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Minutes - Regular Meeting <br /> Solid Waste Advisory Board <br /> December 6, 2007 <br /> Approved February 7, 2008 <br /> Pollock states that there is a baler for plastic bottles, one for steel cans and one that <br /> compacts IIardboard. = Comment []S1 ] : Need to fix <br /> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - formatting here on (margin) <br /> Norwood asks if the one (baler) for plastic bottles would be able to handle the other <br /> rigid plastics such as swimming pools . <br /> Wilson states that we would have to get another one for that. <br /> Grunwald states that I ' ve come across some figures that in this country we throw away <br /> 60 pounds of clothing per person on average . There are three major industrial rag <br /> companies rather close regionally . They buy by the ton and are starting to develop <br /> contracts with municipalities for this material and turning it into shop rags . They are <br /> buying mixed materials and there' s a huge market for unsorted stuff. Some other <br /> companies want it sorted . <br /> Wilson states that in our community there are a lot of outlets for reusable clothing. <br /> Staff has had this conversation and the convenience center of the future will accept <br /> those materials . The problem we have is there isn' t room at the centers . We have to <br /> modernize the centers and look at the way we separate or combine materials to make <br /> more space . <br /> Bowerman notes that there is someone who takes the unsold clothing and sells it. <br /> Norwood says Goodwill in Durham bales it and sends it out. <br /> Smith states that we need to do more of what we are doing. We run out of water, we <br /> have to save more, we are recycling some, but we need to do more; let' s get more <br /> people doing it. <br /> Vickers states that when this group started in 1999 the landfill was going to close in <br /> 2003 and it' s been extended and extended and extended, mainly through better <br /> programs and diverting more materials . What is the real limit? What is it that you <br /> think you can get? How far can we go with this landfill? <br /> Wilson states that the closer you get to the end the harder it is to extend . It' s harder to <br /> get big chunks now . We have extended it by more recycling, better operations and <br /> citizens' waste reduction. <br /> Vickers notes he couldn t recycle his shredded paper but was instructed that it can be . <br /> Taylor states we direct people with large amounts of shredded paper to the sites with <br /> open top dumpsters so they can easily empty their bags of paper . <br /> 4 <br />