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8 <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said if it would only cost $10,000 for the County to fund their <br /> own program to recycle electronics, it may be worth doing. He asked if a more definitive cost <br /> could be determined. <br /> Gayle Wilson said the cost for the actual collection of electronic items, as well as the <br /> recycling process, costs in the range of$250,000 per year. <br /> Commissioner Price asked if would be effective to have in-house electronics recycling, <br /> if no one is in the market for the recyclables. <br /> Gayle Wilson said there is a small market for general electronics, but the CRTs are the <br /> problem, and they continue to come in on a daily basis. <br /> Commissioner Price said that was her point: if the County decided to do the right thing <br /> by creating its own program, but cannot sell the product, is it worth the effort. <br /> Gayle Wilson said he is not sure any efforts made by the County would have any <br /> significant impact, and the waste would end up in a landfill somewhere. <br /> b) Solid Waste Advisory Group (SWAG) Update <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> The SWAG most recently met on May 25, 2016. The primary items on the agenda were: the <br /> County Manager's recommendation on the Solid Waste Programs Fee for Fiscal Year 2016- <br /> 17; and the introduction to the SWAG of SCS Engineers, PC who presented an Interim Report <br /> on the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund Financial Planning study project. The previous SWAG <br /> meeting was held on March 30. <br /> The SWAG will be tracking and evaluating the outputs of the financial study as they are <br /> available in preparation for re-engaging on the Interlocal Agreement for Solid Waste <br /> Management that has currently been suspended pending the outcome of the financial <br /> component of the Agreement. The SWAG will also be involved in recommending solid waste <br /> program priorities, tracking the implementation of the rural curbside recycling program <br /> expansion, progress of the Eubanks Road Waste & Recycling Center modernization project <br /> and other issues as they arise such as mattress disposal, results of shred-a-thons, alternative <br /> means of disposal, etc. <br /> Chair McKee asked if any SWAG members would like to speak to this item. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said the group has delayed the discussion of creating an <br /> interlocal agreement until the financial study is completed. He said UNC and UNC Hospital <br /> reps still attend regularly. He said the group is interested in how UNC Hospital disposes of <br /> food waste and if there is a way to be more aggressive with the handling of organic waste. <br /> Mayor Hemminger said the County is recycling successfully, but the market has <br /> declined to the point that recycling is no longer a revenue source but an expense. <br /> Commissioner Rich said the group's priorities are going to be reviewed with new SWAG <br /> members, and updated as needed. She said she is greatly encouraged by UNC's attendance <br /> and involvement in the process. <br /> Chair McKee said he is not sure the current recycling fee can be maintained in the <br /> future. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said the County had a waste reduction goal of 61% and is now <br /> at 64%. He said it was understood that the higher the percentage went the more expensive it <br /> would be. He said the public should be reminded of this. He added that there has been no <br /> discussion of a percentage cap. <br /> Commissioner Rich said the rural community has fully bought into the process, which <br /> has been tremendous. <br />