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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 6, 2008 Action Agenda Item No. ~] - q_ SUBJECT• Solid Waste Planning Work Group - Recyclables Processing Recommendation DEPARTMENT: Solid Waste Management PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Memorandum From Gayle Wilson Gayle Wilson, 968-2885 PURPOSE: To present a recomrneridation by the Solid Waste Planning Work Group from its November 28, 2007 meeting regarding recyclables processing. BACKGROUND: The Orange County Solid Waste Planning Work Group (SWPWG) was created by the Board of Commissioners in 2005 and consists of elected ofFcials and solid waste staff from each of the four jurisdictions, UNC solid waste staff and the members of the Solid Waste Advisory Board. The attached report outlines a recommendation of the. Solid Waste Planning Work Group from its November 2007 meeting and addresses the recyclable materials processing component of the overall Work Group analysis. The Work Group has concluded that a decision on a full service, in-county Materials Recycling Facility (MRF). is not' necessary at this time and that alternative processing measures should be taken over.the next 3-5 years. Implementing Phase I of the consultant's recommendation immediately and Phase II in 2-3 years will adequately manage current and anticipated collected materials. Essentially, the recommendation is to make marginal efficiency improvements in existing processing facilities, process less material on-site, and transfer collected materials to out-of-county merchant MRF's, while focusing staff time and efforts on improving and expanding collection programs/services. The State of North Carolina requires that each local government's comprehensive ten-year solid waste management plan be updated every three years. The current update was due June 30, 2006. The Work Group is working on a plan update that is to be comprehensive and integrated, focusing not only 'on waste reduction and recycling, but also on solid waste collection and final disposal, waste reduction education, regulations, litter prevention, financing and other aspects of solid waste management. The objective is to develop and integrate the plan elements that the Work Group feels need to be revised, present them to the various governing boards and the public, get feedback, finalize the plan and present it to the Board of Orange County Commissioners for final submittal to the State for approval.