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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGWWMC_MeetingSummary_10May2023_Approved The recording of the May 10, 2023 GWWMC meeting can be accessed at this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsBpAjvXXIH3IehwM-2UAb2KVSr5EHHq- ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION GROUNDWATER AND WASTE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING SUMMARY May 10, 2023 10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Yvonne Bailey, Chair Presiding The Groundwater and Waste Management Committee (GWWMC) of the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission (EMC) addressed the following at its May 10, 2023, meeting: GWWMC Members in Attendance: Ms. Yvonne Bailey, Chair Charles (Charlie) Carter, Vice-Chair Mr. David Anderson Dr. H. Kim Lyerly Ms. Elizabeth (Jill) Weese Other Commissioners in Attendance: Ms. Donna Davis Ms. Patricia “Pat” Harris Mr. John McAdams Others Present: Mr. Phillip T. Reynolds, Commission Counsel I. Preliminary Matters: 1. In accordance with North Carolina General Statute § 138A-15, Chair Bailey asked if any GWWMC member knew of any known conflict of interest or appearance of conflict with respect to any item on the May 10, 2023, GWWMC agenda. None of the members stated there was a conflict. 2. Commissioner Anderson made a motion to approve the March 8, 2023, GWWMC meeting minutes. Commissioner Carter seconded the motion. The vote taken was unanimous and the minutes from the March meeting were approved. II. Action Items - None GWWMC Meeting Summary Approval Date: July 12, 2023 May 10, 2023, Meeting Page 2 of 4 The recording of the May 10, 2023 GWWMC meeting can be accessed at this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsBpAjvXXIH3IehwM-2UAb2KVSr5EHHq- III. Information Items 1. Overview of Recycling and Materials Management (DEACS) Wendy Worley and Sandy Skolochenko Wendy Worley and Sandy Skolochenko, of the Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service, presented the information item of an overview of local government waste reduction activities and recycling markets. Wendy Worley, Section Chief for the Recycling and Materials Management Section, began the presentation with a brief introduction of the section, a non-regulatory group within the Department of Environmental Quality that provides local governments and recycling businesses throughout the state of North Carolina technical assistance, grants, data, and studies that help facilitate the diversion of solid waste material back into the economy. Ms. Worley then introduced Sandy Skolochenko who gave a thorough overview of the work that the Recycling and Materials Management Section does, with one of the responsibilities being statewide data collecting and report writing. One of the biggest reporting endeavors undertaken is the “Local Government Solid Waste and Materials Management Report”. This report, which is statutorily required on an annual basis for every local government in North Carolina, is completed online. The data compiled then becomes part of the annual consolidated waste management report. Ms. Skolochenko presented graphs and discussed disposal and recovery trends for recyclable materials, statewide. She compared yard waste versus other types of recycling and how trends change, as more municipalities initiate recycling programs, and stated that, currently, 54% of North Carolina households have access to curbside recycling. She also discussed the significance of items that are improperly disposed of in recycling bins and how, beginning in 2020, they began taking into account those non-recyclables and labeling them as contamination. This allowed data to more accurately reflect what makes it through the recycling facility and continues, as part of a circular economy, to the manufacturing process to be made into new products. She continued with additional examples of GWWMC Meeting Summary Approval Date: July 12, 2023 May 10, 2023, Meeting Page 3 of 4 The recording of the May 10, 2023 GWWMC meeting can be accessed at this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsBpAjvXXIH3IehwM-2UAb2KVSr5EHHq- environmental benefits of recycling as well as the economic impact of the growing recycling industry in terms of businesses and jobs created. Also mentioned were various grants that have been made available, and their impacts, as well as several major recycling investments made within private industry. In addition, an online tool has been made available to the public to make it easier to find local recyclers and, lastly, Ms. Skolochenko discussed the issue of food waste, its magnitude in landfills, and strategies to reduce food waste by engaging different partners, stakeholders, and the public at large. Following the presentation, Chair Bailey commented that recyclable waste recovery trends might be down during certain periods. With events such as hurricanes and other natural disasters, and the debris created, could those occurrences skew statistics? Ms. Worley responded that occurrences such as hurricanes and natural disasters can often skew numbers with regards to yard waste recovery, and that they try to divert yard debris and woody debris away from landfills if possible. Ms. Skolochenko confirmed that big storm events can have an impact on municipal solid waste and construction and demolition disposal. She also noted that the economy can affect trends as there was a big dip in the numbers during the last recession, as well, back in the period following 2008. Commissioner McAdams asked about the work being done concerning advocacy for recycling and whether that is part of the program itself. Ms. Worley responded that it is more of an educational role rather than advocacy. Educating the importance of recycling, how it impacts the economy, how it is a good thing to do and to make sure people have clear information as to how to participate in their community recycling programs. The primary goal is to get clear and accurate information about recycling out to the public. GWWMC Meeting Summary Approval Date: July 12, 2023 May 10, 2023, Meeting Page 4 of 4 The recording of the May 10, 2023 GWWMC meeting can be accessed at this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsBpAjvXXIH3IehwM-2UAb2KVSr5EHHq- Commissioner McAdams commented that people often put items in recycling that are not appropriate. How do these things impair the process of recycling? How can we, at the consumer level, be better educated about putting things into the recycling system and, in that way, improve the system outcomes? Ms. Worley responded that data does show that inappropriate items do make their way into recycling and then they are counted as contamination. It is important to make sure clear information is available at the consumer level. To address that the program works hard to provide support to local governments and other service providers, with different tools and outreach materials, on how to educate the public about recycling. As an example, she mentioned the MRFshed map, available online, that allows individuals to search, based on location, what items are accepted in recycling. IV. Upcoming Items 1. May 11, 2023, EMC Meeting Agenda Items - None 2. Future Committee Meetings: Upcoming Agenda Items for the GWWMC expected in July or September of 2023 (subject to change): • Information Item – DWR Overview of Groundwater Sampling V. Directors’ Remarks There were no remarks made by either Michael Scott, on behalf of DWM, or Richard Rogers, on behalf of DWR. VI. Closing Remarks With no further remarks, Chair Bailey adjourned the meeting.