from sharing savings with municipalities from the avoided costs of collection and disposal as <br /> well as sales of their unique garbage bags that are supplied as part of the program so they have an <br /> obvious interest in reducing each community's waste to at least that level. While the Waste Zero <br /> program is presented as "no cost", it could reduce the tip fee savings the local government obtains from <br /> reduced waste disposal. Finally, from previous staff evaluations of PAYT,your solid waste staff is fully <br /> capable of implementing a PAYT system should the Board of Commissioners choose to pursue it. <br /> Analysis of residential waste disposal from the Towns of Chapel Hill and Hillsborough as well as an <br /> estimate of the amount per household disposed at Orange County Solid Waste Convenience Centers <br /> shows that this goal of 500 pounds of MSW has already been met. Over the past three years, the <br /> average waste disposed per household was 1205 pounds according to the Towns' annual solid waste <br /> report data. Average household size is 2.4 persons, so per person disposal is 502 pounds. <br /> The per household measurement is less precise at the solid waste convenience centers because it is <br /> more difficult to know the exact number of unique users. However staff estimates that between 14,000 <br /> and 16,500 households (from primarily unincorporated areas but also including incorporated area <br /> residents) bring residential waste to the five centers each year. Given that,the three year average per <br /> household using the centers for waste disposal is estimated at between 800 and 1,000 pounds of MSW <br /> per year and another 350 to 400 pounds of bulky items and home remodeling waste for disposal at the <br /> convenience centers. Again, given the US Census based statistics of 2.4 persons per household in Orange <br /> County in 2010, the average per person disposal rate for MSW alone is well below 500 and adding a pro- <br /> rated share of the bulky and remodeling wastes generally still keeps waste per person around the 500 <br /> pounds mark. Note that Orange County is unusual in accepting construction and demolition materials at <br /> convenience centers and that may skew waste per household higher than if measurement were <br /> 4 <br />