Agenda - 04-25-2001-4 - Laserfiche WebLink

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zs D. Impact of PAYT an the commercial waste sector. O erational Im acts There maybe some illegal disposal by Chapel Hill residents in commercial waste dumpsters in Town and also in other jurisdictions that are not subject to the PAYT program. While the direct impact on the County is minimal from these activities, except where County-controlled dumpsters aze used, this type of illegal dumping is a general concern when PAYT is implemented. "Cost Impacts • The cost impact of this type of waste shifting is indeterminate at this time although it is likely that residents could deposit materials in commercially serviced dumpsters within Town limits, thus shifting disposal costs only to another Town sector, not reducing them. Waste could also shift to dumpsters and other containers in other jurisdictions, thus shifting the cost burden to that jurisdiction or to the hauler servicing the container. E. What is the basis for the Town's decision to consider PAYT Is the objective of the fee primarily to influence behavior to reduce waste or primarily to raise money for providing waste management services? If waste reduction is the primary goal, Orange County Solid Waste Management has a direct interest in the Town's policy and its compatibility with the current Solid Waste Management Plan. If raising revenue is the primary goal, the County's primary interest is only the poteritial cost impacts on its programs and how those will be paid. • Will PAYT fees charged be sufficient to change behavior? The Town's analysis shows that to cover the costs of disposal only, the costs per bag would be as low as $0.50. That small cost might not influence many people to change their waste disposal behavior. Summary and Conclusions The proposal by the Town of Chapel Hill to consider PAYT in its residential sector is potentially an effective waste reduction tool but it is not being considered within the context of the timing of the solid waste plan framework previously adopted by all the governments. Staff believes PAYT could be most effective if implemented in the sequence proposed in the plan that first includes expansion of recycling to commingled and an expanded list of materials and sectors coupled with improved processing capability followed by implementation of regulatory and/or incentive measures such as PAYT and mandatory recycling.