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SOLID WASTE UPDATE

Solid Waste Section March 2001

Division of Waste Management

N. C. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources

The Solid Waste Section welcomes citizen feedback about waste management. This quarterly update is part of our effort to encourage this dialogue. Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Contact us at (919) 733-0692 or visit us online at http://www.wastenotnc.org

STAFF CHANGES

Dexter Matthews, Solid Waste Section Chief since 1991, was appointed March 1^st to the role of Acting Deputy Director for the Division of Waste Management. The Division of Waste Management has four sections: Solid Waste, Hazardous Waste, Superfund and Underground Storage Tanks. Matthew's new responsibilities include working with each of these sections.

Jim Coffey, who joined the Section in 1986 and became the Permitting Branch Head in 1990, has been named to replace Dexter as Acting Section Chief. No timetable has been set to fill these positions permanently.

FY 1999-2000 ANNUAL REPORT

Data from the most recent annual report shows North Carolina has increased the amount of solid waste disposed, while the amount of traditional recyclables diverted from the waste stream decreased. Economic growth and natural disasters are influencing the increase in waste disposed. The decrease in recyclables collected seems to suggest that participation in local recycling programs is declining and that local government recycling programs are losing their effectiveness.

The Division presented 19 findings based on the information and reports received. Here is a limited selection of the findings.

Waste disposal continues to increase rapidly.

Most of the waste in North Carolina is generated from counties with high populations and strong economic growth.
North Carolina continues to rely on out-of-state landfills for a portion of its disposal capacity.
Illegal disposal continues to be a problem, especially by construction, demolition and land-clearing contractors.
Recovery of some traditional recycling materials is declining.
Recycling market prices for most major recyclable commodities have been stable and do not indicate a lack of demand for collected materials.
Local government recycling efforts would be improved by increasing the number of new recycling processing facilities.
Disposal bans are effective and play a significant role in waste reduction.

As the issues surrounding solid waste management have grown more complex, solutions to the problems are not easily identified and lack consensus. Consequently, the Division recommended that a solid waste study committee be established to examine the issues presented.

The continued increase in disposal rates combined with absolute population growth could mean that North Carolina will have to dispose of nearly 13 million tons or nearly a ton and a half of waste for every citizen in the state by 2010. This forecast does not factor in the impact of natural disasters, such as a hurricane.

To view the entire report and its complete list of findings visit the Division's Web page at www.www.wastenotnc.org/

SENATE BILL 5

On January 25, 2001 SENATE BILL 5 was introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly. The bill is entitled AN ACT TO MAKE NORTH CAROLINA CLEAN AGAIN. This bill would add an additional section to the State's litter law that would allow law enforcement officers to issue a ticket with a specified fine for the infraction. Like a speeding ticket, the court appearance is waived if the fine is paid. Under the current law, an officer would actually have to appear in court for a judge to set a fine, which causes the law to go largely unenforced. To review the text of this bill, or to check its status visit the General Assembly Web site at http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/

LOCAL GOVERNMENT WEB PAGES

North Carolina counties and municipalities have Web pages that serve as an excellent reference for solid waste programs and ideas. Take a look at some of these Web pages to see what other local governments are doing to address solid waste in their community and help reach their solid waste reduction goals. The Web addresses and local governments are:

Cumberland County

http://www.co.cumberland.nc.us/

Iredell County

http://www.co.iredell.nc.us/

Town of Smithfield

http://www.smithfield-nc.com/

GO PAPERLESS

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For more information or technical assistance with the solid waste regulatory program, contact us.

Phone E-mail Fax

(919) 733-0692 first name.last name@ncmail.net (919) 733-4810

1646 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1646

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