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Comprehensive Review of S olid W aste Collection and Disposal Options v2.1 49 10/22/12 4.1.3.1 Collaborate With UNC for Yard Waste Processing SCS determined that UNC owns and operates a tub grinder to process storm debris, limbs, brush, and yard waste gathered from around its campus. The resulting mulch is used on campus and off-sets mulch costs otherwise incurred for landscaping. During discussions with UNC staff, SCS understands the UNC tub grinding process is currently operating under an exemption from NCDENR permit conditions, equivalent to a small-scale farm-use exemption. UNC’s operations reportedly process an estimated 100 to 200 tons per month, approximately equal to the annual quantity of yard waste collected and disposed from the Town. During preliminary meetings with UNC staff, SCS understands the UNC process has the capacity to grind (mulch) the Town’s yard waste from its residential collection. Furthermore, most recently the UNC process has not generated enough mulch to satisfy landscaping demand and the university was required to purchase mulch. Thus, UNC staff would welcome Town collaboration to meet this demand. These preliminary discussions indicated that the operating footprint of the current UNC operation would likely need to be expanded by moving perimeter fencing to accommodate the projected additional material contributed by the Town. Furthermore, by including the Town’s yard waste with their operation, the mulching operation may become subject to NCDENR permitting since it is accepting material generated off-site. However, the university has indicated an interest in considering a partnership with the Town for processing yard waste and is interested in discussing projected volumes and potential processing fees. 4.1.3.2 Containers Based on field observations, yard waste piles often do not conform to the Town collection rules. Most often, waste collections staff is left to manage non-conforming piles of loose branches and brush by hand which requires a lot of manual labor per collection stop. SCS recommends requiring households to containerize yard waste curbside in the Town provided carts capable of being mechanically tipped by the Town’s residential collection, rear loader vehicles. Enforcing this practice would reduce the physical labor required to collect the waste and the possibility of collection-related injuries. Containerizing the yard waste would also greatly reduce the time spent per stop and decrease overall route time. For the purposes of easing the impacts of transition of service, SCS recommends that the Town purchase yard waste collection carts for its residents and factor the cost of providing carts in annual SWSD budget. Based on recent Orange County solicitation data, the carts are anticipated to cost approximately $50 each. Purchase of 11,500, carts at $50/per cart would cost approximately $575,000. This would add about $0.51/household/month to the collection costs for the additional carts, assuming a 10-year amortization period at 4% interest. Assuming an $18/ton disposal fee for yard waste, the Town could consider charging an additional $1.5 to $2/cart per pickup (or something less if it so chooses) for each additional cart to cover the additional disposal costs. Implementing this change would likely require 6 months to a year to implement, and require public education and notification. When recognized, the Town does not collect large piles of tree removal debris set out by contractors. The Town should engage in education and public outreach with residents and