HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-07-2013-13 (3)INFORMATION ITEM
Memorandum
To: Frank Clifton, County Manager
From: Gayle Wilson, Solid Waste Director
Subject: Mattress Recycling Pilot
Date: March 7, 2013
Beginning February 18 Orange County initiated a short -term (60 -day) pilot mattress recycling project
running until we collect and transport about 100 dry mattresses and box springs to Mattress Go Round
(MGR), a mattress recycler in Greensboro that is now about two years old and expanding to this
area. Once the municipal solid waste landfill closes mattresses will become more difficult to manage
locally. If the pilot is successful, we will attempt to continue separate mattress collection for recycling
after landfill closure so that we can minimize the quantity of mattresses to be delivered to the City of
Durham Waste Transfer Station. For the remainder of this Fiscal Year, there will be no change in fees for
mattresses as this is just a pilot. Usual per ton or per load charges will continue to apply. If the pilot
proves successful a new fee structure may be proposed as part of the upcoming budget process. Our
goal is to achieve full cost recovery for mattress recycling or disposal once there is no more local burial
option.
Staff has communicated with the Towns asking for their cooperation in the pilot program by delivering
reasonably clean and dry mattresses to our pilot program recycling area. The recycling area will be at
the north side of the landfill where we have established a designated collection area under the metal
canopy adjoining the scrap metal and white goods area to the west. In order for the mattresses to be
recycled the mattresses and box springs must be delivered in 'reasonable' condition i.e. not wet,
shredded, totally soiled or badly damaged for this program.
Those mattresses that are not appropriate for recycling due to their condition will still be landfilled.
Once the local landfill closes, mattresses and box springs unable to be recycled will be received and
prepared for hauling to the City of Durham Waste Transfer Station for disposal.