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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: May 19, 2020 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 6-d <br /> SUBJECT: Discussion Regarding Construction and Demolition Waste at Waste and <br /> Recycling Centers <br /> DEPARTMENT: Solid Waste <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Solid Waste Ordinance Section 34-40 Robert Williams, 919-918-4904 <br /> PURPOSE: To discuss and provide direction to Solid Waste staff regarding enforcement of the <br /> current Solid Waste Ordinance provisions related to Construction and Demolition Waste at the <br /> Waste and Recycling Centers. <br /> BACKGROUND: The Orange County Waste and Recycling Centers (Centers) were <br /> established for the disposal of household municipal solid waste and recycling. Specifically, the <br /> Orange County Solid Waste Ordinance provides in Section 34-40 that Centers are maintained at <br /> selected locations throughout the County for the convenience of County residents. It details a <br /> list of wastes that may not be accepted at convenience centers, including commercial waste, <br /> institutional waste, industrial waste, land clearing waste, and construction waste and demolition <br /> waste. In contrast, the ordinance specifically provides a list of materials that, if there is a <br /> specifically designated area for collection, may be deposited at the Centers, including white <br /> goods, furniture, yard waste and tires. These ordinance provisions have been in effect since <br /> May of 1993. <br /> A recent audit of the Centers highlighted that the Ordinance was not being consistently followed <br /> by some of the Solid Waste staff. The Centers have traditionally allowed a "wheelbarrows" or up <br /> to 3 cubic feet worth of construction and demolition waste to be deposited in the bulky waste <br /> area as an accommodation to residential users of the sites. This amount was being <br /> inconsistently applied by staff. In addition, it became apparent that construction and demolition <br /> waste of a commercial nature was also being brought to the sites. Individuals that were <br /> renovating homes for commercial purposes were bringing or causing large quantities of material <br /> to be brought to the sites. <br /> This activity was not only contrary to the current Solid Waste Ordinance but also raised other <br /> concerns. The Orange County Regulated Recycling Materials Ordinance (RRMO) is being <br /> circumvented by having construction and demolition wastes brought to the Centers. The RRMO <br /> requires that regulated recyclable construction and demolition waste be separated from other <br />