Agenda - 09-30-2003-7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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Attachment A -2 Memorandum To: John Link, County Manager From: Gayle Wilson, Solid Waste Director Subject: HHW Program Update Date: September 12, 2003 The Household Hazardous Waste (MM program began operating "full time" in April 2003. Prior to this schedule change the program was open on the first Saturday of the month, 9 months of the year. The program now operates four days per week, Wednesday through Friday 10 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 7:30 Am until 12 noon. Orange County is the first in the Triangle area to make this change, and other local governments are now studying our results in order to consider following our lead. The expansion to full time has been a great success. The facility, previously open only nine days per year is now open over 200 days per year. Citizens have reacted very positively to the expanded hours, and are pleased with the convenience that the new program set -up provides. In the past, on the first Saturday events, citizens often needed to wait in long lines to dispose of their hazardous materials. Rarely are citizens now required to wait at the HHW facility. The HHW facility is operated under a permit by the state. In order to make the various changes to the HHW program, the permit was revised, and the facility has undergone improvements such as the installation of an employee building and the expansion of the concrete unloading area. In August 2003, the HHW program serviced an average of 22 households per day. Full - time HHW Program participation is up at least 25% over the corresponding time period last year, and program costs per pound and cost per participant are both down. Program diversion tonnage is markedly increased (58% more hazardous waste was diverted in August 2003 than in August 2002, or 22,500 lbs in Aug 2003 vs. 142501bs "in Aug 2002). The HHW is successfully fulfilling its mission of diverting residentially generated hazardous waste from the Orange County Landfill. The program is now more effective and efficient than ever. It is important to note that while cost per household and cost per pound of waste managed are both down, the overall program costs are increasing because the program is handling more hazardous waste (FY 0304 budgeted expense = $150,000 versus actual expense of $119,885 in FY 0203).