Orange County NC Website
<br /> Comprehensive Review of <br /> S olid W aste Collection and Disposal Options <br /> <br /> <br />v2.1 64 10/22/12 <br />Exhibit 4 -7. Example of Solar -Powered Trash Compactor <br /> <br /> <br />4.3.6 Monitoring and Locking Devices for Downtown Business <br />Waste Compactors <br />The Town maintains two waste compactors in the downtown area for use by commercial <br />businesses. The annual cost for use of these compactors ranges between $280 to $1,500 per <br />business depending on the volume of waste generated for disposal. The compactors are locked <br />to prevent unauthorized use. Businesses who have registered with the Town to use the waste <br />compactors are provided a key for access. The Town contracts with Waste Industries for the <br />weekly collection of the compactors. <br />Inefficiencies noted by Town staff and observed by SCS include unauthorized access of the <br />waste compactors and lack of education for businesses on the operation of the compactors. The <br />inventory of the keys issued by the Town to businesses that use the waste compactors has <br />become outdated. Some businesses have moved out of the area and the key for the waste <br />compactors is passed along to the new businesses. This allows the new business to use the waste <br />compactor; however, the Town’s records are not always updated and hence the Town does not <br />charge the new businesses for use of the waste compactor. <br />Other inefficiencies noted relate to the operation of the waste compactors. Often, users unlock <br />the waste compactor to dispose of waste but do not make sure the waste compactor is locked <br />when they are finished. This allows unauthorized waste disposal by users that are not registered <br />with the Town and who are not charged for use. Also, users do not cycle the compression <br />mechanism. This results in the dumpster appearing full and requiring service before it is truly <br />full. <br />The Town should consider changing the locks for the waste compactors and reassess users of the <br />waste compactors to confirm that all users are being properly charged. The new inventory and <br />registration process should include education through brochures or a flyer about the operation of <br />the waste compactors as is currently the practice. Additionally, the Town should install signage <br />in both English and Spanish on the operation of the waste compactors. <br />The Town should also consider using technology that limits use, records frequency of compactor <br />usage by business, and offers data retrieval for billings. An example is the Waste Edge 200 by