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Memorandum To: Solid Waste Advisory Group (SWAG) From: Gayle Wilson, Solid Waste Director Subject: Mattress Disposal Date: September 16, 2016 75 At the Board of Commissioners' (BOCC) request a memorandum (attached) was prepared offering options for improving the county's mattress disposal program. It was believed by some commissioners that our program was not providing the level of service necessary for the residents across the county and that this insufficient level of service was resulting in mattresses being illegally dumped. The original memorandum noted that staff was unable to verify that such illegal dumping was taking place in any substantial way, however the BOCC wanted to consider options for improvement anyway. Several options were presented to the BOCC and discussed at their June 9 budget work session. It was noted by one or more commissioners that the options presented to make program improvements were too costly and that there had to be other less costly options. It was suggested that staff could use seasonal labor or interns. It was also suggested that the existing Waste & Recycling Center staff could perform the handling of the mattresses. Further, it was noted that sheds could be constructed in which residents could place their mattresses. These suggestions were previously considered and were somewhat problematic. Staff has however, developed two additional options (one a variation of the original 1a), but they also have costs that may exceed BOCC expectations. Staff wishes to reiterate that mattresses are a special waste material that requires special handling, even more so for recycling them, so it is difficult to avoid increasing labor costs for increasing resident convenience and availability. Handling large and sometimes wet mattresses are also physically demanding. 1aa — Permanent mattress disposal at Walnut Grove and Eubanks Waste & Recycling Center This option provides a permanent mattress disposal option at both of the District Waste & Recycling Centers (W &R Center), in addition to the existing landfill location Details: a. During existing landfill facility hours (7 am -3 pm weekdays and 8 am -noon Sat) mattresses /box springs would be received just as we do now (not at the Eubanks W &R Center) except that mattresses coming from residents will not be charged the fee even though they'll have to cross the scales; only non - residential mattresses (UNC or apartment management companies for example) will be charged $10 /unit b. When the landfill facility is closed (after 3 pm weekdays and noon on Saturdays; and Sundays) residents may bring mattresses to the Eubanks Rd. W &R Center