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2 l-� <br /> Environmental Quality Ind icator : <br /> xI . Loti <br /> Why indicator Although the amount of solid waste generated is an important indicator <br /> selected of sustainability, the amount of waste landfilled is the true measure of <br /> was resource consumption . <br /> By annually comparing solid waste tonnage landfilled per capita , Wake <br /> County can gauge the success of its waste reduction and recycling initiatives <br /> targeted waste reduction goal . The majority of waste <br /> in achieving its targe <br /> reduction programs impact the residential sector, not the commercial sector, <br /> which generates 70 percent of the County 's municipal solid waste stream . <br /> t <br /> How indicator <br /> To determine solid waste tons landfilled per capita per year, the tons <br /> landfilled ( as reported in the State of North Carolina Solid Waste <br /> was mea5Ured <br /> Management Annual Report) was divided by the County 's population for <br /> that fiscal year. <br /> The trend i Over the last five years , the tons landfilled have increased from almost <br /> j 540 , 000 tons in Fiscal Year 1991 . 1992 to 747 , 000 tons in Fiscal Year <br /> in Wake County <br /> I 1995 = 1996 , This increased tonnage can be attributed to the phenomenal <br /> population growth as a result of the County 's reputation as a great place <br /> to live , work and raise a family. <br /> Along with this growth comes increased commercial development <br /> I which generates construction and demolition debris . For the past two <br /> fiscal years , this calculation has caused the County to incur a negative <br /> i waste reduction percentage . <br /> i <br /> The majority of the County ' s waste reduction and recycling efforts target the <br /> residential sector. The tons recycled through these and limited commercial <br /> waste reduction efforts have increased over the last five years . In Fiscal Year <br /> i <br /> 1991 - 1992 , almost 31 , 000 tons were recycled . In Fiscal Year 1 995 - 1 996 <br /> 1 this tonnage increased to a little over 68 , 000 tons . The County goal is <br /> to increase the tonnage recycled to 236 , 277 tons by Fiscal Year 2000 - 2001 . <br /> CountyIn May 1994 , the County hired a commercial waste 'reduction specialist to <br /> The Wake <br /> implement educational programs , foster material markets , implement waste <br /> Government reopon5e assessments and exchanges , and track contributors to the commercial solid <br /> waste stream . The goal is to increase waste reduction by the commercial <br /> sector and the variety of materials being diverted from the landfill . <br /> 11 <br />