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