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5 <br /> restricted to just MSW and bulky items like furniture as is typically the case with measuring residential <br /> waste. It is almost impossible to segregate the remodeling wastes from the bulky item tonnage. <br /> It does appear by most standards the both the urban and rural households are already at a very low <br /> waste disposal rate and this is borne out by having North Carolina's highest rate of waste reduction per <br /> capita at 59%for 2011-12 (statistics for FY 12-13 are not yet available). We note that rate includes all <br /> wastes, not just residential in the calculation compared to the base year of FY 1991-92. It is therefore <br /> not certain what type of waste reduction response this community would have to implementation of <br /> PAYT. <br /> It is staffs' opinion that providing roll carts, expanding to recycle additional materials, improving <br /> convenience centers, continuing a strong education and outreach program and providing a high level of <br /> convenient and integrated recycling services will be much more successful at reducing waste. Once <br /> these steps are fully implemented it may be time to consider such measures as PAYT. Our current <br /> program operates at such a high level, expectations of significant improvements (such as Waste Zero's <br /> referenced 44% reduction)through use of PAYT at this time seems unrealistic. <br /> Recommendation <br /> While it is clear from the many other communities that have implemented PAYT that it can be an <br /> effective means of incentivizing waste reduction it is not as obvious what impact PAYT might have in a <br /> community that is already reaching a very low residential disposal rate. At this point County Solid Waste <br /> Staff would not recommend considering PAYT for the convenience centers as the most effective <br /> strategy. <br /> The more pertinent questions for our community may be: <br /> 1. Is PAYT this the most important and effective waste reduction strategy to implement at this <br /> time? <br /> 2. What other actions or strategies may be available that may impact further the amount of waste <br /> disposed? <br /> Currently Orange County and the three Towns are in the midst of considering significant financing and <br /> organizational issues pertaining to recycling and solid waste management. (We note that although a <br /> significant portion of the City of Mebane lies within Orange County, Mebane is not included in this <br /> discussion because its waste and recycling are handled by the City of Mebane that is incorporated in <br /> Alamance County and all residents receive waste and recycling services via the City and City taxes). <br /> Following the soon expected resolution of these funding and organizational issues there will be a <br /> substantial number of recycling related activities that will likely require staff attention such as <br /> implementation of roll carts in both urban and rural programs, rebidding of the urban curbside <br /> collection contract and subsequent rerouting, negotiation of a new Interlocal Agreement for Solid <br /> Waste/Recycling, development and implementation of a new Solid Waste Tax District in the <br /> unincorporated area. It is difficult to imagine available time in which to seriously consider <br /> implementation of PAYT. In addition we are currently completing design and are ready to begin <br /> 5 <br />