HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-05-2009 - 3aORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 5, 2009
Action Agenda
Item No. 3 - Q
SUBJECT• Award to Orange County for Best Community Paper Recycling Program
DEPARTMENT: Solid Waste Management PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
AFPA Press Release
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Blair Pollock, 968-2788
Rob Taylor, 968-2788
PURPOSE: To accept the 2009 award given to Orange County by the American Forest and
Paper Association (AF&PA) for best community paper recycling program, along with a $2,000
check from AF&PA.
BACKGROUND: Orange County has received a competitive award from the American Forest &
Paper Association for best community paper recycling program in the United States for 2009.
Orange County will be presented with an award plaque and a $2,000 check from AF&PA by Ms.
Susan Albritton, Manager of Recycling Field Procurement for Sonoco. Sonoco is the company
to whom Orange County has historically sold most of its paper and cardboard at its paper
packing plant in Durham.)
Several aspects of the County's program were highlighted in the award application prepared by
the Solid Waste Management Department staff. Those highlights include:
- the comprehensive nature of the public program covering all sectors of the
County including residential, multifamily and commercial,
- public collection points like park and ride lots, downtown bins and buses,
- the broad classes of fiber collected -all types including newspaper, mixed paper,
cardboard, office paper, etc.,
- consistently high quality of paper collected as a result of ongoing education and high
levels of diligent program participation,
- strong partnerships with the UNC recycling program and with the buyer Sonoco
resulting in town/gown continuity and optimum pricing due to consistent quality.
This year the AF&PA received over 120 applications for the four awards it gives-the highest
number of applications ever according to AF&PA staff member Gretchen Spear who is in charge
of the awards program. Other awards were given for best schools recycling program (Wake
County, NC), best corporate program (Giant Eagle Foods, Pittsburgh, PA) and best University
2
program (Stanford University). The attached excerpt is from an AF&PA news release issued
March 24 at the awards announcement (emphasis added) See: uvww pa~prrec~~cles.orr~ for more
details.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The County's Solid Waste Enterprise Fund will receive $2,000 from
AF&PA.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board accept the award and check
for $2,000 from AF&PA.
Four Organizations Receive Awards for Outstanding Recycling Achievements
NEW YORK -The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) announced today [March 24,
2009] .................. its 2009 Recycling Award winners as successful and innovative paper recycling programs in
school, university, business, and community categories:
• 1~F~PA F~ ~~=Fess f.cadership Pecyc :<~~; ~v~t~rci - Giaf~t E~sgl~.:r~~., Pittsburgh, PA
Giant Eagle, Inc. has established a comprehensive paper recycling program throughout its headquarter
buildings and corporately owned supermarkets, fuel stations, and retail support centers. In 2008 Giant
Eagle collected nearly 555 tons of mixed office paper and more than 42,000 tons of old corrugated
containers for recycling.
• AF~PA Community Recycling Award - Qrange County, NC
In_2008, the 128,000 residents of Orange County. North Carolina recovered aaaroximately 8.750
tons of paper for recyclin_g. This success was the result of education and oufreach combined with
accessibility for residents. The county recycling program includes weekly curbside collection in
urban areas, biweekly curbside for rural locations, multi-family units, drop-off sites, and
government buildings, plus collection from "park and ride" locations and city buses.
• AF&PA School Recycling Award -Wake County Public School System, Wake County, NC
The Department of Environmental Services of Wake County, North Carolina's FEED THE BIN paper
recycling program serves more than 135,000 students in 152 schools. The program provides recycling bins
for each classroom and office space and roll carts for the schools. An impressive 800 tons of paper were
collected during the 2007-2008 school year.
• AF&PA Gallege/University Recycling Award -Stanford University, Stanford, GA
With a student population of more than 17,350, the campus community recovered nearly 3,000 tons of
paper for recycling and diverted 64 percent of its waste from the landfill in 2008. Stanford avoided paying
landfill fees of $133,000 and received approximately $450,000 in revenue from its recyclables.
"In these tough economic times it is more important than ever to highlight the recycling programs that are making a
difference. AF&PA appreciates the on-going dedication of Americans who recycle every day, and we congratulate
the award winners for their achievements. They are inspiration to us all," said Harman.
For additional information on the 2009 AF&PA Recycling Award winners, the 2008 recovery rate, and background
information, interactive features, and resources related to paper recycling, visit www.paperecycles.org.