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<br />Young states that there is a balance of the financial side and environmental side. That is part of the <br />organics study to be developed. It is not as straightforward as collecting everybody. <br />Williams states that it’s about what the community can sustain. We can get 20 trucks and 64,000 carts <br />but is it worth it? <br />Searing states that the resource is do we try a bunch of different things. <br />Young states that we have applied for a small grant for permanent boxes for food waste collection that <br />have a QR code to an APP to open the box. This will eliminate some of the of challenges of <br />contamination and animals. The goal is place them at the unmanned drop off sites and the Farmers <br />markets. <br />Carter asks if the paper with PFAS is a potential problem; is there data on that. How do we address that? <br />Williams states that BPI certified compostable materials has been identified as having less PFAS … We <br />have to make it easier for everyone. We have a long way to go to change the habits and mindsets of what <br />we’ve been doing for the last 50-60 years. You really can’t get away from it. <br />Carter asks what is the end use of the compost that will be generated as a result of organics program. <br />Williams states that there could be opportunities for partnerships with different communities, co-ops, <br />gardening groups, schools, ore the sale of compost. We will have to research that. <br />Haven-O’Donnel states that composting, beyond what it can achieve moving toward zero waste <br />production, has an unbelievable amount of methane avoided and carbon sequestration by emission. That <br />is a key factor of the education. <br />Bedford states that with the new school facilities, it would be interesting to tie this in with those plans as <br />they are being developed to synthesize with what a new school would need to set up trash, recycling and <br />composting. <br />Young states that it runs through our department with new buildings being built to make certain that <br />there’s waste. I’ve asked them to start addressing the issue of food waste collection at new buildings. <br />There needs to be space inside and outside. <br /> <br />Next Meeting <br /> <br />Williams states that there will be a doodle poll to for the next meeting in August/September. <br />Bedford asks if we need to recruit for NC-Chapel Hill or the Hospital <br />Williams states that UNC-Chapel Hill is going through a transition <br /> <br />Public Comment <br /> <br />Carrie Donnelly with Fair Oaks Compost states that I am here to give an update on our composting <br />program. In our first year of composting, we diverted 9.5 tons of food waste from the landfill and avoided <br />the production of one ton of methane. That is the equivalent of about 25 tons carbon dioxide. In 2024 we <br />had four neighborhoods launch composting programs. This year we have applied for another round of the <br />Green Neighborhoods funding. There are neighborhoods in Chapel Hill who are interested in doing the <br />same thing but we’ve yet to find a mechanism to fund those programs. I support Orange County Solid <br />Waste food waste program in any way that I can. <br />Bedford asks how much money is needed to start up a neighborhood. <br />Donnelly states that the Green Neighborhood’s grants are $2,500. For a neighborhood our size, we <br />needed $2,300 to pay Compost Now for a year. <br /> <br />Adjourn <br /> <br />Meeting adjourned at: 7:08pm <br />Name of Minute Taker: Wanda McCain