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Memorandum To: Solid Waste Advisory Group From: George Siez, Carrboro Public Works Director Ken Hines, Hillsborough Public Works Director Gayle Wilson, Orange County Solid Waste Director Subject: Program Usage Surveys Date: May 20, 2015 The Solid Waste Advisory Group (SWAG) has expressed interest in acquiring information related to the jurisdictional source (incorporated vs unincorporated) of the users of various recycling programs. It is our understanding that the SWAG desires reliable usage data with which to make informed decisions. The primary method of obtaining this information is through surveying users to determine where they live. Staff recently provided information on Solid Waste Convenience Center users based on a survey designed, validated and presented by the UNC Odum Institute for Research in Social Science. Survey Options As staff evaluated survey opportunities for upcoming FY 2015 -16 there were four possible areas to consider for ascertaining the place of residence of program users: 0 Solid Waste Convenience Centers (SWCC) Convenience centers are of special interest to the SWAG with regard to user residence. The first user survey conducted was for SWCC's with the results being reported to the SWAG at their March 6, 2015 meeting. It was expressed by the SWAG that additional SWCC surveys were expected to be conducted. The Eubanks Road SWCC is the center most heavily utilized by municipal residents and is scheduled to undergo a major reconstruction beginning in the summer of 2015 with completion not expected until approximately late spring of 2016. Given that this site will be closed for construction for several months it was anticipated that no surveys would be conducted at SWCC's until this construction was complete and the newly modernized and expanded center reopened for business. With this site closed it was further anticipated that users would temporarily initiate new waste and recycling use patterns such as visiting other SWCC's, taking recyclables to 24 -hour drop -off sites, increasing use of curbside collection services or other waste disposal and recycling behavioral changes. Therefore the efficacy of conducting a survey during this period would seem to be of little value. SWAG staffs were in general agreement with this conclusion, although committed to proceeding with a survey at the SWAG's direction. However, there is a small window prior to the expected beginning of construction (July 13 -26) when a SWCC survey could be conducted should the SWAG wish to proceed. Staff assumes that such a survey would be used to gain additional information to supplement the previous survey. Staff has consulted the Odum Institute regarding both the issue of SWCC surveying during Eubanks Road SWCC construction (surveying the other four centers and a temporary Eubanks Road center) and of conducting a quick survey prior to the beginning of construction.