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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 02-06-24; 7-a - Presentation of the Draft Solid Waste Master Plan 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: February 6, 2024 Action Agenda Item No. 7-a SUBJECT: Presentation of the Draft Solid Waste Master Plan DEPARTMENT: Solid Waste ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Draft Solid Waste Master Plan Robert Williams, 919-918-4904 PURPOSE: To receive a presentation on the Draft Solid Waste Master Plan, consider the recommendations in the Plan, and provide direction to staff regarding which scenario presented in the Plan should be pursued. BACKGROUND: Orange County issued a Request for Proposals on April 9, 2021 for development of a Solid Waste Master Plan that moves the County to "Zero Waste" by 2045. As approved by the Solid Waste Advisory Group, the overarching goals for the Solid Waste Master Plan and its development have been as follows: Goal 1. Develop a comprehensive and easily understandable Solid Waste Master Plan, with identifiable action items and a plan summary; Goal 2. Develop a comprehensive strategy that by 2045 will lead to "Zero Waste," as defined by the County; Goal 3. Integrate the Plan's efforts with the ongoing climate action plans of the County, the Municipalities, the University and the University Health Care system.; Goal 4. Select a sustainable business model that incorporates the financial, social and environmental; including carbon footprint reduction impacts on our community; Goal 5. Identify future programs, initiatives, facilities, and infrastructure to achieve the "Zero Waste" goal, as defined by the County, while ensuring the long-term financial stability of the County's solid waste and recycling program; Goal 6. Identify strategies to increase public education and participation in waste reduction and waste diversion programs through awareness of reduction, reuse, recycling and composting; while addressing ordinance and enforcement requirements; 2 Goal 7. Develop and include an equitable comprehensive public engagement process that effectively includes input by the general public, including groups that historically have been marginalized, and key interest groups, including the municipal and university partners, and keeps the public informed and updated on the process; and Goal 8. Ensure all proposed programs and policies are in regulatory compliance with local, state and federal requirements. Six (6) firms responded to the request for proposals, and upon recommendation of staff, the Board awarded the contract to develop the plan to Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. (GBB). GBB presented the draft plan to the Solid Waste Advisory Group (SWAG) in November 2023. SWAG recommended the County pursue Scenario Three set forth in the plan. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact to receiving information on the Plan. The financial impact of the overall plan is dependent upon the direction given by the BOCC. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated with this item. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impacts are applicable to this item: • ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND WASTE REDUCTION Initiate policies and programs that: 1) conserve energy; 2) reduce resource consumption; 3) increase the use of recycled and renewable resources; and 4) minimize waste stream impacts on the environment. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the presentation on the Draft Solid Waste Master Plan, consider the recommendations in the Plan, and provide direction to staff regarding which scenario presented in the Plan should be pursued. Solid Waste Master Plan: ORANGE COUNTY Road to Zero Waste NORTH CAROLINA ORANGE COUNTY, NC 2023-2045 a SOLID WANE y €_ V. i IT Prepared for: Orange County,North Carolina Solid Waste Management Department 1207 Eubanks Road S Y q Chapel Hill,NC 27516 Prepared by: Gershman,Brickner&Bratton,Inc. 8300 Boone Blvd,Suite 500 Vienna,VA 22182 Al I - _ GBBgbbinc.com River District 4 ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA ORMW Table of Contents SOLID WASTE 1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 How to Get to Zero Waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 Current Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 4 Solid Waste Management System Inventory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 5 County Landfill and Transfer Station Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 6 The Road to Zero Waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 7 Conclusion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 8 Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 GggInnovative, Sustainable Solutions for Solid Waste Management QUALITY • VALUE • ETHICS • RESULTS ©2023 Gershman, Brickner&Bratton, Inc. � , We ALWAYS print on recycled paper. 5 Eight project goals have been established to guide the County's 1 - Introduction Zero Waste efforts: The Orange County (County) Solid Waste Management • Goal #1 – Develop a comprehensive and easily Department contracted with Gershman, Brickner & Bratton understandable Solid Waste Master Plan (SWMP), with Inc. (GBB)to create a Solid Waste Master Plan—The Road to identifiable action items and a plan summary. Zero Waste (the "Plan"). The following sections illustrate the • Goal#2 – Develop a comprehensive strategy by 2045 that draft of the Plan,and includes information collected from the will lead to"Zero Waste,"as defined by the County. public during outreach and engagement efforts conducted • Goal #3 – Integrate the Plan's efforts with the ongoing throughout this project,as well as the role of waste prevention climate action plans of the County, the Municipalities, the in County planning, and operational specifics, such as input University,and the University Health Care system. on consistent signage/messaging, and waste collection and . Goal#4–Selecta sustainable business model that incorporates processing options which may be advantageous to the County the financial, social, and environmental, including carbon moving forward. footprint reduction impacts on our community. • Goal#5–Identify future programs,initiatives,facilities,and 1 .1 1 Zero Waste Definition infrastructure to achieve the Zero Waste goal,as defined by the & Project Goals: County,while ensuring the long-term financial stability of the County's solid waste and recycling program. Orange County's forward-thinking Solid Waste Management • Goal #6 – Identify strategies to increase public education Department operates a robust waste management program and participation in waste reduction and waste diversion serving its residents and community members. The County programs through awareness of reduction, reuse, seeks to implement recommendations to set the vision for an recycling, and composting,while addressing ordinance and integrated solid waste management program leading to Zero enforcement requirements. Waste by 2045. In this context,"Zero Waste"is defined by the Goal#7–Develop and include an equitable,comprehensive County as follows: public engagement process that effectively includes input by • The reduction of solid waste to nothing, or as close to the general public, including groups that historically have nothing as possible, by minimizing excess consumption been marginalized, and key interest groups, including the by means of responsible production, consumption, and municipal and university partners, and keeps the public reuse and maximizingthe recovery of solid wastes through informed and updated on the process. recycling and composting. Goal 8 – Ensure all proposed programs and policies are This Plan was then developed, in collaboration with the Solid in regulatory compliance with local, state, and federal Waste Management Department, SWAG members, and requirements. feedback from County residents,to determine the path forward to achieve Zero Waste by 2045. Oranp County,North Carolina Solid Waste Master Plan:The Road to Zero Waste QUALITY - VALUE - ETHICS - RESULTS an 6 2 - How to Get to Zero Waste The Road to Zero Waste is guided by the following questions: The key pillars of Zero Waste include: • How to prevent,reduce,reuse? 1. Reduction/reuse of materials,food capture and • What to recycle/divert? distribution,bulky material collection for reuse/donation, • How to collect and process? store promotion of refill/reuse packaging models. • What to do with what is left? Z. Increased recycling:current curbside materials,food scraps, mattresses,electronics,paint. • How to finance? 3. Use of a sustainability lens for what is left. The Sustainable Materials Management Hierarchy is a tool that GBB uses to establish preferred management practices for waste materials to prevent waste generation in the first place. Sustainable Materials Management Hierarchy Prevent, Rethink, ' - • - Avoid waste,rethink policies and incentives,redesign for waste Reduce, • elimination and ease of reuse and recovery,reduce toxicity °rte Manufacturing efficiency upgrades,material lightweighting&minimization, P`2 sustainable purchasing strategies,sharing,lending,product-as-a-service, _ Repair, Maintai • - Extended Producer Responsibility Aeuse,maintain,repair,refurbish,component salvage ;A Remanufacture 9< <A Rebuilding to original specifications using a combination of reused,repaired and new parts RecycleQ'<< Traditional recycling(including single stream,dual stream,(multi-stream,and curbside collection),chemical recycling,composting,anaerobic digestion Mixed waste processing,solid fuel production,and other processes that downcycle materials to create secondary products or commodities lee Thermal waste processing such as combustion,gasification,pyrolysis with energy recovery $rte (e.g.electricity,heat,steam,biofuels) Fy Mechanical-biological treatment without recovery,stabilized landfilling,ash recovery,landfill gas(LFG)capture with energy recovery<< •• , Traditional landfilling,incineration without energy recovery A� Unacceptable:Unregulated or unsafe disposal,including littering,illegal or open dumping,open burning,use of unlined or unprotected landfills Copyright 2023,GBB 4 ORANGE � � Solid Road to Zero Waste COUNTY 0 August 2023 7 2.1.1 1 Public Engagement Timeline Throughout the Public Engagement process, GBB and RDCG held monthly team meetings with the Internal Team to provide updates, monitor progress,and adjust as needed.As shown in Figure 1,the public engagement effort was completed efficiently and on time,with the bulk of the public feedback activities happening in October,November,and December 2022. Public Engagement Timeline Jun 2022 4 Aug 2022 4 Oct 2022 4 4 Jan 2022 Deliver public Finalize written Delivery of options Delivery of public engagement public engagement and refinement of engagement presentation to strategy public engagement summary SWAG questions I I I I I I Feb Jun 2022 Jun-Aug 2022 Oct-Dec 2022 Initiate and develop public Webpage developed and published(ongoing Conduct public engagement activities engagement strategy with updates) (interviews,public meetings,listening • Press Release announcing website launch sessions,surveys)and outreach with call to action to stay informed • Outreach materials developed,finalized, and distributed • Continued refinement of public engagement strategy Figure 1 -Public Engagement Timeline COUNTYOrange County,North Carolina Solid Waste Master Plan:The Road to Zero Waste ORANGE August 2023 8 It is interesting to note that under the current system of waste • Participated in three(3)farmers markets located management, most of our resources, efforts, and investments throughout the County are at the bottom of the hierarchy with Residuals Management . Participated in a fall Shred-a-thon event and Regulated Disposal. It is imperative that with future • Tabled at the Seymour Center(with the Department of Aging) progress and growth,solid waste management becomes more sustainable and climate-friendly by moving up the hierarchy. • Advertised in print media and on television The Circular Economy is an economic system based on the reuse • Conducted online surveys in multiple languages(English, and regeneration of materials or products,especially as a means Spanish,Mandarin,Burmese) of continuing production in a sustainable or environmentally • Conducted one-on-one interviews and Small Group friendly way. Advancing the circular economy is a critical Listening Sessions component of Zero Waste planning.This can be achieved through The County prioritized seeking input from community members design that keeps products and materials in use longer, and that have been traditionally marginalized during the public that regenerates natural systems. A circular economy model, engagement effort. For focused outreach, the County held in combination with the Sustainable Materials Management four community listening sessions, including three in-person Hierarchy, serves as the underlying foundation for the Road to sessions, one virtual session, and one hybrid session (mixed Zero Waste. In the Triangle region of North Carolina, there is in-person and virtual).Interpreters were available at the public an organization already in place that demonstrates an effective gatherings.To reach communities with limited internet access circular economy model in action.The Circular Triangle includes or exposure to news networks, signage and informational a Textile Incubator initiative to encourage keeping clothing in use. materials about the project were distributed in select public This is just one example of the circular economy in practice. areas and government buildings throughout the County where residents gather.Additionally,the public survey was developed 2.1 1 Community Outreach and issued in four different languages, (English, Spanish, When developing the Road to Zero Waste Plan, the County Mandarin, and Burmese), and the project was advertised via advocated for the collection of community feedback and input local media outlets including newspapers, community-based throughout the planning process. By asking the community for radio,area newsletters,and listservs. feedback,the County was able to show how much they value Further information describing the elements of the public the opinions of the residents they serve, and their input was engagement strategy, including the planning process and able to shape the recommendations that ultimately informed methodology,timeline,stakeholder identification,and specific the Plan.The County sought opinions and feedback from the outreach and communication activities, are included in public via the following in-person and virtual methods: Appendix B—Public Engagement Summary. • Formed a solid waste advisory group and identified key stakeholders and one-on-one interviewees Learn more about the incubator at www.circulartriangleorg • Held four(4)public meetings • Promoted the efforts online through the Solid Waste Management website and social media accounts COUNTYOrange County,North Carolina CAll1YF1}' August 2023 9 2.2 1 Public Feedback 6. Participants believe recycling and food waste management Summary should be robust within the K-12 systems in Orange County. These themes are further supported by the results of the As feedback from the public was received throughout the survey. As part of the larger public engagement effort for community outreach efforts described in section 2.1, the this project, an online public opinion survey was developed following six(6)common themes emerged: and administered to solicit general feedback from those 1.The current system is working well,but interviewees, that live and work in Orange County regarding solid waste focus group members,and public meeting attendees(the management and options the County is considering, with Participants)want Orange County to be on the forefront of an emphasis on its goals to achieve Zero Waste by 2045. solid waste innovation. The survey was administered online to garner feedback that 2. Participants desire systemic change in Orange County by can inform the County's planning process and serve as an putting maximum efforts toward preventing waste in the outreach and education opportunity regarding the County's first place. solid waste services. 3. Participants want to invest instate-of-the-art facilities so The survey was released to the public on November 2, 2022, that Orange County is equipped to handle waste within its and stayed open for six (6) weeks, through December 14, own borders or regionally. 2022. In support of the County's goal to reach traditionally marginalized community members, the survey was offered 4. Participants overwhelmingly support increased efforts in four languages: English, Spanish, Burmese, and Mandarin. for food waste management,while also acknowledging Upon closing the survey, a total of 1,401 respondents fully challenges to be addressed. completed it, which exceeded the goal of 1,000 completed 5. Increased outreach and education efforts are believed to be responses.For a summary of responses from the online survey, needed,including more consistent messaging and signage which are aligned with the 6 themes previously described, as and increased engagement with marginalized communities, well as more details about the public engagement efforts and residents of multi-family units,and residents that speak results,see Appendix B. languages other than English. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEA 1'e'D We need your inputon OrangeCounty's R1 . 1 to Zero Waste Plan: orangecountync.gov/ZeroWaste �� Zer�919)o968c 2788 ountync.goV SOLID WASTE Oranp County,North Carolina Solid Waste Master Plan:The Road to Zero Waste ORANGE7 August 2023 10 3 - Current Programs In 2022, a comprehensive Current System Review was The County is not responsible for the management of its conducted as a first step in the project to lay the groundwork commercial solid waste;rather,each business arranges its own for public engagement efforts and the resulting plan waste pickup and disposal.However,the County does handle a development.The following sections contain the high-level portion of the commercial recycling.The Towns and the County summaries established in the Current System Review, with each maintain operational, financial, and environmental the full details included in Appendix A-Current Systems authority and responsibility for the municipal solid waste Review. (MSW)that is generated,collected,and transferred within their respective jurisdictions. 3.1 1 Planning Service Area Each Town manages its own collections of MSW, while the and County Governance County manages the other solid waste services listed below. Orange County is in the Durham-Chapel Hill metropolitan • The curbside recycling collection, area and is home to the University of North Carolina at Chapel - Operation of five(5)Waste&Recycling Convenience Centers Hill. The Towns of Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro (WRCs)and three(3)unstaffed recycling drop-off areas, (collectively "the Towns"), parts of the cities of Durham - Household hazardous waste(HHW)collection, and Mebane, and several communities located in nearby unincorporated areas make up the Orange County solid waste ' Receipt and management of construction and demolition (C&D)waste, service area. Orange County operates a robust waste management program. - Yard waste management,and The County is responsible for oversight of the solid waste - The acceptance of tires and white goods(i.e.,appliances),are programs and services that are offered,the financing and fees provided by Orange County via its Solid Waste Management (including rate setting), and the operation of its solid waste Department. facilities.Additionally,the County coordinates recycling,reuse, Presently, the Solid Waste Management Department is and waste reduction services. While the County consistently organized intofour(4)distinct divisions:Environmental Support, seeks collaboration and assistance from the Towns and its Landfill-Disposal Operations,Recycling,and Sanitation;and the unincorporated areas, along with representatives from UNC Department is staffed by sixty-two (62) Full-Time Equivalent Chapel Hill and UNC Healthcare as needed, the County is (FTE)employees,a reduction of 3-4 FTEs in recent years. accountable for the efficiency and effectiveness of its solid waste management. The County must adhere to the policies and requirements that are set forth by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) and place emphases on the overall goals of waste reduction and increasing diversion from landfills and incinerators when making its solid waste management planning decisions. Orange County,North Carolina 8 ORANGE � . COUNTYCQrUNTY August 2023 11 3.2 1 Population 3.3.2 Operations Demographics and The operating results for FY 2021 are presented in Appendix A. For FY 2021,the Solid Waste Landfill Fund had a net operating Projected Growth income of$118,146, including transfers to the General Fund As of the 2020 US census, the population of Orange County and the R&R Fund totaling $1.99 million. Each division ran a was 148,696 people—organized into 55,259 households and small surplus for the year except for Environmental Support, representing a population increase of 11% over the previous which had a small deficit that included transfers out of the census in 2010(see Table 1). enterprise fund. Without those transfers, that division would According to the North Carolina State Office of State Budget also have had a surplus. and Management,'Orange County's population is projected to Table 1-Population of orange County Townships(2020)' increase to approximately 170,000 between 2030 and 2040.The Municipality Population state population projections for the county,as displayed below, Bingham Township 6,972 provide population estimates through 2050 adjusted to the 2020 Census estimate.' Population growth impacts residential Cedar Grove Township 5,251 MSW generation. Chapel Hill Township 96,006 Town of Carrboro 21,295 3.3 1 Finances Town of Chapel Hill 59,054 3.3.1 Enterprise Fund Unincorporated 15,657 The activities and accounts of the Solid Waste Management Cheeks Township 11,050 Department are organized as an Enterprise Fund—the Solid Waste Landfill Fund.The Solid Waste Landfill Fund is one of two City of Mebane 3,171 enterprise funds(Major Proprietary Funds)established by the Unincorporated 7,879 County.The Solid Waste Landfill Fund is used to account for the Eno Township 8,437 revenues and expenses related to the provision of solid waste Hillsborough Township 17,373 and recycling activities for the citizens of Orange County. It is intended to be self-supporting through charges made to users Town of Hillsborough 9,660 of the Department's services.As an enterprise fund, the Solid Unincorporated 7,713 Waste Landfill Fund carries its own fund balances. Surpluses Little River Township 3,607 are transferred to the General Fund, and, if needed, deficits , are covered by the General Fund. For FY 2022, the County anticipates that the Solid Waste Landfill Fund will transfer a Table 2-Population Growth Estimates for Orange County' balance of over$3 million to the General Fund.14 Population 2030 163,718 North Carolina State Office of State Budget and Management.Projected Population 2035 171,201 of the State of North Carolina and Its Counties July 1,2021-July 1,2050.(February 2022).Retrieved from:https.//www.osbm.ncgov/media/1547/downlood.?attachment 2040 178,629 3 North Carolina Employment Projections.(2019-2028).Retrieved from:https//files. ncgov/nccommerce/documents/Research-Publications/2028-Projections-Summary- 2045 186,004 Supplement-to-Press-Release 062821.pdf 2050 193,327 Orange County,North Carolina Solid Waste Master Plan:The Road to Zero Waste * R/JIIfGE ORANGE August 2023 COUNTY9 NORTHSOLID WASTE 12 3.3.3 Revenues The Solid Waste Management Department provides residential The bulk of the revenues-82.5%—are derived from the Every Other Week(EOW)single-stream recyclables collection to Solid Waste Programs Fee, which is a single County-wide fee homes in the county's unincorporated areas.The Department assessed on each improved parcel within the County in both operates three(3)residential fully automated collection routes the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the County, as per day, Monday through Friday, for a total of thirty (30) well as the portion of Chapel Hill not in the County.The fee is collection routes based on the EOW level of service. The fully set annually and intended to compensate the County for its automated collection routes utilize 95-gallon carts provided to services,programs,and facilities.The current fee is$142.00 per each serviced household by the County. annum,except for the City of Mebane,which has its fee set at In addition to the recycling collection services,the Department $94.72.The fee is included in the property owner's property tax provides Front-end Load (FEL) MSW collection to government bill. The remainder of revenues comes from a variety of over buildings, with the total number of collection routes varying 30 sources,including program fees,material sales,and tipping from zero to two (0-2) routes per day. The Department also fees.The C&D Landfill tipping fee is currently$42.00 per ton for operates a source-separated OCC FEL route for commercial and C&D material. government buildings five(5)days per week.In addition to the 3.3.4 Expenses above-described collection routes, the Department operates Operating expenses for the Department included personnel one to five(1-5)roll-off hook trucks daily to service the County's and other direct expenses, including supplies, maintenance Waste and Recycling Centers. For additional information and repairs,and utilities.They also include almost$1.7 million and details, including descriptions of the collections fleet for contract services, primarily for recycling collection and equipment,see Appendix A. transportation services. See Appendix A for the summary of 4.1 1 Residential Waste and current contracts. Recycling As of FY 2021, the County Solid Waste Landfill Fund had $6,324,039 in outstanding debt and a requirement of The Solid Waste Management Department operates the $7,346,899 for closure/post-closure of its landfills. The Fund County's Integrated Solid Waste Management facility,located expended about$1.15 million in new capital expenditures,paid at 1518 Eubanks Road, and contains the following facilities for primarily by transferring funds from the operating budget. and operations: At the close of FY 2021,the balance in the Solid Waste Landfill • Construction and Demolition Landfill Fund was$11,032,195. • Regulated Material Recycling Consolidation area 4 - Solid Waste • Mulch/Compost management area Management • Equipment Maintenance facilities • Department's administrative offices System Inventory • Single-stream consolidation and transfer facility The Current Systems Review also took an in-depth look at the • Rigid plastics consolidation and baling area existing collections policies and practices,including a description • Tires consolidation and transload site of the current collections routes and fleet information. Orange County,North Carolina 10 •• . • CALIIYFI}' August 2023 13 The Department also manages the County's comprehensive 4.2 I Commercial a n d Recycling Collection Programs for residential and commercial Institutional Waste entities. A component of the residential recycling program includes the County's operation of five(5)Waste and Recycling For commercial recyclables collection,Orange County provides Centers(WRCs)located throughout the County,which are free single-stream recycling collection (subject to available to residents to collect conventional single-stream recycling funding) to all bars, restaurants, and other commercial and corrugated cardboard. Four(4)of the WRCs are available establishments in the county. The County provides collection to residents 24 hours per day. In addition to their typical for all local government buildings and Orange County Water household recyclables (for instance plastics, metals, glass, and Sewer Authority (OWASA) buildings. The Public Schools paper,and cardboard),two (2) of them include opportunities are serviced through fee-based contracts negotiated directly for residents to drop off Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) with the individual school system.'Collection of MSW from all and food waste. commercial establishments,businesses,and industrial centers The collection of trash(also known as municipal solid waste or is provided by private waste collection companies,and the total MSW)is provided to County residents by the towns themselves. amount of commercial and industrial MSW which is collected in The specific programs offered, the service levels, the amount the county is unknown at this time. of material managed,and the collection costs vary by town.To view the residential collection services offered by each town 4.3 Construction & and in the unincorporated areas, including the locations that Demolition Waste each town delivers their collected materials to after collection, The Countyoperates a Construction and Demolition(C&D)waste as well as the prices charged per ton,see Appendix A. landfill at the Eubanks Road Facility.The Landfill is permitted The County provides single-stream recycling collection services by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for residential households, multifamily units, commercial (NC DEQ) and is in Phase 2 of its development. For further business locations,and government buildings in the Towns of information about the C&D program, including the amount of Carrboro,Hillsborough,and Chapel Hill through an agreement C&D waste disposed of by residents and commercial haulers,as with GFL. Recycling carts are provided at no charge to each well as the operating hours and disposal fees,see Appendix A. residence. Single-stream recyclables are collected from these Through discussions with County operations management,it is urban areas by GFL weekly and in rural areas(outside of the understood that C&D waste generated in the County is disposed incorporated limits)on a biweekly basis by the Orange County of in several C&D facilities in and adjacent to the County.A more Solid Waste Management Department. Both GFL and the thorough evaluation of C&D facilities other than the County's County deliver the single-stream recyclables to the County's will yield a better understanding of the present C&D waste Eubanks Road facility for subsequent transfer to the WM tonnages generated in the County. An additional opportunity material recovery facility(MRF)in Raleigh,NC. to capture C&D waste tonnage information would arise from The total costs of the MSW,recycling,and yard waste collection the reactivation of the County's hauler licensing and annual programs, including the costs of tonnage collection, disposal, reporting ordinance. overhead, and cost per household, are outlined in detail in Appendix A. Interlocal Agreement-Co.and Towns 2018.Appendix B.provided by Orange County Solid Waste Department Orange County,North Carolina Solid Waste Master Plan:The Road to Zero WasteRArG ORANGE 11 August 2023 ( 0UIYCOUNTY 14 4.4 1 Green Waste the quality of the material through reduced contamination and yields more efficient recycling.In addition to the glass collected The County operates a yard waste (or "green waste") from residents,a large quantity of the glass is collected through management program that consists of WRCs and drop-off this program comes from nearby restaurants and bars. collection points. For larger loads of yard waste, there is a Orange County is in partnership with Alamance County and drop-off location at the landfill on Eubanks Road.Materials are Durham County for the glass recycling program. Alamance self-hauled by residents or delivered by commercial haulers.A and Durham bring their glass to the Orange County Glass total of 8,714 tons of green waste was accepted in 2020-2021. Consolidation Area,where it is weighed, aggregated and then Further details regarding the mulch collection,processing,and sent to Strategic Materials in Wilson,NC.S sale of finished mulch products are included in Appendix A. 4.5 1 Food Waste 4.7 1 Special Wastes Special Waste includes materials collected at the WRCs Residential food waste is accepted at both County-operated distinct from Household Hazardous Waste and includes used and County-supported drop-off centers, such as the Carrboro motor oil, used oil filters, used antifreeze, lead-acid and dry Farmer's Market, Chapel Hill Farmer's Market, Hillsborough cell batteries, fluorescent bulbs/lights containing mercury, Farmer's Market, and the Eubanks Road and Walnut Grove propane tanks, and used cooking oil/waste vegetable oil. Church WRCs.Food waste collection is available to a portion of Total amounts of special wastes collected are available in the restaurant,food preparation,supermarket,and other pre- Appendix A. and post-consumer approved commercial locations that meet a County-established minimum monthly generated threshold 4.7.1 Tires and can adhere to quality requirements and accessibility.Food Tires collected at WRCs are picked up based on an agreement waste dropped off and managed at County centers is collected with New River Tire Recycling,LLC,in Surry County.The term of under contract by Brooks Contractor, a private composting the agreement is May 1, 2017,through April 30, 2022,with a company with a compost facility in Chatham County. Further new,two-year extension ending April 30,2024. New River Tire details regardingthe food waste collection,processing,and sale Recycling is required to provide all trailers and labor needed to of finished compost are included in Appendix A. load the tires onto the trailers. However, the tires are loaded onto trailers and then delivered by the County staff to the 4.6 1 Glass company's facility in Pilot Mountain, NC, for processing. The The County offers a separate glass recycling program called Glass processed tires are converted to tire-derived fuel,aggregate,or mulch products. Plastic bags are collected at Orange County's on the Side(GOTS).Glass recycling dumpsters are available at all five (5) Waste and Recycling Centers and at all four(4) of WRCs and are collected for recycling by Harris Teeter,a regional the 24-hour drop off sites.These dumpsters accept glass bottles chain of grocery stores.Interstate batteries collects car and dry cell batteries. and jars.The separated glass is then sent to a glass processor in Wilson, INC,to be turned into new products, including bottles and jars,fiberglass insulation, sand-blasting media, reflective paint beads, and more. Keeping the glass separate improves 'Website forStrategicMaterials,httgi&mmy.smi comL Orange County,North Carolina 12 ORANGE � Solid Waste Master Plan: The Road to Zero Waste COUNTYC0IINT}' August 2023 15 4.7.2 Electronics 4.7.5 White Goods/Appliances As of 2021, Orange County uses a state contract with Synergy The total tonnage of the County's white goods (appliances) is Recycling in Rockingham County as the recyclerfor the county's available in Appendix A. Clean Harbors CR Supply Company received electronic waste (or"e-waste"). In 2019, the County in Durham is the firm used as the processer.The white goods used the services of Ecycle Secure in Mecklenburg County, NC, are sent to Metal Recyclers in Charlotte for recycling after the under a state contract. Synergy Recycling and Ecycle Secure County removes the Freon from appliances. offer end-of-life processing, including manual or mechanical In 2022, GBB staff conducted on-site visits to the County's disassembly of electronic waste and disposal of unrecyclable current landfill and transfer station facilities. A detailed materials.The County does perform primary deconstruction at description of the observations made regarding conditions the Eubanks Road Operations Facility,separating the electronic and operations at the County's existing facilities, including the materials into the base material,which can then be palletized Eubanks Road Facilities,the Consolidation and Transfer(North and sent on to Synergy. Facility),the Eubanks Road South Closed MSW Landfill,and the 4.7.3 Hazardous Household Waste Eubanks Road Active C&D Landfill,can be found in Appendix A. (HHW) The County provides HHW collection at the Eubanks Road and Walnut Grove WRCs.This program services an estimated 12,432 residents based on FY 2021 information.' Materials are self- hauled by residents to the two permanent drop-off locations— Eubanks Road and Walnut Grove Church Road WRCs.During FY 2021,the County contracted with several private companies to manage the collected HHW, including Interstate,Tradebe,and CleanLites. Noble Oil offers used oil recycling in which the oil is converted into lubricant and oil filter recycling. CleanLites provides battery recycling services, and Tradebe offers safe hazardous waste disposal,including chemical reuse and solvent distillation, compressed gas cylinder management, and high eAppendixB:InterlocalAgreement-Co.and Towns 2018 hazardous waste disposal.About 208,196 pounds of HHW were Orange County Local GovernmentAnnua/Report Form 2020-21 FINAL-Botteryadj accepted at WRCs in FY 2020-2021.' 9-01-2021 4.7.4 Bulky Wastes/Furniture Bulky rigid plastics are brought from the WRCs to the facility at 1518 Eubanks Road.At the Eubanks Road facility, the rigid plastics are baled and loaded into semi-trailers by the County, and WM collects the semi-trailers with their trucks.Other large bulky waste and furniture are collected at the WRCs, brought (Forpoge 14) to the Eubanks Road facility, and then brought to the WM eInterlocalAgreement-Co.and Towns 2018.Appendix B.provided by Orange County Solid Waste Department MRF by Orange County personnel. While film plastics are not IInterloca/Agreement-Co.and Towns 2018.Appendix B.providedby Orange County considered bulky wastes,the film is baled at Eubanks Road and Solid Waste Department sent to Harris Teeter for recycling. 10A-Z Recycle Guide:https:11www.orangecountync.govll5OlA-z-Recycle-Guide Orange County,North Carolina Solid Waste Master Plan:The Road to Zero Waste ORANGE August 2023CG�7Y }' COUNTY NORTHSOLID WASTE 16 5 - County Landfill and Transfer Station Facilities 5.1 1 Waste and Recycling . Cedar Falls Park at 401 Weaver Dairy Road,Chapel Hill,NC Centers and Drop-off 27516 Locations • Hampton Pointe:Behind Home Depot,at 625 Hampton Pointe Blvd,Hillsborough,NC 27278 Residents can drop off household materials at one of the five(5) . Meadowmont:Behind Harris Teeter,at 116 West Barbee staffed Waste and Recycling Centers(WRCs): Chapel Rd,Chapel Hill,NC 27517 • Eubanks Road Waste and Recycling Center in Chapel Hill, The operational aspects of the WKS and drop-off locations, • Walnut Grove Church Waste and Recycling Center in including signage and labeling, containers capacity and Hillsborough, condition, and other details, are discussed in Appendix A. • Bradshaw Quarry Road Center in Mebane, A summary of materials accepted at all WRCs is included in Appendix C-Integrated Systems Report. • Ferguson Road Center in Chapel Hill,and • High Rock Road Center in Efland locations. 5.2 1 Material Recovery These centers are available for all Orange County residents to Facilities drop off materials like household waste, plastic film, batteries, The privately owned and operated material recovery facilities oil, oil filters, antifreeze, electronics, hazardous waste, clean- (MRFs)and transfer stations that the County works with for its dry paper, metal cans, glass bottles, and jars, plastic bottles/ collected single-stream recyclables are described in Appendix tubs/cups, drink/milk cartons, cardboard, aerosol cans, A.These facilities include: aluminum foil/trays, and food waste.' The collected single- stream materials at the centers include clean-dry paper, metal WM's Recycle America material recovery facility(MRF)in cans, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles/tubs/cups, drink/ Morrisville,NC, milk cartons,cardboard,aerosol cans,and aluminum foil/trays.' • WM Transfer Station at Globe Road in Morrisville(co- Orange County's Solid Waste Management A-Z Recycle Guide10 located with the MRF),and is available to residents and provides information on managing . GFL's Durham Transfer Station. items and diverting as many as possible from the landfill. Orange County also operates three (3) recycling drop-off locations that are free and available to residents and businesses 24 hours per day, 7 days per week for the collection of conventional single-stream recycling and corrugated cardboard only. Accepted streams include single-stream recyclables, cardboard, and separate glass recycling(GOTS program).The locations of the drop-off facilities are: Orange County,North Carolina 14 COUNTYCAll1Y1}' August 2023 17 5.3 1 Mulching and these sites throughout the year and will also work with interested Composting Facilities organizations, schools, or businesses to provide composting education on a desired basis.All these educational opportunities Orange County works to divert yard waste ("green waste") and are provided at no charge to the public. food waste(or"food scraps")from the landfill.Both mulch and compost are created and sold for use in garden and landscape 5.4 Enforcement projects throughout the County.The mulch is made by the County The Towns authorize enforcement of the County's Regulated from clean yard waste that is brought to the landfill by residents, Recyclable Material Ordinance (RRMO) within each town's local government collection programs, and contractors of the municipal limits.12 Each town may assist in the enforcement of County,and is processed atthe Eubanks Road Operations Facility. the County's RRMO within their jurisdiction using their staff in The mulch is also sold in bulk at this facility. coordination with the County.The Towns monitorwaste collection The compost is produced by Brooks Contractors, a commercial for banned materials to prevent the delivery of banned materials composting firm located in Goldston, North Carolina. Food for disposal.The County provides solid waste plan advice,review, waste material is collected in the County's various food waste and approvals in concert with development applications to the collection programs and combined with other organic materials, Towns.The County assists the Towns'staff in enforcing the RRMO such as manure,wood chips,and agricultural wastes,to create and landfill bans on privately collected waste containers. The the feedstock for the finished compost product.CompostNow is Town of Chapel Hill shall,by whatever means are legally required, contracted with Brooks to collect food waste. authorize the County to provide the Services within that part of Orange County hosts organic food and food-related paper the town situated in Durham County. waste drop-offs at the Walnut Grove Church Road and Eubanks The County, in cooperation with the Towns, is responsible for Road WRCs.The County also supports organic food and food- developing and timely submission of required annual reporting related paper waste drop-off at the Carrboro, Hillsborough, and solid waste management planning to the North Carolina and Chapel Hill Farmer's Markets.In addition to these drop-off Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ). The County opportunities for food waste,the County supports food waste also certifies Material Reclamation Facilities for C&D recycling collection from area restaurants, florists, and other higher processing. Materials from construction projects must comply generators of food waste. For residential use, the County with RRMO,and materials mustgo to certified facilities.Currently, sells compost bins" to the public through its Solid Waste the County has four(4)listed certified facilities. Management Department Administration Office and works to foster the development of at-home compost for individuals' yard waste, brown leaves, and kitchen fruit and vegetable scraps via robust education initiatives. Compost education is a County priority, as evidenced by the informative how-to materials available on the Solid Waste Management Department's website and its two (2) compost demonstration sites located at the Chapel Hill Community Center and the Orange County Solid Waste Management Administrative "Source:https//www.orangecountync.govl965/Mulch-Compost Office. Orange County offers composting education classes atInterlocalAgreement—County and Towns,2018.Retrievedfrom Orange Countys Solid Waste Management Department. Orange County,North Carolina Solid Waste Master Plan:The Road to Zero Waste •August 2023 (gbw COUNTY NORTHSOLID WASTE _i'E•.s's k 5 5.5 Permitting & Licensing G ,- Requirements of Future Facilities & Operations _t � .`' The County facilities and operations, as well as those of the private sector,are required to be permitted and licensed under several state and county regulations and ordinances for those that manage solid waste. Currently, the solid waste facilities - on Eubanks Road are permitted under a life of site permit - (NCDEQ Solid Waste Permit 68-01)and the active C&D landfill is permitted to operate under NCDEQ Solid Waste Permit 68-04. r Any changes,such as expansions of operations,or the addition �3 = •-t�iF of new activities, will require modification of the existing permit. In addition,the facility also has an NPDES stormwater permit for solid waste facilities issued by the NCDEQ Division of " Water Resources. The various waste and recycling centers around the County do not require NCDEQ Solid Waste Section permitting. However, _ the HHW facilities at the Eubanks and Walnut Grove Facilities , are permitted.In addition,if the activities on these sites change from the current activities, additional permitting may be required.All Sites operated by Orange County Solid Waste are subject to current zoning regulations of the location in which they are located (Town of Chapel Hill, Town of Hillsborough, Orange County,etc.). t A __ •� 1. _ -- ' �t Orange1North1 16 ORANGE C4llAITY Road • August 2023 19 6 - The Road to Zero Waste The impact of the Plan focuses on increasing recycling plus the Control—The County does not currently control all aspects diversion of yard and food waste tonnages.The key factors for a of solid waste collection. Zero Waste future in Orange County are as follows: • MSW is currently only collected from WKS and from • Change—In order to achieve Zero Waste,it will be necessary select government buildings and schools. to implement system-wide changes.If the recommended • Food Waste Collection sites are particularly dependent actions are not undertaken,the 2045 Zero Waste Goal will upon the Farmers Markets remaining open in their not be achievable. current locations,otherwise they may have to move, • Population Growth—As noted in Section 3 above,the which would have a negative impact on program use. County's population is projected to increase by 18%from . The County can build upon the success of its current food 2020 to 2040.With a higher population comes more waste waste collection at restaurants and bars. materials and disposal to manage. • Eubanks Road Disposal Facility—Future facility investment • Based on population waste generation estimates,there is critical for County control of materials including MSW. should be more MSW attributable to Orange County and the At present,there are significant limitations at the Eubanks Towns than is captured and processed bythem presently Road Disposal Facility,which are coupled with adjacent because MSW collection is handled bythe municipalities community concerns. and/or under private waste collection and disposal. • Recognizing the present limited collection of MSW,the County has the most control over increasing and tracking the diversion of recyclables and yard/food waste. • Triangle J Consortium—Continued collaboration between the County and Triangle J on solid waste issues. • Recycling Collection—The County takes over urban recycling collection,beginning in July 2024. • C&D Landfill—Extend the life of the landfill via diverting more recyclables from C&D material.The C&D Landfill has 20+years of life remaining at the current fill rate,so managing C&D waste will become increasingly critical moving forward. Orange County,North Carolina Solid Waste Master Plan:The Road to Zero Waste � RAN,GE ORANGE August 2023 COUNTY 20 6.1 1 Road to Zero Waste Scenarios and Recommendations Three scenarios were developed to help guide the County in advancing an effective Road to Zero Waste strategy.The three scenarios require varying degrees of infrastructure,funding,and programming.The evaluation of recommendations includes the following elements:public input,financial impacts,environmental impacts,equity impacts,and lifecycle impacts.They are listed as follows: No current facility changes,no new programs,and current program adjustments.Includes an additional 4full-time employees and $200,000 estimated to cover materials and fees.-LOWESTCOST,LEASTIMPACT. Recommendation Update website/zero waste imagery,feature increased transparency;Ongoing public 1l1 Marketing education&social media posting;Expand use of the app;Create tangible rallying point with interim success indicator in 2030. 1 B Marketing Focus on all language speakers in signage/messaging. 1C Waste Prevention Raise awareness on reuse and waste prevention(refillables). 1 D Policy Advocate for more material bans and revise solid waste ordinance. 1E Policy Create County-level commercial and multifamily recycling requirements. 1F Partnerships Innovation partnerships with UNC and UNC health system. 1G Waste Prevention County purchasing for waste prevention and ag related to food waste. Consider becoming part of resuse marketplace.Options: 1.Materials Marketplace,a national virtual platform that facilitates connections to advance waste diversion of hard-to-recycle waste and by-products to become raw 1H Waste Prevention materials. 2.North Carolina DEQ NC Waste Trader,a free staff-managed materials marketplace for post-industrial waste and surplus commodities with markets. ► Scenario 1 leads to an additional 15,000 tons of material diverted from the landfill. ► The total annual cost of Scenario 1 is$628,438.The impact on the SWPF would be$9.66 per Household per year. COUNTYOrange County,North Carolina ORANGE 60 Solid Waste Master Plan: The Road to Zero Waste 21 Assumes all recommendations from Scenario 1 have been implemented and includes new recommendations,an additional 2 full-time employees,and$500,000 estimated to cover materials and fees.-MEDIUM COST,B/GGER/MPACT. Recommendation1 Gain consistency across all items accepted at WRCs; Expand or remove 2A Facilities items accepted at some locations to ensure consistency across all drop-off centers and/or alternate location(s). 2B Enforcement Enforcement at WRCs(to prevent illegal dumping,contamination). 2C Facilities More accessible drop-off options/locations for multifamily buildings. 2D Programs Optimize recycling route collection starting June 2024. 2E Programs Offer multiple cart/bin sizes. 2F Programs Create model programs across all schools for metal,paper,plastic, glass,food waste,etc. 2G Waste Prevention Expand permitting incentives for deconstruction. ► Scenario 2 leads to an additional 31,000 tons of material diverted from the landfill. ► The total annual cost of Scenario 2 is$665,600.The impact on the SWPF would be$10.23 per Household per year. ► Scenario 2 also includes$100,000 in year 1 to study multi-family drop-off locations. Orange County,North Carolina Solid Waste Master Plan:The Road to Zero Waste R14 �7 • 19 August 2023 �Ll11111' COUNTY 22 Includes current facility changes including development of a Sustainable Materials Management(SMM)campus,some new programs, and current program adjustments.It is estimated to cost$175,000 master plan fees,as well as$7M-$12M for the new facility assuming no need to purchase property and$250,000 for equipment,plus the addition of 5 full-time employees.Scenario 3 also includes$1.4M for organics program development.-H16HESTCOST,B166EST/MPACT. Recommendation1 3A Facilities Initiate Phased Master Plan for Eubanks Road and/or alternate location(s). 3B Facilities Remove high-value recyclables from C&D material before landfilling. 3C Facilities Consolidation of SSR transfer and MSW transfer. 3D Programs Organics evaluation for collection volumes. ► Scenario 3 leads to an additional 47,000 tons of material diverted from the landfill. ► The total annual cost of Scenario 3 is$2,422,100—$2,790,100.The impact on the SWPF would be$37.21—$42.87 per Household per year. Scenario 3,which includes the recommendations for both Scenario 1 and Scenario 2, is the recommended chosen path forward for advancing Zero Waste in Orange County. Orange County,North Carolina 20 •• � . COUNTYCAllNTYAugust 2023 23 Each scenario builds Recommendations upon includesScenario 2 d. listed tableThe following addition recommendations outlinedindividual recommendation with specific details to follow in second scenario,and Scenario 3 includes all the recommendations Appendix C -Integrated Systems Report. listed in both the first and second Scenarios in addition to the Scenario 1 is the least expensive and least impactful, and recommendations in the third Scenario. mediumScenario 3 has the highest cost with the most significant zero waste impact. Scenario 2 has a p. more significant than Scenario 1 but less than Scenario 3. Scenario # Recommendation 1 Update Marketing(imagery;Public education&social media);Create a rallying point. 2 Focus on all language speakers insignage/messaging. 3 Raise awareness on reuse and waste prevention. 4 Advocate for more material bans and revise the solid waste ordinance. ONE 5 Create County-level commercial and multifamily recycling requirements. 6 Innovation partnerships with UNC and UNC health system. 7 County purchasingforwaste prevention/soil health. 8 Consider becoming part of a reuse marketplace. 9 Consistency across items accepted at WRCs(with exception of HHW). 10 Enforcement at WRCs(with staff and/or security cameras). 11 More accessible drop-off options/locations for multifamily buildings. TWO 12 Offer multiple cart sizes. 13 Create model programs across schools fIMPwastereduction,recycling,and composting. 14 Implement deconstruction ordinance updates/facility audits/collect C&D recycling data. 15 Phased Master Plan for Eubanks Road(Admin/Disposal Center)and/or alternate location(s). THREE 16 Consolidation of SSR transfer and MSW transfer. 17 Organics program development. Orange County,North Carolina Solid Waste Master Plan:The Road to Zero Waste ORANGE August 2023 COUNTY SOLID WASTE NORTH CAROLINA 24 6.3 1 Description of information,in the top three(3)most spoken languages among residents within the County's service area.This can be achieved Recommendations using nearby or national translators in combination with U.S. 6.3.1 Recommendation #1: Update Census data. Additionally, full utilization of the North Carolina Marketing (imagery; Public state resources will be critical. Education & Social Media); Achieving this recommendation means:focusing on all language Create a Rallying Point speakers in signage/messaging(fullyutilizing State resources)and Recommendation #1 includes updating Orange County's serving all community members. website's Solid Waste Management page, an essential tool for engaging residents in effective zero-waste practices. As such, this recommendation focuses on updating the website to show USE THE growth, progress, and revised guidance with updated images of recent events, recent office changes, updates to solid waste FaodNCr policies,and implementing the Road to Zero Waste Plan. FOOD WASTE STOPS WITH ME GBB recommends that the County continuously use and Figure 2•North Carolina's statewide food waste prevention update its website to show a clear, consistent, and engaging campaign isavailable in16languages. message. The publishing and posting of correlating social media posts are also recommended. Since the 2045 goal is 20 years away, the County should target interim indicator(s) of success in 2030, aligning with established education and business community goals. Achieving this recommendation means updating the website with zero waste imagery;featuring increased transparency about where materials are going once collected; ongoing public education and social media posting; expanding the use of the current Orange County NC Recycles App;creating a tangible interim zero waste rallying point for the community. 6.3.2 Recommendation #2: Focus on All Language Speakers in Signage/Messaging Recommendation #2 focuses on multilingual signs, which are important for the diverse community that the County serves. By guiding in multiple languages, the County will ensure that residents can understand the disposal information that the County seeks to convey to the community.This recommendation includes providing all interpretive educational materials, such as signs at the WRCs, brochures, mailers, cart decals, email blasts, and other County-provided solid waste and recycling COUNTYOrange County,North Carolina CAll1YFT}' August 2023 25 6.3.3 Recommendation #3: Raise The addition of Extended Producer Responsibility(EPR)language Awareness on Reuse and to the Ordinance is recommended to support the County's Waste Prevention sustainability goals through shifting the disposal burden of a Recommendation#3 focuses on planning and policies on waste product awayfrom the municipalityand backtothe manufacturer. prevention to help eliminate waste at the source. Preventing In May 2022, a House Bill, (H.B. 111313), was introduced to waste and reusing materials are thefirst steps in a comprehensive the General Assembly of North Carolina to establish extended zero-waste program. Successful waste prevention requires producer responsibility for certain producers of packaging creative and analytical thinking first about how a reduction in materials and to ban the manufacture and distribution of materials can be accomplished,and then what can be done to packaging materials containing certain toxic substances to protect reuse the materials that have been used once.For example,the public health.This is one example of utilizing EPR to accomplish County can collaborate and leverage partnerships with existing waste reduction goals in North Carolina, which Orange County organizations such as www.bagandfilmrecycling.org, which is could support and emulate. a drop-off directory for individuals to find participating drop- In coordination with proposing revisions to the currentsolid waste off locations for free plastic bags, film, and wrap recycling. If management regulations,it is suggested that the County advocate "Orange County NC"is entered into the search engine,13 active for material bans. Items such as film plastic bags or expanded locations appear. polystyrene foam food packaging have been successfully banned The County could review the resource's suggestions and in otherstates at present,which the Countycould lookto as model potentially promote the locations and/or the resource to its program examples.Additionally,the County could advocate for residents through outreach and education efforts.To advance EPR legislation for difficult-to-dispose of items,which have also this recommendation,there are a number of free or low-cost been passed in other states,and shift the disposal responsibility edible food rescue applications for mobile or desktop devices from the municipality to the manufacturer.The national PaintCare geared to both individuals and businesses which the County could also be a program of interest in this regard.The County is can evaluate and implement(see Appendix E-Food Waste alreadyworkingwiththeTrianglej on the SoliclWaste Consortium, Applications). includingthe solid waste departments of Orange County,Durham Achieving this recommendation means raising awareness of reuse County,City of Durham,City of Raleigh,Chatham County,Town of and waste prevention,which is the highestpiece of the sustainable Cary,Wake County,and tentatively Holly Springs.This consortium materials management hierarchy. could prove useful for this recommendation moving ahead. 6.3.4 Recommendation #4: Advocate Achieving this recommendation means advocating for more for More Material Bans and material bans and revising the Solid Waste Ordinance to align with Revise Solid Waste Ordinance the Road to Zero Waste. Recommendation #4 includes updating the County's current Solid Waste Ordinance to amend and include new solid waste management regulations that better reflect the Road to Zero Waste Plan.These amended and new regulations could clarify the requirements, update and simplify terminology, enhance reuse and recycling opportunities, and enforce recycling protocols to "Source:General Assembly of North Carolina Session 2023.haps.//www.ncleg.gou/ advance the County's zero waste goals. Sessions/2023/Bills/House/PDF/H279vl.pdf Orange County,North Carolina Solid Waste Master Plan:The Road to Zero Waste ORANGE23 August 2023 '��fNCOUNTY 26 6.3.5 Recommendation #5: Create 6.3.7 Recommendation #7: County-level Commercial and County Purchasing for Waste Multi-family Building Recycling Prevention/Soil Health Requirements Recommendation #7 encourages all purchasing at the County Recommendation #5 would develop formal requirements for level to include purchasing products made with a percentage of all commercial and multi-family buildings to separate recyclable recycled content(minimum 25%), which creates a demand for materials and provide tenants/occupants adequate recycling recycled products and helps sustain local recycling programs. In infrastructure (i.e. bins, dumpsters) alongside regular waste addition,this recommendation includes connecting agricultural/ disposal infrastructure. Additionally, the building managers soil services in the County or Cooperative Extension related to could be required to provide recycling information/guidance to food waste to build partnerships and promote using compost for all tenants/occupants. building soil health. Achieving this recommendation means creating County-level Achieving this recommendation means that the County will focus commercial and multifamily recycling requirements. its purchasing on waste prevention and establishing partnerships) 6.3.6 Recommendation #6: with local agricultural or Cooperative Extension programs to Innovation Partnerships with collaborate onfoodwaste/soil health initiatives. UNC & UNC Health System 6.3.8 Recommendation #8:join a Recommendation #6 emphasizes that the County continues Reuse Marketplace collaborating with and expanding its working relationships with Recommendation#8focuses on technology-driven reuse options. the Universityof North Carolina(UNC)and the UNC Health System There are numerous reuse marketplaces in the public and private locally. UNC is a large waste generator in the County's service sectors for consideration by the County. Examples include area.It already offers outreach resources and infrastructure that North Carolina's Waste Trader,Austin's reuse marketplace,and can help the County implement its Road to Zero Waste Plan and Tennessee's reuse marketplace. has engaged stakeholders through SWAG and other sustainability Achieving this recommendation means the County becomes efforts in the region,which the County should fully engage.UNC part of a reuse marketplace and diverts material from the and the UNC health system are vital resources concerning solid landfill forreuse. waste management. Expanding the partnership between the County and UNC involves ramping up communication between the entities through regularly scheduled on-campus meetings with stakeholders,as well as joint advertising and promotion of —- CUSTOM CYCLEPEOIAS waste information within the community,and for the County to connect Businesses R cganizakimsm &MEN yd Ca11Hnl�nity to e%chang@ allf�iU@,and consider formalizing for-credit internship opportunities for UNC r�� ® y1`ed,Ctvnalef"'@ students. Durham Tech should also be included in planning for • similar partnerships to UNC. Figure 3-Sample Reuse Technology from iWasteNot Systems Achieving this recommendation means furthering innovative partnerships with UNC and UNChealth system. Orange1Carolina • CALIIYI}' August 2023 27 6.3.9 Recommendation #9: could potentially reconsider the viability of collecting and selling Consistency Across Items #1 PET into the recycled commodity market.With respect to the Accepted at WRCs collection of PET containers, there have been advancements Recommendation #9 is to develop one standardized list of in reverse vending technology for the County's consideration acceptable items for drop-off at all of Orange County's Waste at WRCs or by partnering with grocery stores to place reverse and Recycling Centers(WRCs),exceptfor HHW.As outlined in the vending machines throughout the community. These machines accepted materials table in Appendix C-Task 5 Memo,there can collect a variety of recyclable packaging types, including#1 would be 2-7 items added at each of the WRCs(excluding HHW), PET containers. including two new items suggested for all locations: expanded Achieving this recommendation means gaining consistency polystyrene(EPS,#6)and clamshell-style containers made from across all items accepted at WRCs and, ideally, expanding the polyethylene terephthalate(PET,#1). list of accepted materials to align with waste diversion goals and Expanded Polystyrene(EPS)is a type of thermoformed foam public demand. plastic material that is commonly used to make foam packaging. EPS is used to make a variety of items,such as single-use cups, plates, and shipping materials like "packing peanuts" and The Recycling Partnership has organized a PET customized foam shipping inserts for specialty or delicate goods. Recycling Coalition,and is currently sponsoring PET Currently,EPS is not recyclable in Orange County,however,there Recycling Grants(Round 7 of grants are due July 31, are options for recycling it and reselling it into the commodity 2023)for publicity,privately,or non-profit-owned market. EPS densifiers can be purchased or leased monthly and operated material recovery facilities(MRFs), and installed with other recycling equipment to remove the air secondary sortation facilities,or PET reclaimers in from EPS (which makes up between 90 and 98 percent of the North America. material) using either heat or pressure to produce a densified Learn more about this at recyclingpartnership.org/ plastic material.According to several providers of equipment and pet-recycling-coalition/ brokers of densified EPS,a 200-to 300-pound-per-hour densifier can be leased for approximately$900 per month,and densified EPS can be sold for about$0.40 per pound. Depending on the specification and configuration of the equipment,the costs may be more or less. Clamshell-style containers are thermoformed from plastics, such as EPS and PET.Typically, consumers encounter clamshell containers made of#1 PET at grocery stores in the produce,dairy, and dry goods sections to hold foods such as berries, lettuce, nuts,eggs,and baked goods.In fact,the containers are commonly known as "berry boxes" and "plastic egg crates." Fortunately, there are PET reclaimers throughout the United States, with many of them located in the Southeast.There are multiple PET reclaimers in North Carolina, as described by the NationalvtistofPETreclaimersintheUS:httos//napcor.com/recyc/inglpet-reclaimersl Association for PET Container Resources(NAPCOR)'^.The County Orange County,North Carolina Solid Waste Master Plan:The Road to Zero Waste ORANGE25 August 2023 YCOUNTY 28 6.3.10 Recommendation #10: 6.3.12 Recommendation #12: Offer Enforcement at Unstaffed Multiple Cart Sizes WRCs: Staff and/or Cameras Recommendation #12 suggests offering recycling carts of In the present system,the Towns authorize enforcement of the multiple sizes to customers.Offering more than one size option County's Regulated Recyclable Material Ordinance (RRMO) makes recycling easier for residents who require smaller cart within their municipal limits. The County assists the Towns' sizes for accessibility.Multiple cart sizes could lead to increased staff members in enforcing the RRMO and landfill bans on participation in recycling. privately collected waste containers. Recommendation #10 Achieving this recommendation means offering multiple cart is to expand the enforcement at each drop-off site through sizes to increase participation by increasing accessibility to aging improved surveillance, (additional security cameras), and/or or disabled customers. the addition of full- or part-time personnel (staff) positions to oversee residents' and the follow-through of regulations. 6.3.13 Recommendation #13: Model This recommendation means enforcing that residents drop off Waste Diversion Programs acceptable items only(especially at the unstaffed 24-hour sites) Across Schools and that they place the materials into the correct containers to A strong and consistent waste reduction, composting, and reduce contamination and increase the value of the materials. recycling program within schools would become a key This effort will also serve as an added opportunity to provide driver for implementing zero-waste models in the County. waste guidance and education. Recommendation #13 focuses on educating the community's children on proper sorting and recycling habits in school. As Achieving this recommendation means implementing enforcement they grow up in the County,they will already understand and at WRCs(illegal dumping, littering and contamination) through may be accustomed to best practices in recycling,as deemed by additionalstaff and/orsecuritycameras. the County.The ultimate success of the Road to Zero Waste Plan 6.3.11 Recommendation #11: will be supported by instilling good habits early.Additionally, Accessible Drop-off Options/ the school system generates a large amount of waste material, Locations for Multi-family having a model program across all schools will not only have Buildings educational benefits,but it will also help the County reduce and Recommendation #11 increases the number of drop-off manage its waste. opportunities within proximity to multi-family buildings and Achieving this recommendation means creating model programs lower-income areas in the Countyto increase the convenience across all schools for managing recyclables,and that is mirrored and accessibility of recycling infrastructure for those who at the WRCs. live there and may not be able to travel to the current WRC locations. Achieving this recommendation means more accessible drop-off options/locations for multifamily buildings. Orange County,North Carolina 26 • Road to Zero Waste • August 2023 29 6.3.14 Recommendation #14: 6.3.15 Recommendation #15: Phased Deconstruction Ordinance, Master Plan for Eubanks Updates, Audit/Collect C&D Road Facility (Admin/Disposal Recycling Data Center) and/or Alternate Since 2002,the County certifies processors for Construction and Location(s) Demolition (C&D)waste material. Materials from construction Recommendation #15 centers on the Eubanks Road facility projects must comply with the Regulated Recyclable Materials (including the Admin building and Disposal Center) which Ordinance(RRMO),and materials must go to certified facilities. currently has significant limitations and adjacent community Currently, the County has four (4) listed certified facilities concerns.There is a clear need to improve the Material Recovery for processing. Recommendation #14 focuses on ordinance Facility,including a new covered facility to address the transfer/ updates and more fully enforcing the current RRMO via audits processing of SSR and incorporate other material streams now and other means. separated. Co-located material recovery operations could gain Achieving this recommendation means expanding permitting staffing efficiencies in a single location. Master planning is incentives for deconstruction. The current C&D landfill has 20+ needed to relocate the Maintenance facility and yard to make years of life remaining at the current fill rate. Diverting more room for expanded processing. Alternative locations should be recyclables from C&D material will extend the life of the landfill. considered with community input. Achieving this recommendation means initiating a master plan for Eubanks Road Facility and/or alternate locations. Orange County,North Carolina Solid Waste Master Plan:The Road to Zero Waste RANGE ORANGE August 2023 ( o COUNTY z� NORTHSOLID WASTE 30 6.3.16 Recommendation #16: this recommendation, the County can aim to more efficiently Consolidation of SSR Transfer collect and transfer what is being collected(MSW and SSR)to other and MSW Transfer regional processing.MSW is now collected from WRCs and select Recommendation#16 presents a strategyfor the future.As noted, government buildings and schools(6,000 tons annually);however, the County cannot achieve Zero Waste without change;however, solid waste planning is taking placewith regional partners,and the most critically,community buy-in and support is vital to success. County is taking on recycling collection injuly 2024. Population growth is projected to be 18% from 2020 to 2040. Achieving this recommendation means more efficiently collecting Currently, the County does not control most of the residential material in the County to reduce vehicle miles traveled and allow waste collection nor commercial solid waste collection.Through the County more cost control in the future. r t; r- 0 rM a AkSW LF-- t;W {Lbsed� t; } J C 6.1 i r D C r W C A } Q 2 v F - 7M. Y K - Z ZZ - K 6 � W F II r -�J 0 240 480 980 1.440 9P0 FIGl1 RE Feet 1 Orange ORANGE 6� Solid Waste Master Plan:The Road to Zero Waste COUNTYFAYi7I! August CAROLINA ' 31 6.3.17 Recommendation #17: Organics Program Asheville,NC,has a food waste pilot featuring Development unique program elements including drop-off areas Recommendation #17 would expand the commercial which could be explored further in the County. organics program in place, in which the County provides Another model for consideration of a pilot program collection of compostables from bars, restaurants, and that the County could look to for guidance is the other eligible businesses throughout the County. Through Residential Food Waste Composting Pilot Program this recommendation, the County would double the current currently in place in the City of Fort Worth,Texas. commercial organics program cost as well as set the stage for a residential pilot program. In Fort Worth's pilot,interested residents can Concerning organics materials,the County maintains an existing sign up and pay a$20 subscription fee.All fees contract between the Solid Waste Management Department collected by the Residential Food Scrap Composting and Judy D. Brooks Contractor, Inc. for commercial organics Pilot Program are used to"make compost more accessible to agricultural producers and community collections, hauling,and processing services. In this agreement, gardens."After the subscription sign-up and the County oversees the contractor-approved collection and payment is processed,the City assigns the resident composting of pre-and post-consumer organic materials from a Composting Starter Kit pickup and a nearby City of eligible food service establishments.This recommendation also Fort Worth Drop-Off Station. intends to double the current collection beyond participating commercial establishments and start to plan a residential pilot. The starter kit includes a 5-gallon bucket with A residential pilot program should be implemented first to test a lid for food scraps transportation,a kitchen the process and work out the potential issues and will then be countertop pail,assorted educational materials and extended to other residential areas. instructions,and a refrigerator magnet detailing Additionally, to support composting,15 the County could what can and cannot be composted.Once a resident work with the Orange County Master Gardeners to roll out a drops off their food scraps at one of the 17 collection sites across the city,they bring their bucket back Master Composter program, (or train Master Gardeners in home to repeat the process,and the City processes outreach tools for Backyard Composting), through the North the material into compost. Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.t6 As a land- grant university, North Carolina State has an imperative to serve agriculture, which includes horticulture and home composting. For a point of reference,Washington, D.C., NYC, This additional compost support information is updated/anguagethat isdiJJerent and several counties throughout New York,through the Cornell from the Task 5 Memo,which is otherwise verbatim. 6 The point of contact is presently Mart Bumgarner,Extension Agent,Agriculture— Cooperative Extension, have Master Composter programs" Crops and Horticulture,N.C.Cooperative Extension,Orange County Center:matt. that could be mimicked. bumgorner@ncsu.edu;Phone:(919)245-1061. "Example Master Composter Program for reference in Tompkins County,NY: Achieving this recommendation means diverting food waste,the https.•/%cetompkins.org/gardening/composting/master-composters/become-a- most potentgreenhouse gas material,from the landfill. master-composter Orange County,North Carolina Solid Waste Master Plan:The Road to Zero Waste � RAN,GE ORANGE29 32 6.4 1 Evaluation of Recommendations Impact on Equity Impact Geography Lifecycle of Impacts all Recommendation Publicinput Adjacent (RE:One Orange Coverage Project Systems Equity Framework) Area Residences? Update imagery;PublicNeed improved —A — 1 Marketing education&social website/app;prioritize None Meets High Whole Quick win Annually Yes media;Expand app; making recycling easy County Creating rallying point. and accessible. Environmental Benefits/Air Quality (see Appendix for tonnage projections) Focus on all language Increased efforts are 2 Marketing speakers in signage/ needed,but more None Meets High Whole Quick win Annually Yes importantly,to make County Improved: messaging. recycling easy. Low estimate based on EPA: •Additional 15,000 tons of recycling Raise awareness Desire to put maximum •Additional 6,000 tons of organics 3 Waste on reuse and waste efforts toward None Meets High Whole Quick win Annually Yes Prevention prevention. preventing waste in the County first place. Advocate for more Desire to reduce or ban 4 Policy material bans and some items in hospitals None Meets Low Whole Long One-time YesAvoided revise the solid waste and schools. County ordinance. Create County-level Meets(w/ Improved: Mandating commercial more universal- Focuses on •-44,912 MTCO2E avoided s Policy commercial and &multifamily recycling None provided& Low Whole Medium One-time multifamily/ •Equivalent to 10,000 cars taken off multifamily recycling is a top choice. subsidized County business. the road requirements. services for MFEI) Innovation partnerships The current system 6 Partnerships with UNC and UNC works well but desires None Meets High Whole Ongoing Annually Yes health system. to be at the forefront of County waste innovation. Impact tons only) County purchasing for Prioritized waste Focuses Waste Wholey on county business � Prevention waste prevention and ag- prevention above all None N/A High CountShort One-time related to food waste. other activities. $9.66 operations. •6.8%increase over current Most important r $142/year 8 Waste Consider becoming part question:"How should None Meets Medium Whole Short One-time Yes Prevention of a reuse market place. waste be prevented, County reduced,or reused?" 'Timeline:Quick win(less than 1 year),1-2 years(short),3-5 years(medium),long 5+years(long) 33 Impact on Equity Impact Geography Impacts all Recommendation Public input Adjacent (RE:One Im Equity Framework)Orange Coverage Timeline* Lifecycle of Businesses& Systems M Area the Project Residences? Consistency across items Consistent schedule; Transportation Environmental Benefits/Air Quality expanded /Energy: Whole 9 Facilities accepted at WRCs(with carless;ex services/acpcess; reduction in Meets Low County Short One-time Yes (see Appendix fortormage projections) exception of HHW). additional materials. miles traveled. Improved: Enforcement at WRCs Necessary to enforce Mid-point estimate based on EPA: illegal dumping&cross NonMMY Whole •Additional 31,000 tons of recycling 10 Enforcement (with staff and/or contamination with e eets edium County Short One time es over now(not cumulative) security cameras). more focus. •Additional 16,000 tons of organics over now(not cumulative) More accessible drop Mandating commercial/ multifamily recycling i 1 Facilities -off options/locations for among the top 2 policies Focuses on None Meets Medium Short One-time multifamily buildings. Whole County Multifamily desired by respondents. Env.Benefits/GHG Avoided 12 Programs Offer multiple cart sizes. The current carts are None Meets Low Whole Short One-time Yes too big/heavy. County Improved: •-93,778 MTCO2 avoided •Equivalent to 21,000 cars taken off the road Create model programs Food waste collection Focuses 3 (ResidentialPrograms across all schools for at schools is among the None Meets High Whole Quick win One-time on K-12 metal,paper,plastic, top 2 public space focus County population n SWPF glass,food waste,etc. wanted. and staff. Impact , Implement Proactive C&D diversion deconstruction $19.89 14 Waste ordinance updates/ among the top 2 waste None Meets Low Whole Lon Annually Yes o Prevention p prevention areas of County g Y •Cumulative 14/o increase over facility audits/collect C&D focus wanted. $142/year recycling data. *Timeline:Quick win(less than 1 year),1-2 years(short),3-5 years(medium),long 5+years(long) O O34 N Impacton Equity Impact Geography Lifecycle of impacts all Environmental Benefits/Air Quality Recommendation Publicinput Adjacent (RE:One Orange Coverage the Project Businesses& (see Appendix for tonnage projections) Systems Equity Framework) M Area Residences? Improved: Low estimate based on EPA: •Additional 15,000 tons of recycling Transportation •Additional 6,000 tons of organics Phased Master Plan for Significant structural/ Meets(w/ /Energy: High estimate based on EPA: 15 Facilities Eubanks Rd(Admin/ layout limitations and potential implementation how Whale Medium One-time Yes g Disposal Center)and/or adjacent community p at alternative County •Additional 47,000 tons of recycling alternate location(s)0 . concerns. reduction in site only). over now(not cumulative) miles traveled. •Additional 26,000 tons of organics over now(not cumulative organics) Transportation Env.Benefits/GHG Avoided Consolidation of SSR The public wants a /Energy: Whole 16 Facilities transfer and MSW "sustainable materials potential Pending Medium CountMedium One-time Yes Improved: transfer. management center." reduction in y -142,644 MTCO2E avoided miles traveled. •Equivalent to 32,000 cars taken off the road. (ResidentialImpact on SWPF Overwhelming support Wastewater 17 Programs Organics program for increased food from removing pending High Whole Short Annually Yes development. waste management organics from County $57.10 to$62.76 efforts. landfill. •Cumulative 40.2%-44.2%increase over current$142/yr. "Timeline:Quickwin(less than 1 year),1-2 years(short),3-5 years(medium),long 5+years(long) 35 A summary of how each recommendation was evaluated The three scenarios presented in the previous sections,and their according to environment, equity, flexibility, cost, and recommendations contained within,require varying degrees of public input, as well as the financial impact and details of infrastructure, funding, and programming; the evaluation of each scenario, including tonnage projections, is enclosed as which has considered public inputandfinancial,environmental, Appendix C-Integrated Systems Report.The Road to Zero equity,and lifecycle impacts.Myriad stakeholders,paired with Waste project team recommends Scenario 3 as the chosen path the Solid Waste Advisory Group, will help to implement the forward for finalizing the Road to Zero Waste Plan. Road to Zero Waste Plan moving forward. 6.5 1 Moving Forward with Ultimately, the Plan seeks to optimize the solid waste system and enhance the sustainability, cost effectiveness, Equity i n Mind preservation of landfill airspace,and longevity of the system. While all the factors considered in the evaluation of each All program recommendations will need to be implemented recommendation were important, equity was considered with consideration of partnerships, public input, equity critical to the team in developing the Road to Zero Waste Plan. implications, and environmental/climate implications, in Of note and in alignment with the current Road to Zero Waste addition to the financial impact to the County and its residents. Plan, in July 2015, Orange County and the Towns of Chapel The County's Zero Waste goal by 2045 is not achievable without Hill and Carrboro partnered with the Jackson Center and change. Continued community buy-in and support will be essential to success. the Rogers-Eubanks Neighborhood Association to develop a proactive community plan in the Rogers-Eubanks neighborhood $ _ Appendices as sewer design and implantation progress was made. The partners proceeded to collaborate following the"Community- The following appendices are available individually at Orange First" organizing model, which involved community members County's webpage dedicated to its Road to Zero Waste Plan: as principal actors in assessing and determining the course www.orangecountync gov/3008/Road-to-Zero-Waste- of future planning. This plan is included as Appendix D - Master-Plan Mapping Our Community Future and can serve as an example of utilizing community input to better inform the design A.Current System Review(April 2022) of the Eubanks Road Waste&Recycling Center(WRC)expansion B.Public Engagement Summary Qanuary 2023) (Recommendation #15). The robust public outreach effort C.Appendix C-Integrated Systems Report that was engaged in this project supports the County's desire to D.Mapping our Community Future(From Rogers Road) achieve zero waste with equity in mind. 7 - Conclusion E.Food Waste Applications(August 2023) Orange County's forward-thinking Solid Waste Management Department operates a robust waste management program serving its residents and community members. The County seeks to implement recommendations to set the vision for an integrated solid waste management program leading to Zero Waste by 2045. Orange County,North Carolina Solid Waste Master Plan:The Road to Zero Waste ORANGE 33 August 2023 �UIII'1 i' COUNTY Lo S. 10 Im 6 ,a gra ur,r te f rn ):8 M 12 ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA AMEdW SOLID WASTE _- _ - - GBB Gershman,Brickner&Bratton,Inc. 8300 Boone Blvd,Suite 500 (703)573-5800 Thankyouforopportunity Vienna,VA 22182 gbbinc.com government and residentsOrange