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<br /> Comprehensive Review of <br /> S olid W aste Collection and Disposal Options <br /> <br />v2.1 ES-1 10/22/12 <br />E XECUTIVE S UMMARY <br />INTRODUCTION <br />The Town of Chapel Hill (Town) contracted SCS Engineers (SCS) to provide professional <br />engineering services for this Comprehensive Review of Solid Waste Collection and Disposal <br />Options (Study). The purpose of the Study is to examine the Town’s current solid waste <br />collections and disposal programs to identify opportunities to enhance these services, improve <br />efficiencies, and evaluate the applicability of innovative technological developments in the solid <br />waste industry, including: recycling, re-use, waste conversion, and waste-to-energy (WTE). The <br />results of this evaluation will be used by Town Council, Solid Waste Services Division (SWSD) <br />staff and other Town staff to guide decision making when considering current and future solid <br />waste management issues. This study also reviews opportunities for collaborative partnership to <br />assist in enhancing the solid waste management system. Lastly, when evaluating identified <br />options, the Study considers the Town’s organizational values, and commitment to sustainability <br />through social equity, economic vitality and environmental stewardship. <br />SCS evaluated a series of issues and alternatives relative to the Town’s solid waste collection, <br />disposal, and recycling functions. The major findings, conclusions, and recommendations <br />resulting from these evaluations are summarized in this executive summary. Background <br />information on the Town’s demographics, solid waste generation, current solid waste system and <br />budget, and operational practices is provided within the body of the report, and is not repeated in <br />this section. <br /> <br />SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIO NS AND RECOMMENDATIO NS <br /> Recycling Program. SCS recommends that the Town continue to participate with <br />Orange County to provide recycling services to its residents and businesses in lieu of <br />creating its own program or independently contracting with a new third party for all <br />or part of the recycling services. Initiating a new Inter-Local Agreement with Orange <br />County that identifies metrics of success and governance for the recycling program is <br />recommended. SCS did not identify significant cost savings or improved operational <br />efficiencies resulting from the alternatives considered. Furthermore, ongoing <br />participation with Orange County’s program promotes continued regional cooperation <br />and the economies of scale that result. One of the recommendations provided for the <br />Town’s solid waste collection program involves conducting a routing and technology <br />study to optimize the collection routes. Coordinating the residential and recycling <br />collection days may be desirable, and could be addressed in the routing study; <br />however, since the County manages the curbside recycling program, the Town does <br />not have a direct say regarding the scheduling of the recycling pickup days. <br /> Residential Solid Waste Collections. SCS recommends the Town consider the <br />following recommendations regarding its residential solid waste collection program: <br />- Routing and Technology Study. Conduct a formal, residential and commercial <br />routing and technology study to optimize the Town’s residential curbside