TITLE: Title
Discussion of solid waste options which may lead to reduction in material being disposed of in a landfill.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is for the Board of Alderman to provide input on the scope of a study on solid waste issues.
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DEPARTMENT: Public Works
CONTACT INFORMATION: George Seiz, 918-7427
INFORMATION:
Introduction
Based on earlier BOA discussions about Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) and possible interest in organic waste collection, $30,000 was programmed in the FY 2013-14 to study items which may lead to the reduction of material being disposed of in a landfill. Staff is currently working on an RFQ to look at PAYT and is seeking board input to help develop/define the scope of items to study prior to moving forward. It is anticipated that a study of this nature would be used to determine the effect that options would have on refuse tonnage collected, environmental impact, costs, logistical considerations, existing solid waste operations, and effectiveness of any reduction.
Current Town Solid Waste Services
The Town provides the following collection services: residential refuse collection (including single-family and multi-family), residential yard waste, bulky item, loose leaves, and commercial refuse dumpster (fee-based). Residential refuse is collected on a weekly basis, yard waste is twice per month, and bulky items are on an on-call basis. Solid waste costs for residential collection are paid for out of the general fund. Residents utilize a 95 gallon capacity roll out container for refuse; multi-family residents use dumpsters. Yard waste is collected either by roll-out containers (purchased by residents), or placed curbside in small piles. Loose leaves are collected curbside in piles during leaf collection season (November thru February).
Pay-As-You-Throw
Pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) refuse collection programs are those where residents are charged a fee for the collection of solid waste based on the amount that is thrown away. Currently, residential refuse collection for the Town is funded through the General Fund. A PAYT program would change all or parts of refuse collection to a fee based structure, which could lead to increase recycling. There are currently more than 30 North Carolina communities that are using a variety of different PAYT methods; most being county governments.
The concept of pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) as a waste reduction strategy has been discussed over the years by the BOA. Town staff last provided information to the BOA about PAYT and other waste reduction strategies in 2007. The February 6, 2007 report addressed implications of implementing PAYT and the June 12, 2007 report touched on alternative waste reduction and recycling strategies. Since it has been five years that this topic was last reviewed in any detail, there are likely new methods or technologies worth exploring. Any review and research will need to keep the following issues/implications in mind:
- Compatibility with existing collection system.
- Enforcement
- Impact on budget
- Effectiveness of reduction
- Waste shifting
- Impact on adjacent communities
Attachment 1 titled NCDENR Pay-As-You-Throw-Programs provides an overview of PAYT systems and a listing of North Carolina communities with PAYT collection.
Organic Waste
Organic waste collection services provide for the collection of organic material for composting. Collectable material includes all food waste, wood-based products (coffee stirrers, etc), wet paper (beverage cups, sandwich wrappers), and other food preparation materials (tea bags, compostable boxes).
There is no wide-spread organic waste collection and disposal service within Carrboro or Orange County. There are two private companies based in Raleigh who provide collection service for a monthly fee to both commercial businesses and residents. There are two local commercial composting facilities, one in Zebulon and another in Goldston. Orange County Solid Waste Management puts on organics waste composting classes geared towards residential composting on a regular basis in Chapel Hill.
Attachment 2 titled Food Waste Recovery in NC is a presentation from NCDENR regarding organic waste collection in North Carolina.
Recycling
Orange County Solid Waste Management Department provides recycling to Carrboro; the waste reduction rate for Orange County is 59% (FY 11-12, as compared to the base year of FY 91-92). With this rate, the County is recognized as being the number one North Carolina for waste reduction, disposing .56 tons/person compared to the base year of 1991-92 when the disposal rate measured 1.36 tons/person (annually). The County's recycling goal is a waste reduction rate of 60%.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: The Town has budgeted $30,000 in the current FY (2013-14) to study solid waste issues such as PAYT.
RECOMMENDATION:r Town Staff requests the Board of Aldermen provide input on possible solid waste issues it may wish to consider as part of the proposed study noted above.