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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.