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Orange County, North Carolina <br />Proposal - Waste Characterization Study <br /> <br /> Orange County WCS KCI Proposal <br />22 <br />Elon University, North Carolina <br />Contact: Elaine Durr, Director of Sustainability, (336) 278-5229 <br /> <br />University Recycling and Waste Audit and Waste Reduction Master Plan <br /> <br />This project entailed two phases: (1) recyclables and waste composition audit and (2) waste reduction <br />program analysis and master plan development. <br /> <br />The audit evaluated recyclables and waste generated at representative campus buildings <br />(administration, residence halls, and academic) and a football game as identified by Elon staff. The <br />university separates waste into three streams (recyclables, compostables, and landfill) each of which <br />was sampled and sorted into defined material categories in order to average composition, recovery <br />rates of recyclables and compostables, and level of contamination in those streams. <br />KCI worked closely with staff in developing the audit protocol and conducted all field work, preparing a <br />baseline report that analyzed not only waste generation, but also the quantity of recyclable and <br />compostable materials in the disposal stream. Analysis of this baseline data during Phase 2 allowed KCI <br />to evaluate the performance of Elon’s waste reduction program, and integrate observations performed <br />during an on-site operations assessment. KCI then identified comparable case studies of other academic <br />institutions. Results of the analysis and research led to the identification of recommendations and <br />activities. After a thorough review with university staff, selected activities were organized into a <br />strategic roadmap, the Elon University Solid Waste Reduction Master Plan, for improving their waste <br />management system and increasing the diversion rate of materials to meet their overarching <br />sustainability goals. <br />The Recycling Partnership (TRP) <br />Contact: Asami Tanimoto, Senior Business Systems and Program Analytics <br />Manager, (916) 642-9686 <br />Longitudinal Capture Studies <br /> <br />KCI has been contracted by TRP to conduct multi-year capture studies in communities across the nation. <br />The goal of these studies is to develop robust data on the generation and recovery rates of recyclables <br />from single-family residences across time. At each selected community, KCI conducts a one- or two- <br />week capture study, in which residential waste and recyclables will be sampled and sorted into specific <br />material categories. KCI will utilize either a truck-based (sampling from collection vehicles) or cart-based <br />(sampling from curbside containers) methodology for these studies as the collection infrastructure in <br />each community dictates. The capture study will be repeated at each community every other year to <br />measure changes in the data over time. KCI has currently completed truck-based capture studies in <br />Napa, CA, Olympia, WA, and Minot, ND. <br />Recycling Intervention Audits <br />KCI has worked with TRP on several recycling intervention audits. The purpose of these audits was to <br />determine the impact of various intervention techniques to increase the quantity of recyclables <br />recovered (reduced recyclables in the waste stream) and reduce contamination in the recycling stream. <br />Audits were conducted on both single-family and multi-family (trash and recyclables) residential <br />streams. These audits were conducted in partnership with the following jurisdictions: <br />Docusign Envelope ID: 1223AA0B-DDEC-4EBE-8FEA-427010558A5C