2014-2024_StateSWMgmtPlan_Draft_2014-09-22

NORTH CAROLINA
SOLID WASTE AND
MATERIALS
MANAGEMENT PLAN
The State Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan is a
comprehensive plan required by state law which assesses the status of
solid waste and materials management in North Carolina while
providing new objectives and strategies to achieve environmental and
economic benefits for the next ten years.
2014-
2024

Draft: September 22, 2014
About the authors
The development of the 2014-2024 North Carolina Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan is an example
of a collaborative process that reflects the efforts of many parties, including: the public, Division of
Environmental Assistance and Customer Service staff (Scott Mouw, Rob Taylor, Joe Fitzpatrick) and Division
of Waste Management staff (Andrea Keller, Deb Aja, Michael Scott, Ellen Lorscheider, Ed Mussler, Tony
Gallagher, Jason Watkins and Dennis Shackelford).
2014-2024 North Carolina Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan

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Table of Contents
Acronyms.............................................................................................................................................................................. 5
ExecutiveSummary............................................................................................................................................................. 6
Chapter1: Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................
8
1.1 Legislative and Planning History............................................................................................................................
8
1.2 The 2014-2024 Plan.....................................................................................................................................................
9
1.3 Overview..................................................................................................................................................................... 9
1.4 Public Participation and Input...............................................................................................................................10
Chapter 2: Plan History - Review of Previous Ten Year Solid Waste Plan................................................................11
2.1 Initiatives from Previous Plan................................................................................................................................11
2.2 Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................................
17
Chapter 3: Overview of Current North Carolina Materials Management System...................................................18
3.1 Status and History of Disposal...............................................................................................................................18
3.2 Disposal Facilities, Capacity, and Siting...............................................................................................................19
3.3 Sources of Discarded Material................................................................................................................................
20
3.4 Discarded Materials Constituting Commodities.................................................................................................
21
3.5 Discarded Materials Requiring Disposal..............................................................................................................
22
3.6 Industrial Materials Requiring Disposal...............................................................................................................
23
Coal Combustion Wastes from Power Plants........................................................................................................
23
Shale Gas and Shale Oil Exploration and Production Industrial Wastes...........................................................
25
RegulatedMedical Waste.........................................................................................................................................
26
3.7 Brown Grease and Septage Management.............................................................................................................
27
3.8 Management of Compost........................................................................................................................................
28
3.9 Status of Disposal Bans...........................................................................................................................................
29
3.10 North Carolina Recycling Infrastructure and Economy...................................................................................
30
3.11 Emergency Response and Disaster Debris Management Program................................................................
31
3.12 Basis for Plan Elements.........................................................................................................................................
33
3.13 Synopsis...................................................................................................................................................................
37
Chapter4 Plan Elements...................................................................................................................................................
38
4.1 Plan Element: Facilities, Disposal, Permitting, and Compliance......................................................................
38
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Objective4.1.1 Shift from disposal..........................................................................................................................
38
Objective4.1.2 Evaluate landfills.............................................................................................................................
39
Objective 4.1.3 Focus on closed landfills.................................................................................................................
39
Objective 4.1.4 Focus on solid waste issues............................................................................................................40
Objective 4.1.5 Reduce illegal activities..................................................................................................................
40
4.2 Plan Element: Materials Management..................................................................................................................
41
Objective 4.2.1 Identify waste for diversion...........................................................................................................
41
Objective 4.2.2 Improve materials management....................................................................................................
42
Objective 4.2.3 Support recycling economy...........................................................................................................
42
4.3 Plan Element: Special Waste Management...........................................................................................................
43
Objective 4.3.1 Evaluate regulations........................................................................................................................
43
Objective4.3.2 Reduce toxicity.................................................................................................................................
44
Objective 4.3.3 Improve disaster debris response.................................................................................................
44
4.4 Plan Element: Customer Service/Training — Public Engagement.....................................................................
44
Objective 4.4.1 Provide assistance............................................................................................................................
44
Objective 4.4.2 Implement certifications.................................................................................................................45
Objective4.4.3 Develop training..............................................................................................................................45
Objective 4.4.4 Improve technology........................................................................................................................
46
Chapter5: Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................................
47
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Acronyms
2003-2013 Plan
ABC
CCP
CCR
CII
C&D
CRT
Department
FY
GIS
HB
HHW
HDPE
IHSB
LF
MRF
MSW
NC DEM
NC DENR
NC DOR
NC DOT
Plan
SB
Section
TDDS
TDDSS
- Update of the North Carolina Solid Waste Management Plan 2003 to 2013
- alcoholic beverage container
- coal combustion products
- coal combustion residuals
- commercial/industrial/institutional
- construction and demolition
- cathode ray tubes
- North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
- Fiscal Year
- geographic information systems
- House Bill
- household hazardous waste
- high density polyethylene
- Inactive Hazardous Sites Branch
- landfill
- material recovery facility
- municipal solid waste
- North Carolina Department of Emergency Management
- North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
- North Carolina Department of Revenue
- North Carolina Department of Transportation
- North Carolina 10-Year Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan 2014-2024
- Senate Bill
- Solid Waste Section
- temporary disaster debris sites or temporary disaster debris storage
- temporary disaster debris staging sites
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Executive Summary
The 2014 - 2024 North Carolina Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan (Plan) is a comprehensive plan
required by state law to assess the status of solid waste and materials management in North Carolina and
provide new objectives and strategies to achieve environmental and economic benefits for the next ten years.
The first Plan was adopted in 1990 and updated in 2003. The Plan represents the third iteration of the state
plan.
In general, the Plan drives the Department to be responsive to new opportunities, public concerns, and critical
issues, and places responsibility on the Department to exercise leadership, collaboration, strong customer
service, and transparency. The Division of Waste Management and the Division of Environmental Assistance
and Customer Service coordinated the development of the Plan using data from state reporting processes, staff
expertise, information from other agencies, and input from stakeholders —including affiliates and
organizations, waste managers, industries involved in waste diversion, and the general public.
The Plan seeks to maximize the recovery of discarded materials in order to reduce the state's long-term
dependence on final disposal in landfills, and to assist both private and public sector stakeholders with the
technical issues associated with running economically viable, environmentally compliant solid waste
management operations. Efficient and effective diversion of recyclable materials is the best strategy to
minimize the long-term environmental liabilities of landfills and to respond to the growing difficulty of siting
disposal facilities. That diversion also has both a proven track record and a strong potential of creating jobs
and business opportunities in the state. Diversion of commodities from disposal supplies essential feedstocks
to North Carolina manufacturers and delivers broad environmental benefits including emission reductions
and energy, water, and resource savings.
However, because not all materials constitute commodities or can be reduced or recycled, the Plan also
recognizes the long term necessity of disposal facilities and the need to ensure they are safe and protective of
public health and the environment. In addition, the Plan articulates the need to prepare for the permitting and
deployment of new technologies for managing discarded materials, in particular technologies aimed at
capturing the energy value of those materials. The Plan also calls for maintaining a robust ability to respond to
the challenge of materials generated by natural disasters.
The four main plan elements were developed on data, analysis, and findings and reflect a path forward for the
State to minimize the environmental impacts of disposal, maximize the economic benefits of material recovery,
successfully manage a range of special wastes, and ensure effective engagement with stakeholders in solid
waste and materials management statewide. The elements are comprised of objectives, which are further
broken down into key actions.
Plan Element 1- Facilities, Disposal, Permitting, and Compliance
Ensure continued stewardship of landfills and all other solid waste management activities with the goal of
protecting environmental and public health while promoting economic viability.
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Plan Element 2 - Materials Management
Maximize material recovery, program efficiencies, and the expansion of new markets through education, funding,
and policy initiatives.
Plan Element 3 - Special Waste Management
Promote, educate, and regulate for the safe management and disposal of special wastes with the goal of increased
re -use / recovery of these materials.
Plan Element 4 - Customer Service/Training — Public Engagement
Increase external and internal training and outreach with a focus toward customer service, public awareness, and
environmentally sustainable solid waste and materials management.
Solid waste management in North Carolina has changed since the promulgation of the Solid Waste
Management Act of 1989. Disposal of solid waste in unlined landfills has progressed to lined landfill disposal.
Recycling and diversion have achieved significant footholds in solid waste management and in North
Carolina's economy. The solid waste management industry is changing from one of permanent entombment,
to one of materials management in ways that expand current recycling and reuse efforts. Many materials can
be diverted from the waste stream and have value as a resource for new products or for energy recovery.
As the state progresses into the next decade, there is again an opportunity for environmental protection and
new and exciting economic development opportunities through the optimized management of discarded
materials. It will be a challenge for the state and its partners to capture the jobs that can be created by new
industry and practices, while ensuring the protection of natural resources and public health that has made
North Carolina so successful in solid waste management.
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Chapter 1: Introduction
The 2014-2024 North Carolina Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan is a comprehensive plan required
by state law to assess the status of solid waste and materials management in North Carolina and provide new
objectives and strategies to achieve environmental and economic benefits for the next ten years.
1.1 Legislative and Planning History
2014 marks the 25th anniversary of the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 111, otherwise known as the Solid Waste
Management Act of 1989. This legislation modernized North Carolina's management of solid waste and
recycling and provided many of the core elements that still govern solid waste and materials management in
North Carolina today. SB 111 established General Statute 130A-309.06, the first requirement that the State of
North Carolina "develop a comprehensive solid waste management plan." In addition, SB 111 put in place
many of the foundations of modern solid waste management and recycling in North Carolina, including:
Laws and Rules
Legal definitions for facilities, materials, activities, and other aspects of solid waste management in
North Carolina; training requirements for solid waste management facility operators; and basic
powers, duties, and responsibilities of state government and local government agencies in the
management of discarded materials; and a framework for litter prevention and enforcement.
Material Management
Statewide goals for waste reduction; a statutory hierarchy of waste management options, with source
reduction and recycling at the top of the hierarchy and incineration without energy recovery and
landfill disposal at the bottom; the establishment of the Solid Waste Management Trust Fund; the first
disposal bans on materials, including lead acid batteries, used oil, yard trash, and white goods;
requirements for resin identification code labeling of plastic containers; a basic framework for
managing used oil; a fee on the sale of tires and establishment of requirements on state government,
local governments, tire sellers, and tire haulers to improve scrap tire management; and provisions to
expand the state Department of Transportation use of recycled materials in road construction.
Other major legislation built upon SB 111 to modify the framework of waste and materials management in
North Carolina, including: House Bill (HB) 1109 in 1989 that changed the state's recycling goal to a waste
reduction goal and placed reporting requirements on solid waste facilities; HB 859 in 1996 that further
modified state goals and placed planning requirements on local governments; HB 1465 and HB 1518 in 2005
that expanded the list of materials banned from disposal and required permitted alcoholic beverage containers
(ABC) businesses to recycle beverage containers; and SB 1492 in 2007 that significantly altered landfill siting
and permitting requirements, established the state disposal tax, and established the electronics producer
responsibility law. In all, the essential goals of this legislative history have been to reduce impacts to the
environment and public health from legal and illegal disposal and to capture the environmental and economic
benefits of waste reduction and recycling.
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In accordance with the General Statutes, the Department has produced three state solid waste management
plans. The first plan was adopted in 1990. The 1990 plan was updated in 2003 and the accomplishments since
that update are described in Chapter 2. The Plan represents the third iteration of the statutory planning
process and will guide state solid waste and materials management until 2024.
1.2 The 2014-2024 Plan
The Plan seeks to maximize the recovery of discarded materials in order to reduce the state's long-term
dependence on final disposal in landfills and to assist both private and public sector stakeholders with the
technical issues associated with running economically viable, environmentally compliant solid waste
management operations. Efficient and effective diversion of recyclable materials (constituting "commodities")
is the best strategy to minimize the long-term environmental liabilities of landfills and to respond to the
growing difficulty of siting disposal facilities. That diversion also has both a proven track record and a strong
potential of creating jobs and business opportunities in the state. Diversion of commodities from disposal can
supply essential feedstocks to North Carolina manufacturers and deliver broad environmental benefits,
including emission reductions and energy, water, and resource savings.
However, because not all materials constitute commodities that can be diverted, the Plan also recognizes the
long term necessity of disposal facilities and the need to ensure they are safe and protective of public health
and the environment. The Plan articulates the need to prepare for the permitting and deployment of new
technologies for managing discarded materials, especially technologies aimed at capturing the energy value of
those materials. The Plan also calls for maintaining a robust ability to respond to the challenge of materials
generated by natural disasters.
Additional key focus areas include goals and actions to address a range of special wastes and efforts to assist
private and public stakeholders with the technical issues associated with running economically viable,
environmentally compliant solid waste management operations. The Plan dedicates the Department to
improving customer service, training, and communication to make sure the Department and stakeholders are
informed and prepared to best manage discarded materials and to reduce associated environmental impacts.
In general, the Plan drives the Department to be responsive to new opportunities, public concerns, and critical
issues of solid waste management, and it places responsibility on the Department to exercise leadership,
collaboration, strong customer service, and transparency.
1.3 Overview
The Plan is presented in three chapters:
Chapter 2: Review of the previous 10-Year Solid Waste plan goals and achievements.
Chapter 3: Discussion of the current materials management system in North Carolina, and
presentation of the data and findings that inform the plan elements in Chapter 4.
Chapter 4: Presentation of the main Plan Elements along with their related objectives and key actions.
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Plan Elements
4.1 Facilities, Disposal, Permitting, and Compliance
4.2 Materials Management
4.3 Special Waste Management
4.4 Customer Service/Training — Public Engagement
1.4 Public Participation and Input
The Plan was developed by Department staff from the Division of Waste Management and the Division of
Environmental Assistance and Customer Service. The process included four main opportunities for public
input:
1. An online survey was made available to a wide range of stakeholders.
2. Presentations at technical conferences of the North Carolina Chapter of the Solid Waste Association
of North America (SWANA) and the Carolina Recycling Association (CRA).
3. Public meetings in four different regional locations: Asheville, Lexington, Kinston, and Raleigh.
4. An invitation to stakeholders to submit comments regarding the Plan directly to the Department.
Detailed information from the public input opportunities is included in Appendix A of the Plan. Comments
received in the public input process provided critical perspectives in refining the goals of the Plan. Survey
results as reflected in the graph below indicated that the plan elements were the right areas of focus for the
next ten years.
The four main elements of
the Plan involve the
continuation of management
of solid waste facilities, waste
diversion, special waste
management, and public
engagement (training and
communication). Do you feel
these are the right areas of
focus? (2951433 survey
respondents)
Yes
No
0 °% 10 °% 20 °% 30 °% 40 °% 50 °% 60 °% 70 °% 80 °% 90 °% 10 0 °%
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Chapter 2: Plan History - Review of Previous Ten Year Solid Waste Plan
The first ten year plan was adopted in 1990 following the passage of Senate Bill 111 An Act to Improve the
Management of Solid Waste, Session Law 1989-784 - which provided the foundation of the state's modern solid
waste policies. Following the first period of plan management, the subsequent ten-year plan was entitled An
Update of the North Carolina Solid Waste Management Plan 2003 to 2013.1 This second plan contained key elements
along with specific objectives, goals, and actions. Section 2.1 below presents the overview of the 2003-2013
Plan main goals and the progress achieved toward reaching those goals.
2.1 Initiatives from Previous Plan
Ensure long-term environmental protection by improving future landfill technology and address public
health and environmental concerns associated with closed landfills - (3.1 of previous plan)
Key Action
Status Update
Research bioreactor landfill design
• North Carolina currently has only one bioreactor in
and closure requirements; adjust
operation. The Section has monitored the
regulations.
development and operation of this facility.
Research existing landfill design
• A statutory program was implemented with changes
and performance; adjust regulations
applicable to new facilities including liners for C&D
accordingly.
LF units, leak testing of geo-membrane liners,
required cleaning and inspection of leachate
collection system lines and dual containment of all
leachate lines outside the liner system.
1 An Update of the North Carolina Solid Waste Management Plan 2003 to 2013:
http://portal.ncdenr.org/c/document_library/get—file?uuid=99e250ae-d8a8-441a-952d-8faf7e5717eb&groupId=38361
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Reduce the disposal of material
• A statutory program was developed and
with potentially harmful
implemented to divert electronics materials,
components in landfills.
including CRTs.
• Session Law 2011-294, which required state and local
agencies to recycle fluorescent lights and thermostats
which contain mercury and banned the mercury
containing devices from unlined landfills, was
implemented.
• A grant program to initiate public mercury product
collection services was initiated.
• A statewide disposal ban on oil filters was
implemented.
• The number of local household hazardous waste
(HHW) programs increased but still only cover parts
of the state. Only 14 of the 41 programs in 2013-14
have a permanent HHW site.
• C&D LF rules, effective 2007, also banned source
separated treated woods, mercury switches and
thermostats, lamps and bulbs, lead pipes, and
flashing etc. from going to C&D landfills. Shredded
and pulverized waste also cannot go to C&D
landfills.
Review design and monitoring
• C&D LF Rules were developed, effective 2007, to
requirements for C&D landfills.
include safeguards such as an increased buffer to
property lines, structures and wells. Rules include
vertical separations to groundwater and bedrock of 4
feet, as well as an in -place or modified base under the
landfill consisting of 2 feet of selected soils.
• The types of materials allowed in C&D landfills were
restricted to keep large quantities of potentially
harmful materials common in demolition out.
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Develop/distribute action plans for
SB 1492 in 2007 - Solid Waste Management Act of 2007,
closed MSW landfills and
established a program to address pre -regulatory
abandoned dumpsites.
landfills that closed prior to January 1, 1983, when
waste disposal permitting regulations commenced.
This new program was implemented by the Pre -
Regulatory Landfill Unit within the Inactive
Hazardous Sites Branch (ISHB) of the Superfund
Section.
• Solid Waste Management Act of 2007 imposed a tax of
$2/ton on municipal solid waste and C&D debris
disposed in landfills in North Carolina or transferred
out of state for disposal. 50% of the proceeds fund
prioritization, assessment and implementation of
remedial action plans for each pre -regulatory
landfill.2
Establish a strategy to fund long-
Fund not established. Support for re -use (post -closure
term care/cleanup of closed, lined
activities, Brownfields, IHSB) found to improve post-
MSW Us.
closure care.
Substantially increase the amount of
waste recycled and composted - (3.2 of previousplan)
Key Action
Status Update
Enact statewide disposal bans on
Through legislative action, disposal bans were
recyclable materials, e.g. pallets,
implemented on wooden pallets, oil filters, plastics
clean wood waste, oil filters,
bottles, televisions, computer equipment, oyster
cardboard, newspaper, office paper,
shells, and ABC permit -holder glass.
and computer monitors containing
cathode ray tubes.
Require local government recycling
Not achieved — legislation was never proposed or
programs to achieve per capita
adopted on this requirement.
recovery targets for specific
materials.
Enact a statewide surcharge on
fees.
• A statewide solid waste tax of $2 was established
Solid Waste Management Act
tipping
with the passage of of
2007.
Implement variable rate pricing and
There has been little to no adoption of additional
local mandates to increase recycling
variable rate (pay -as -you -throw) programs or local
participation.
recycling mandates since 2003. Mecklenburg County
passed a local mandatory source separation ordinance in
2002 on certain commercial materials.
2 A pre -regulatory landfill is defined as any land area, whether publicly or privately owned, on which MSW disposal occurred prior to
January 1, 1983, but not thereafter, but does not include any landfill used primarily for the disposal of industrial solid waste. The Pre -
Regulatory Landfill Unit has dedicated staff to oversee contractors conducting the work. A unit of local government may voluntarily
undertake assessment of the site and remedial action of imminent hazards and get reimbursed if the work is pre -approved by the Unit
and complies with the reauirements of G.S.130A-310.6 (f).
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Continue and expand North
• North Carolina's electronics producer responsibility
Carolina's product stewardship
legislation has been implemented.
initiatives.
• North Carolina helped negotiate implementation of a
national producer -run system for opting out of
yellow pages phone book delivery.
• North Carolina continues to participate in the Carpet
America Recovery Effort and in national dialogues
addressing other materials.
Implement a consistent funding
• Achieved through the implementation of North
source to recover electronics.
Carolina's electronics producer responsibility law
and facilitated by the state electronics recycling
convenience contract.3
Increase public awareness and
• DENR has implemented three state outreach
commitment to recycling.
campaigns - Recycle Guys, RE3, and RecycleMore -
and provides ongoing outreach technical assistance to
local government recycling ro rams.
Increase "buy recycled" efforts by
• DENR has provided technical assistance to state and
state and local agencies and the
local agencies and the private sector on purchasing
private sector.
recycled content products
Increase diversion of organic
• New or expanded food waste composting initiatives
materials by state agencies.
implemented at UNCC, UNC Asheville, Fayetteville
State University, Appalachian State, NCSU, UNC-
Cha el Hill, and several state prisons.
Incorporate recycling and
• Material diversion and recovery information
composting into disaster debris
incorporated into training for emergency
management plans.
management, local governments, and the Department
of Transportation.
• Since 2003, a total of 824 temporary disaster debris
staging sites (TDDSS) were evaluated and approved
for use by local governments and the private sector to
store and process waste in the event of a disaster.
Vegetative debris is approved to be accepted at most
of these sites and is typically ground into mulch or
composted.
Currently there are 469 TDDSS available for use in
the event of a disaster.
Increase grant and loan funds for
• Implemented through influx of 12.5% of disposal tax
source reduction, recycling and
revenues into the Solid Waste Management Trust
composting.
Fund; funding was reduced in FY 2013-14.
3 Television and Computer Equipment manufacturers pay between $2,500 and $15,000. The revenues help fund program operation and
provide funding toward local government operation electronics collection programs. TV manufacturer recycling requirements help
subsidize processing of television discards.
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Reduce litter and illegal disposal by 50% from 2003-2004 levels - (3.3 of previous plan)
Key Action
Status Update
Document the extent and nature of
• Implemented through NC DOT's annual "North
littering and illegal dumping in
Carolina Interagency Report on Litter Cleanup,
North Carolina.
Education/Prevention and Enforcement."
• Implemented in part by information provided in NC
DENR's "North Carolina Solid Waste and Materials
Management Annual Report."
Increase educational efforts for litter
• Implemented through DENR development of an
reduction and enforcement.
illegal dumping brochure, the increasing of illegal
dumping penalties from $5,000 to $15,000, and
creation of the North Carolina Solid Waste
Enforcement Officers Association.
Require local solid waste plans to
litter
• Requirement added for local plans to address litter
implement a control element
control but measurement element was not widely
that provides measurable results.
adopted.
Require the Highway Patrol, local
• Implemented in part through NC DOT's annual
"North
law enforcement agencies, and the
Carolina Interagency Report on Litter
courts to fully report their litter
Cleanup, Education/Prevention and Enforcement."
control enforcement efforts to the
public.
Establish an ongoing funding
�/
X
Not accomplished - no funding source was established
source to prevent and clean up litter
for this purpose.
and illegal dumpsites.
Research bottle bills, "litter taxes"
�/
X
Not accomplished - no research activity was conducted
and mechanisms used by other
on these issues.
states to prevent litter and illegal
dumping.
Implement policies and procedures to provide information to the public and ensure public participation
throughout the decision -making process regarding waste management facilities - (3.4 in previous plan)
Key Action
Status Update
Ensure public involvement and
• Solid Waste Management Act of 2007 required new
education when siting new MSW
facilities to produce environmental
landfills.
assessment/impact studies opening a new avenue for
public involvement.
• Section staff increased public outreach and
participated in learning sessions with local officials.
• MSWLF draft permits are published, public hearings
held and written comments allowed prior to final
decision.
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Ensure public involvement and
• Public hearings are held for facilities which have
education when making decisions
generated major interest and concern by the local
about proposed C&D, transfer and
communities.
compost facilities.
Ensure public involvement and
• Public hearings are held for major changes of existing
education in decision -making for
facilities and review of corrective action plans at
existing and closed solid waste
closed facilities.
facilities.
Create and continually maintain 20 years of landfill capacity in the state - (3.5 in previous plan)
Key Action
Status Update
Increase waste reduction efforts.
• Partially accomplished through expansion of local
government recycling programs and private sector
recycling infrastructure.
• Assisted by DENR grant and technical assistance
programs.
Develop a process to certify or
• Local government planning has identified future
identify the need for facilities.
needs of communities - such as in the case where
landfills are set to close in near future and transfer
facilities will need to be permitted in advance of
capacity issues.
Provide information regarding
landfill
• Accomplished through annual landfill capacity
capacity need.
analysis conducted by the Division of Waste
Management.
Provide information to local
• Public portion of the Section website allows access to
communities regarding solid waste
information such as: facility location, permit status,
facilities.
facility documents, Facility Annual Reports, Local
Government Annual Reports, and County Solid
Waste Management Plans.
Review the public participation
• Included public participation in new C&D rules.
process.
• Participation process was reviewed as part of the
development of Solid Waste Management Act of 2007.
• Division of Waste Management reviews and
documents all meetings and hearings applicable to
public participation prior to permitting.
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Improve the efficiency of permit Section has initiated electronic storage of documents;
application review. databases have been consolidated under a single
format.
• Permit templates have been established.
• Fees and the accompanying permitting schedules, per
Solid Waste Management Act of 2007, have dictated
improved tracking protocol in order to meet statutory
deadlines.
• Fees allowed increased staffing levels and have
provided for shorter permit review times.
2.2 Conclusion
The 2003- 2013 Plan helped the state make advancements in reducing the environmental impacts of disposal
and in moving toward a materials management approach in addressing discarded materials. Many of the
objectives of the plan were accomplished, some involving legislative and rule changes that provided a
foundation for achievement of future state goals. Notable progress was made in establishing dedicated
funding sources for certain waste and materials management activities, modernizing the process of solid waste
facility permitting, and in driving separation of recyclable commodities from waste.
Much of the direction of the 2003-2013 Plan is being carried over into the 2014-2024 North Carolina Solid
Waste and Materials Management Plan, including an emphasis on enhancing environmental protection
through proper solid waste management and expansion of waste reduction and recycling activity. In that
respect, the new plan represents a process of continual improvement that is anchored not only in the previous
plan but in the foundations of North Carolina's original 1989 Act to Improve the Management of Solid Waste,
Session Law 1989-784.
However, the new plan also looks forward and seeks to prepare the state, with its rising population, for new
and growing challenges, such as the permitting of innovative technologies, addressing special wastes, better
managing disaster debris, and maximizing the economic benefits of material recovery. If North Carolina can
achieve a measure of success with this new plan comparable to the previous one, it will have in place a more
sustainable system of solid waste and materials management.
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Chapter 3: Overview of Current North Carolina Materials Management System
This Section presents summary information on the generation, disposal, and recycling of materials in North
Carolina. It provides the foundation for the Plan Elements, Objectives and Actions in Chapter 4 and provides
benchmarks for measuring the progress of the Plan.
3.1 Status and History of Disposal
The history of landfilling materials in the state is displayed in the figure below, showing the rapid increase in
disposal through the 1990s and into the 2000s, followed a 22.5 percent decline in annual disposal since FY
2006-07. The decline has been estimated to be due to a combination of the ongoing effects of the economic
downturn that began in late 2008, increased recycling, reductions in the generation of some discarded
materials, and other factors. The figure also makes a projection of disposal if the per capita rate were to remain
steady over the next 20 years, resulting in the landfilling of approximately 12.4 million tons of materials in
2033.
Figure 3.1: History and Projection of Solid Waste Disposal in North Carolina
North Carolina Solid Waste Disposal 20-Year Forecast
13,000,000
ACTUAL
12,000,000
0
U)
0
U
10,000,000
0
0
H
0 9,000,000
o_
0
8,000,000
7,000,000
FORECAST
12,653,3C4
. ' 12,360,806
)pulation
Iaste Disposed
6,000,000
ti��ti���T*
The following table provides additional information on disposal, including the recent history of per capita
disposal rates relative to North Carolina's benchmark disposal measurement year of FY 1991-92. It shows a 31
percent drop in per capita disposal between FY 2005-06 and FY 2012-13.
2014-2024 North Carolina Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan 18

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Table 3.1: Tonnage and Per Capita Disposal of Solid Waste in North Carolina
disposed
•�•
9,765,229
• •
0.94
•• • �.
-12.1%
•
•
-4.1%
FY 2012-13
9,149,130
2011-2012
9,443,380
9,669,244
0.98
-9.0%
-1.0%
2010-2011
9,467,045
9,586,227
0.99
-8.0%
-1.0%
2009-2010
9,395,457
9,382,609
1.00
-6.4%
-6.8%
2008-2009
9,910,031
9,227,016
1.07
0.4%
-13.7%
2007-2008
11,284,712
9,069,398
1.24
16.3%
-6.9%
2006-2007
11,837,104
8,860,341
1.34
24.8%
-1.4%
2005-2006
11,765,183
8,682,066
1.36
26.6%
4.9%
1991-1992*
1 7,257,428
1 6,781,321
1 1.07
1990-1991
1 7,161,455
6,632,448
1 1.08
* Baseline Year
It is difficult to project future materials disposal from this historical record because of the general challenge of
predicting economic activity as well as changes of material usage and generation. The North Carolina disposal
history has included periods of rapid growth and rapid decline, giving little basis for accurate historically -
based extrapolation. In addition, future material disposal will depend a great deal on how successful the state
is in diverting recyclable commodities from landfills. Currently the state is experiencing strong momentum in
material diversion, which helps mitigate environmental impacts of disposal and helps deliver economic
benefits to the state.
3.2 Disposal Facilities, Capacity, and Siting
Table 3.2 shows the kinds of disposal facilities in North Carolina, comparing the number of facilities in 2003
and 2013.
Table 3.2: Numbers and Kinds of Disposal Facilities in North Carolina
Type of Facility
Number in 2003
Number in 2013
MSW Landfills
41
41
MSW/C&D Transfer Stations
80
96
C&D Landfills
65
53
MSW Incinerators
1
0
Industrial landfills
10
16
In general, the number and kind of disposal facilities in North Carolina has remained fairly steady. The
number of industrial landfills has risen, principally related to the disposal of coal combustion residuals (CCR).
North Carolina's sole MSW incinerator has shut down. Transfer of waste (and increasingly, recyclable
materials) is a steady feature of solid waste management in the state, with 3.6 million tons sent through
transfer stations in FY 2003-04 and 3.8 million tons in Fiscal Year 2012-13. A new MSW landfill has not been
sited in North Carolina for over a decade. However, many existing MSW landfills have expanded into new
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disposal cells increasing disposal capacity. The combination of this additional capacity at existing landfills and
the decline in disposal has increased overall state disposal capacity to 32 years or 380 million cubic yards of
disposal space. In addition, North Carolina is a net exporter of solid waste, sending 684,068 tons out of state in
FY 2012-13 while only importing 181,002 tons. MSW landfills in adjoining states effectively add disposal
capacity available to North Carolina. Recycling activity and the deployment of alternative technologies would
help maintain or increase this capacity. At the rate of current disposal and the level of current capacity, every
additional one million tons of diversion per year increases the in -state landfill capacity by three years.
3.3 Sources of Discarded Material
North Carolina's discarded material stream can be divided into three major sources: residential,
commercial/industrial/institutional (CII), and C&D. None of these material streams is dominant in North
Carolina and so for the state to reach its overarching goals in this plan, attention must be paid to each of the
three sectors.
The Figure 3.2 shows the Department's estimate of the main sources of disposed materials in FY 2012-13 and
demonstrates the balance of the three main sectors, with residential material being the larger category of the
three. C&D was a major driver of tonnage increases in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but with the economic
downturn slowing construction activity and with increased C&D recycling in the state, C&D's portion of the
disposed waste stream has fallen from 29 percent in 1999 to 24 percent in FY 2013. The current trend of
increased C&D diversion both at job sites and at C&D disposal facilities is likely to continue, further reducing
C&D disposal rates.
Figure 3.2: NC Percentage Estimates of Materials Streams
7CII Residential
:0
-Me. -,A
FY 2012-2013 Tonnage Estimates
Residential
3,568,161
Commercial/Institutional/ Industrial
(CII)
3,385,178
Construction & Demolition (C&D)
2,195,791
Total
9,149,130
The data in Figure 3.2 indicate that North Carolina cannot concentrate on any one sector of material generation
to achieve its waste management and recycling goals. Rather, the state must employ an array of objectives and
actions that affect a range of material streams at a wide variety of points of generation.
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3.4 Discarded Materials Constituting Commodities
Since the passage and implementation of 1989 SB 111 - An Act to Improve the Management of Solid Waste the
range of materials considered recyclable has grown steadily. More materials now have attained a
"commodity" status — i.e., they have a demonstrated market demand and a successful record of either
entrepreneurial recovery activity, inclusion in local government collection programs, or both.
Table 3.3 shows the basic difference in residential materials collected during the early implementation of
recycling programs following 1989 SB I I I versus what was commonly collected in 2013.
Table 3.3: Comparison of Residential Materials Commonly Included in Collection Programs
Typical 1990 Residential Recycling Mix
Typical 2013 Residential Collection Mix
1.
Newspaper
1. Newspaper
2.
Glass Bottles and Jars
2. Magazines
3.
Aluminum Cans
3. Mixed Paper (including materials such as
4.
PET Soda Bottles
direct mail and paperboard)
5.
HDPE Milk Jugs
4. Telephone Books
6.
Steel Cans
5. Corrugated Cardboard
6. Glass Bottles and Jars
7. Aluminum Cans
8. All PET Bottles
9. All HDPE
10. Steel Cans
11. Aseptic and Gable Top Containers
12. Non -bottle rigid plastic containers
Multiple independent studies have indicated that a large fraction of currently disposed waste contains
recyclable materials. Although North Carolina has not conducted a statewide waste characterization study in
order to estimate the tonnages of disposed recyclable commodities, the list below indicates the types of highly
recyclable materials that are still widely landfilled. These are the kinds of commodities that would be among
the most logical if the state were to amend its statutory disposal bans:
• Ferrous metals
• Non-ferrous metals
• Corrugated Cardboard
• Office Paper
• Newspaper and magazines
Additional materials have gained significant "recyclability" since the passage of 1989 SB 111, and the general
trend is for more "wastes" to gain a commodity status over time. A wider spectrum of materials are
increasingly eligible for diversion as more infrastructure develops to recycle, reuse, compost, digest, or
otherwise convert the materials into commodities or energy. Examples of such materials include:
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• C&D wood • Concrete and brick • Used clothing and other textiles
• Food waste • Fluorescent lamps • Used cooking oil and brown grease
• Vinyl siding • Agricultural plastics • Clean plastic film and bags
• Drywall • Asphalt Shingles • Carpet and carpet padding
• Single -resin commercial and industrial plastics
Food waste is a material that is gaining significant diversion momentum. A 2012 study produced by the
Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service documented the generation of as more than 1.2
million tons of food waste in North Carolina each year. Since 2009, North Carolina has seen accelerating
development and expansion of food rescue operations and composting and digestion facilities in the Triangle,
the Triad, the greater Mecklenburg County region, Asheville, and a few rural areas of the state. This baseline
infrastructure has unused capacity for more food waste material and is awaiting further development of
collection operations to feed that capacity.
The increasing trend of discarded materials transitioning from pure waste toward becoming a commodity
provides an impetus for North Carolina to choose a "materials management" approach to solid waste issues.
This trend is supported by a general global shift toward secondary materials over more energy -intensive
virgin materials in manufacturing, which is also occurring within North Carolina. In -state manufacturers of
packaging, textiles, construction products, agricultural products, paper and other goods are increasingly
dependent on recycled commodities and markets, which additionally justify the need for a materials
management approach by the Department.
3.5 Discarded Materials Requiring Disposal
Many materials and products that are discarded have yet to achieve a commodity status and some materials
that are recyclable in some areas of the state need more market and program development to achieve that
status statewide. Listed below are examples of materials that likely will retain a need for disposal capacity and
other materials that need broader infrastructure development:
• Composite packaging and other composite products (e.g., packaging made of multiple materials)
• Disposable diapers
• Contaminated/non-recyclable paper
• Residential and other contaminated film (e.g., cheese and meat wrappers)
• Contaminated and non -recyclable foodservice packaging
• Contaminated recyclables
• Paper tissue and towels
• Trash bags and other non -durable, non -recyclable plastics
• Heavily used, contaminated, or damaged textiles and related products (e.g., shoes)
• Heavily used, contaminated, or damaged furniture and furnishings
• Non -recyclable by-product industrial wastes
• C&D and other waste fines
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• Treated lumber
3.6 Industrial Materials Requiring Disposal
Industrial waste trends, which necessitate attention of NC DENR, include waste from coal fired power plants
and waste from the production of shale gas or shale oil.
Coal Combustion Wastes from Power Plants
Power plants in North Carolina have historically generated electricity by burning coal to produce steam. The
waste products from power plants are called coal combustion residuals (CCR) and include:
1. Fly ash which is carried by the flue gases, and collected by the plant's air cleaning devices in order to
satisfy air quality regulations;
2. Bottom ash which are larger sized particles that fall to the bottom of the furnace or collect on the
furnace walls;
3. Boiler slag which are large angular chunks of molten bottom ash; and
4. Flue gas desulfurization material, which is a dry powder, sometimes referred to as synthetic gypsum,
produced during the sulfur dioxide emissions reduction process from the exhausted gas.
Several of the waste products are viable for reuse, if they have suitable chemical and physical properties and
are called coal combustion products (CCP). Bottom ash and slag can be used for construction purposes to
replace sand and stone, fly ash can be used in the production of cement, and flue gas desulfurization products
can be used in the production of sheetrock. Recycling purposes exist, but often there is not a market or the
materials do not meet the construction industries' specifications. For instance, carbon content or unburned
carbon, is a key property in the materials used in cement.
Senate Bill 729, which became Session Law 2014-122, includes specifications for use of CCP in any construction
project as part of the public procurement process. The State Construction Office and NC DOT are set to give
recommendations to the ERC by February 1, 2015. The Coal Ash Management Commission to be established
is directed to study how to promote, incentivize and prioritize the beneficial use of CCP over the disposal of
CCR. A report on that effort is due by December 1, 2014 to the ERC and the Joint Legislative Transportation
Oversight Committee.
In North Carolina current management of the CCR, mostly ash, has been facilitated in three ways - disposal
into landfills or into structural fills when the coal ash is dry and into impoundments when the ash is wet. Wet
ash is often conveyed as slurry or sludge through a chute straight from the boiler.
Air pollution control requirements have become increasingly more stringent in recent years at power plants in
North Carolina and across the country. Consequently, the power plants have been producing decreasing
amounts of wet ash. Overall trends in the energy industry are driving the power companies to make use of
natural gas in electricity production, further reducing the need to dispose of CCR.
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Ash disposed in impoundments has historically been regulated by the Division of Water Resources in North
Carolina. An increasing amount of the ash is dry and is sent to industrial solid waste landfills which are
regulated by the Division of Waste Management. The impoundments and the landfills are usually on the same
property where the ash is produced.
In 2003, only three landfills were active in North Carolina at power plants and these landfills did not include
liners and leachate collection systems. These landfills were at Duke Energy Belews Creek, Duke Energy
Marshall, and Duke -Progress Roxboro. Since then the unlined landfills have been closed and replaced by new
landfills which incorporate a liner and leachate collection system into the design, thus making them more
protective of the groundwater and surface waters. After 2008, there have been additional landfills sited at the
Duke Energy Cliffside, Duke Energy Allen, and Duke Energy Mayo plants. All of the landfills continue to be
operated with protective liners, leachate collection, closure plans with caps, and groundwater monitoring.
Senate Bill 729 requires the cessation of disposal into impoundments and the closure of all coal ash
impoundments over the next 5 years. CCR currently going into impoundments and already in impoundments
may be sent to lined landfills or lined structural fills. This may require the expansion of existing landfills and
construction of new landfills. Duke Energy has projected that as much as 108 million tons of CCR may need to
be remediated.
The Division of Waste Management, with the help of increased staffing, intends to permit new landfills on an
expedited schedule. Factors affecting the length of time for a permit application approval include whether the
permit will be on land currently owned by the power company, or on undeveloped land. The average time it
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Draft: September 22, 2014
takes to permit a new facility, can range from six to twelve months, or more, from the receipt of a complete
application.
Additional changes which will occur due to the passage of SB 729 include:
1. A moratorium was placed on the expansion and construction of CCR landfills until August 1, 2015.
Senate Bill 729 directs NC DENR to assess the risks to public health, safety, and welfare, the
environment, and natural resources of CCR surface impoundments located beneath these landfills to
determine the advisability of continued operation of these landfills.
2. A moratorium was placed on structural fills until August 1, 2015 and the department of environment
and natural resources and the environmental management commission are directed to do a study of the
adequacy of current law governing use of CCR as structural fill and for beneficial use as well as
compile an inventory of structural fill projects. NC DENR will use the study results in order to advise
and make recommendation to the legislature regarding minimum statutory requirements for structural
fill projects. The department will require resources to inventory and inspect structural fill projects.
3. Structural fills will require a solid waste management permit.
4. Additional requirements will be required of structural fill owners and operators. A groundwater
monitoring system, an encapsulation liner system and financial assurance will be required if the fill is
greater than 8,000 or more tons of CCR per acre or 80,000 or more tons of CCR in total per project.
5. Conversion of CCR impoundment to an industrial landfill by removing all coal combustion residuals
and contaminated soil from the impoundment temporarily, safely storing the residuals on -site, and
complying with the requirements for such landfills established by SB 729 will require Division of Waste
Management staff to be used as a resource to the Division of Water Resources because of the historical,
engineering and hydrogeological expertise contained within the Solid Waste Section staff.
6. The department will be required to evaluate additional opportunities for the use of CCR as structural
fill and for other beneficial uses that would reduce the volume of CCR that are being disposed of in
CCR landfills, industrial landfills, or MSW landfills while still being protective of public health, safety,
and welfare; the environment; and natural resources.
Compounding efforts at the state level to handle CCR
disposed of in impoundments, landfills and structural fills,
is the prospect of new federal regulations from the US
Environmental Protection Agency, which are expected in
December of 2014. The Division of Waste Management will
continue to monitor the rule process to ensure that North
Carolina citizens and business are protected in the most
cost effective and environmentally sound manner possible.
Shale Gas and Shale Oil Exploration and Production
Industrial Wastes
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Figure 3.4: Cuttings from shale gas exploration drilling The Division of Waste Management has been active in the rule
making process for the regulations that will govern fracking and
shale gas and oil exploration in North Carolina. Some oil and gas exploration and production wastes may be
landfilled. The Division of Waste Management is working with other state agencies and private industries to
make sure that regulators as well as owners and operators fully understand how to handle these industrial
wastes. Operational plans and waste screening plans will be updated by all landfills which will take waste
from the shale gas production industry. Shale gas waste can present operational issues at landfills if it is not
properly handled. This waste often contains large amounts of bentonite or other drilling muds, in addition to
rock cuttings. The waste screening plans will allow only wastes that are non -hazardous, non -radioactive, and
non -liquid to be accepted by landfill operators.
Regulated Medical Waste
North Carolina regulations pertaining to medical waste include the requirement that all microbiological waste
(infectious agents from medical, pathological, pharmaceutical, research, commercial, and industrial
laboratories) and pathological waste (human tissues, organs and body parts; and the carcasses and body parts
of animals that were known to have been exposed to pathogens that are potentially dangerous to humans
during research, were used in the production of biologicals or pharmaceutical testing on live subjects, or that
died with a known or suspected disease transmissible to humans), as well as blood and body fluids be treated
to make it noninfectious prior to disposal.
In recent years the nature of the medical waste treatment facilities has changed from use solely of incineration
and autoclaves (steam) with the advent of new proprietary technologies to treat the waste. Most notably, the
use of ozone as a treatment has allowed commercial medical waste treatment providers to now process
pathological waste without incineration.
Several years ago, North Carolina had two medical waste incinerators operating in the state along with three
autoclave facilities and a microwave facility. Now the state has a single medical waste incinerator, three
autoclave facilities and a facility that employs ozone for treatment.
Figure 3.5 shows that the total tons of medical waste treated at North Carolina's commercial waste treatment
facilities has been decreasing in recent years.
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Draft: September 22, 2014
Figure 3.5: Medical Waste Treated in North Carolina
In FY 2013-2014, approximately 25,000 tons of medical waste was treated at North Carolina's medical waste
treatment facilities; roughly 15,000 tons from in -state sources and 10,000 tons from other states. Ash and other
solid waste from the incinerators and treatment facilities are disposed of in MSW landfills. Medical waste
treatment providers and transporters are faced with tight time restraints to refrigerate and treat the waste. It is
the goal of the Department to update the medical waste regulations in order to clarify the time restraints from
the generator (hospital, laboratory or medical office) to the final treatment (incineration, autoclave or ozone
treatment) and to clarify how medical waste is handled at en route transfer or sorting facilities.
3.7 Brown Grease and Septage Management
The septage industry in North Carolina utilizes permitted land application sites, municipal wastewater
treatment plants, and other alternative brown grease management options in the state for the management and
final disposal of brown grease waste. In 2013, approximately 45-million gallons of brown grease waste was
managed by the septage industry. The majority of brown grease waste is generated from restaurants
operating in North Carolina. Grease treatment facilities have been built and permitted to manage this difficult
waste stream across the state.
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Figure 3.6: Septage Managed in North Carolina
Gallons Septage Pumped Per Year
—Domestic —�FGrease Portable Toilet
120
N
0
� 100
Approximately
175,000,000 gallons 80
of septage is
managed by 523
60
septage firms
operating in NC,
with 25% of this ao
being grease.
20
0
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
The volume of septage pumped in 2013 (174,469,180 gallons total) shows that the overall volume of septage
increasing towards the industry high figures from FY 2006-07. The septage management program is
responsible for assuring that septage is managed in a responsible, safe and consistent manner across the state.
Training of septage management firms and septage land application site operators continues to be a core
component of staff activities. Staff participates in 12 to 14 training events each year across the state involving
personnel from 523 septage firms and 130 land application site operators. Annual training events are coupled
with new operator training for individuals who are new to the pumping industry in North Carolina.
3.8 Management of Compost
Compost facilities in FY 2012-13 saw a continued interest in the diversion of organics from the municipal solid
waste stream. Thirteen solid waste compost facilities accepted food waste in FY 2012-13 for a total reported
tonnage of 29,040. An additional 18,351 tons of food processing residuals were accepted by solid waste
compost facilities. The Number of composting facilities operating in North Carolina has grown to over 50
facilities this past decade with continued interest in the diversion of organics from the municipal solid waste
stream. In addition the Solid Waste Section's Compost demonstration approvals provide the unique
opportunity for individuals to learn additional information about composting to reduce the amount of solid
waste in our landfills while having the regulatory oversight for distribution of the finished compost product.
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3.9 Status of Disposal Bans
The disposal bans promulgated in SB 111 were implemented in various stages in the years immediately
following passage of the bill, and many now have a long history of diverting materials from solid waste
landfills. Additional bans have been passed and implemented since SB 111. Table 3.4 shows all of the
statutory banned materials, the date of the ban, and the estimated total diversion of the specific materials since
the bans went into effect.
The calculations for the bans come from a variety of data sources, including local government solid waste and
recycling annual reports and Department studies and reports. The vast majority of the data can be found in
the North Carolina Solid Waste and Materials Management Annual Reports. Because much of the tonnage is from
local government programs and does not include private sector activity, the total diversion is understated.
However, it is clear that disposal bans have been effective in diverting a large amount of material from
landfills, saving airspace and delivering those materials back to the economy for use in a wide variety of
products.
Table 3A Tonnage of Diversion of Materials Banned from Disposal in North Carolina
Material Banned
Effective Date of Ban
Estimated Tonnage of Diversion
since Effective Date
Whole Tires
October 1, 1989
1,939,339
Used Motor Oil
October 1, 1990
61,137
Lead Acid Batteries
January 1, 1991
23,979
White Goods
January 1, 1991
1,025,786
Yard Trash
January 1, 1993
11,020,232
Antifreeze
July 1,1994
2,010
Aluminum Cans
July 1, 1994
110,081
Oyster Shells
January 1, 2007
5051
ABC Permit Holder Glass
January 1, 2008
165,000
Used Oil Filters
October 1, 2009
666
Rigid Plastic Containers (plastic bottles)
October 1, 2009
130,201
Wooden Pallets
October 1, 2009
90,893
Computer Equipment
July 1, 2011
11,844
Televisions
July 1, 2011
17,004
Fluorescent lamps and thermostats (banned from
unlined landfills)
July 1, 2011
84
TOTAL
14,603,306
Scrap Tires
The Scrap Tire Disposal Act, GS 130A-309.1304 was originally enacted by the legislature in 1989. Since that
time the tax revenues generated from the sales of new tires has helped clean up millions of tires and helped
4 http://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByArticle/Chapter_130A/Article_9.html
2014-2024 North Carolina Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan 29

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local governments prevent new tire dumps. Dumps, while unsightly and a nuisance can result in health and
safety problems because the tires are a breeding place for the disease bearing mosquitoes.
Figure 3.7: Credit:Center for Disease Control. A
female Aedes aegypti mosquito while she was in the process
of acquiring a blood meal from her human host.
http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/details.asp?pid=4489
Several diseases are transmitted due to the bite of the 50 plus
varieties of mosquitoes residing within North Carolina. Most of
the diseases, such as dengue, yellow fever and malaria have not
occurred within North Carolina recently. West Nile virus (57
cases since 2003), while a serious disease; can only be spread
through the bite of a mosquito who had bitten an infected bird.
Chikungunya is caused by the bite of a mosquito and carries
increased risk to the state because the victim of a bite can import
the disease to new areas and new populations of mosquitoes.
The disease that was unheard of in the lower 48 United States
until fall of 2013, has in the first seven months of 2014 resulted in
398 cases of the disease in the US, 12 of those cases were in North
Carolina.
The Scrap Tire program normally spends upwards of $1 million to clean up tires and prevent illegal dumping
by ensuring that county governments are repaid their cost overruns. In 2013, NC statutes were amended
greatly reducing the funding received to $420,000 out of the approximately $16 million tax collected by NC
DOR. Future legislation to once again fully fund the scrap tire program fund will be needed to ensure that tire
dumps, breeding grounds of potentially dangerous mosquitoes, are not in North Carolina.
Electronics
Discarded Computer Equipment and Television Management Act, according to Session Law 2010-675, allows
free and convenient recycling for consumers of laptops, desktops, monitors, printers, scanners, copiers and
televisions. Metals recovered from most types of electronic equipment result in value to the recycler and the
local governments who collect them from their citizens. Televisions, though, often incur a cost to the local
governments because the CRTs are expensive to recycle, needing most often to be sent out of the country to
smelters. Several recyclers within North Carolina have in recent years been found to be using unscrupulous
and illegal ways to recover the metals from televisions. Future regulations may be needed to, at a minimum,
track the location of electronics recyclers within North Carolina.
3.10 North Carolina Recycling Infrastructure and Economy
A major factor in the large-scale decline of disposal since 2006 has been the expansion of the North Carolina
recycling economy. A key indicator of that expansion has been job growth. Figure 3.8 shows the consistent
upward climb of direct private sector recycling employment in the past two decades.
5 http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2009/Bills/Senate/PDF/S887v6.pdf
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Figure 3.8: Private Sector Recycling Jobs in North Carolina
The number and kind of recycling businesses has also expanded over time. The North Carolina Recycling
Markets Directory lists 740 individual recycling companies as of March 2014. This figure represents a
quadrupling of North Carolina recycling firms since the Directory was established in 1989. Particularly
important kinds of recycling companies in the state include glass manufacturers, large scale PET and HDPE
reclaimers, automotive, textile, and construction product manufacturers that rely on recycled plastic, C&D
recyclers, material recovery facilities, tissue and paper packaging manufacturers, asphalt pavers, and
composters.
3.11 Emergency Response and Disaster Debris Management Program
The Solid Waste Section (Section) by general statute is the regulatory entity at the state level charged with the
management of solid waste, including waste generated as part of a natural disaster such as a hurricane or
tornado. The first significant Section involvement in disaster debris management occurred during the 1996
hurricane season when it developed a strategy of comprehensive and effective management of debris created
by disaster/weather events. As part of the recovery effort to Hurricane Floyd in 1999, then Governor Jim Hunt
made major changes in state government to ensure that it would be better organized and prepared for disaster
as it became evident that the Federal Government programs could not fully support the needs of the state.
Hunt's efforts led to the creation of 22 new state agencies or programs at a cost of nearly $836 million and
established North Carolina as a model for other states. Improving the state's disaster response and recovery
capabilities has continued to be an emphasis of every administration since that time.
The planning and response to such events has become a year-round responsibility for Section staff, particularly
the Field Operations Branch. The Field Operations Branch currently has 20 of its 22 staff directly involved in
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emergency response and disaster debris management to ensure the protection of the environment and public
health through the proper management of waste and to ensure local governments are properly aligned with
Federal (FEMA) and State (NC DEM) requirements for reimbursement for the management of disaster debris.
Staff are members of the State Emergency Response Team, and due to changes in Homeland Security at the
federal level over the past decade these responsibilities have expanded to include not only natural disaster
cleanups, but also to assist local authorities in management of solid waste in the event of a terrorist attack.
Disaster recovery is often one of the least understood functions across government and can easily be
mismanaged without proper training and coordination. It has been proven time after time that the
management of debris generated from disasters is one of, if not the most costly, expenses in the recovery
process. Therefore, it is imperative that the Section continually evaluate policy, guidance, forms, and internal
and external training and processes to ensure it meets the needs of local governments, other state and federal
agencies, businesses, and citizens of the state in providing oversight of these programs and activities.
Figure 3.9: Map of Active Debris Management Sites after March Ice Storms
A recent example of the Solid Waste Section's efforts in this area are ice storms in Central and Eastern NC on
March 6-7, 2014, that caused major damage to several counties in terms of power outages and downed trees.
President Obama signed a Major Disaster Declaration on March 31, 2014, for the North Carolina counties of
Alamance, Caswell, Davidson, Davie, Granville, Guilford, Orange, Person, and Randolph. The President's
action made federal funding available to state and eligible local governments for emergency work and the
repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm. The volume of storm debris for such a
small storm turned out to approximately a million cubic yards in Davidson, Guilford, and Randolph counties.
Section staff was quickly called upon to assist local and state agencies in establishing debris management sites
(see Figure 3.10), attending local government meetings, working with out of state disaster recovery
contractors, NC DOT, and other local, state, and federal officials.
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Figure 3.10: Solid Waste
Section staff inspecting
the City of Greensboro
Debris Management
Site: Demonstrating the
vast amount of debris
waste that can be
generated by a storm.
3.12 Basis for Plan Elements
The four main plan elements in Chapter 4 were developed from the data and analysis presented above and
from DENR staff findings in the tables below. They reflect a path forward for the State to minimize the
environmental impacts of disposal, maximize the economic benefits of material recovery, successfully manage
a range of special wastes, and ensure effective engagement with stakeholders in solid waste and materials
management statewide.
Plan Element 4.1 - Facilities, Disposal, Permitting, and Compliance
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Plan Element 4.1 - Facilities, Disposal, Permittin , and Compliance
• Entrepreneurial and technological activity to divert
materials from traditional solid waste landfilling continues
to increase in North Carolina. These activities create the
need to improve regulatory and permitting processes for
successful and environmentally sound materials
management.
• North Carolina has documented the current availability of
32 years of disposal space (380 million cubic yards). The
state should maintain its monitoring of disposal capacity in
Plan Element 4.1:
order to project future disposal needs. As the first
Ensure continued stewardship of landfills
generation of lined landfills reaches the second and, in some
and all other solid waste management
cases, third decade of use, the systems of groundwater
activities with the goal of protecting
protection at those facilities should be closely monitored.
environmental and public health while
• Unlined closed landfills may present long-term potential to
promoting economic viability.
harm the environment and public health due to slow
decomposition processes and other variables. Monitoring,
technical assistance, and compliance will be critical for
assessing and reducing the risks associated with these
facilities.
• Although progress has been made, illegal disposal, littering,
and dumping will likely remain a continuous challenge for
the state. Collaboration with local governments and other
groups and strengthening the legal framework for
compliance will help the state address these issues.
Plan Element 4.2 - Materials Management
• As much as 800,000 tons of common residential recyclable
materials are disposed each year in North Carolina.
Optimizing the recovery of these materials, with a focus on
improving the effectiveness of local government and private
residential recycling efforts, will contribute to the materials
Plan Element 4.2:
management goals of this Plan.
Maximize material recovery, program
• Population and material density are not sufficient to sustain
efficiencies, and the expansion of new
efficient material recovery facilities in many rural areas of
markets through education, funding, and
the state. However, rural communities can take advantage of
policy initiatives.
large-scale material recovery facility (MRF) capacity through
transport of materials via "hub and spoke" transfer facilities
or via compacted smaller loads sent directly from drop-off
sites.
• Broad access to recycling for North Carolinians at away -
from -home locations, such as parks, sports fields,
convenience stores, beaches, pedestrian areas, and
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Plan Element 4.2 - Materials
entertainment venues, will increase material recovery and
will normalize and reinforce recycling behavior at home and
work.
C&D materials represent a quarter of all disposed waste in
North Carolina. Sound and enforced regulations will
enhance the reliability and legitimacy of C&D recycling.
Encouraging diversion activities at C&D disposal facilities
and targeting attention on key materials offer the best
opportunities to expand recycling C&D recycling.
• Food discards represent more than 1.2 million tons of the
disposed materials annually in North Carolina. Spreading
diversion activities across critical generating sectors and
building a broader base of collection services will effectively
expand food waste recovery.
• Establishing a competitive network of private recycling
haulers and material collectors helps ensure recycling
services are widely available to commercial, institutional,
and industrial generators. This infrastructure complements
the residential infrastructure operated by local governments
and is a source of job creation and entrepreneurial
development.
• Although banned from disposal since 1990, whole scrap tires
still require creation of a competitive hauling and processing
infrastructure and the development additional value-added
uses for the material.
• Diversion of materials from disposal will result in job and
business growth and will also provide more efficient and
localized supply streams for North Carolina manufacturers.
• Creating and maintaining a public "recycling ethic' across
the state helps improve participation and efficiency in local
government recycling programs and the effectiveness of the
overall recycling system.
• Many manufacturers and other generators are working to
achieve "zero waste to landfill' in their facilities, which will
reduce the industrial waste stream and increase the flow of
materials to recycling collectors and processors in North
Carolina.
• Optimizing recycling efforts at state agencies, universities,
and community colleges, while expanding into new areas of
diversion will help reduce disposal and improve the
efficiencies of their programs.
• Widening the adoption of best management practice
collection techniques will improve the overall efficiency of
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Plan Element 4.2 - Materials Management
the local electronics recycling program and bolster the
electronics recycling industry in the state.
• Many materials in the discard stream are not readily
recyclable due to cross -contamination with other materials
or by being combined with other materials in composite
products. Energy recovery ranks higher than landfill
disposal in the state's waste management hierarchy and
should be explored as a way to further reduce dependence
on landfill disposal.
• The management of discarded electronics will continue to
require attention and improvement in North Carolina to
ensure the materials are handled efficiently and in a manner
that minimizes environmental impacts and compliance
issues.
Plan Element 4.3 - Special Waste Manage ent
• Solid waste streams from coal combustion and oil and gas
exploration will require further research, the development of
state regulations that are aligned with federal standards, and
identification of recycling and environmentally sound
disposal diversion options.
• Special discard streams such as leftover pharmaceuticals,
medical waste, and HHW will require ongoing attention and
the development of educational and programmatic efforts to
Plan Element 4.3:
reduce the associated environmental risks and to encourage
Promote, educate, and regulate for the safe
safe diversion from landfill disposal.
management and disposal of special wastes
• Disaster debris can be expected to be a major element of
with the goal of increased re -use / recovery
materials management for North Carolina. Cooperative
of these materials.
action with local governments, education and awareness
activities, and the development of staging, processing, and
disposal capacity will all be critical strategies for effectively
managing the debris.
• Although progress has been made, illegal disposal, littering,
and dumping will likely remain a continuous challenge for
the state. Collaboration with local governments and other
groups and strengthening the legal framework for
compliance will help the state address these issues.
Plan Element 4.4 - Customer Service/Trainin — Public Engagement
Plan Element 4.4:
• The environmentally sound management of materials and
Increase external and internal training and
solid waste is complex and requires a high level of technical
outreach with a ocus toward customer
awareness and proficiency by all stakeholders. Coordinated
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service, public awareness, and technical assistance efforts, effective state -local
environmentally sustainable solid waste and collaboration, and training programs can help ensure that
materials management. materials and waste are handled properly with minimum
effect on the environment and public health and can help
ensure greater levels of efficiency and commitment to
materials management.
• Operator certification programs are a critical strategy for
supporting compliance and environmentally sound
management of permitted facilities. The statutory
requirement for landfill operator certification provides a
useful precedent for possible certifications for HHW,
compost, industrial, and CCR facilities.
Department outreach programs have supported public
awareness of the importance of recycling and additional
outreach and training efforts could help bolster that
awareness as well as address issues such as illegal dumping
and general solid waste management.
The Department has made progress in the use of Web -based
information sources on permits and facilities. Enhancing the
use of the Web and sharing more resources online can
efficiently improve transparency, awareness, and the
general availability of critical solid waste and materials
information.
3.13 Synopsis
Data and information in this chapter of the 2014-2024 Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan provides
background and context for Chapter 4, which details the Plan Elements. Since the passage of the SB 111 in
1989, North Carolina has experienced a modernization of its waste management infrastructure, changes in its
regulatory structure, expansions in recycling, and the implementation of other key laws. The Plan Elements in
Chapter 4 are designed to maintain the state's momentum toward a solid waste and materials management
system that successfully protects the environment and public health and maximizes the economic benefits of
recovery.
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Chapter 4 Plan Elements
This Chapter of the 2014-2024 North Carolina Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan presents specific
objectives and actions for the ten year period, all organized under four main plan elements:
• Facilities, Disposal, Permitting, and Compliance
• Materials Management
• Special Waste Management
• Customer Service/Training — Public Engagement
The objectives and actions are based on the data, analysis, and findings presented in Chapter 3 and reflect a
path forward for the State to minimize the environmental impacts of disposal, maximize the economic benefits
of material recovery, successfully manage a range of special wastes, and ensure effective engagement with
stakeholders in solid waste and materials management statewide.
4.1 Plan Element: Facilities, Disposal, Permitting, and Compliance
Ensure continued stewardship of landfills and all other solid waste management activities with the goal of
protecting environmental and public health while promoting economic viability.
Objective 4.1.1 Shift from disposal
Shift from a disposal first mentality to one of materials management, beneficial reuse, recycling and energy
recovery.
1. Key Action: Review current statutes, rules and definitions concerning treatment and processing of
recycled or recovered materials and beneficial use, and align North Carolina regulations with current
national usage.
2. Key Action: Develop and implement requirements for the recovery and processing of C&D materials.
3. Key Action: Provide legal mechanisms and guidance for the operation of alternative solid waste
technologies and material management practices such as energy extraction, anaerobic digestion, gas to
energy, and pyrolysis.
4. Key Action: Evaluate the need for rules governing material recovery facilities, update transfer station
facility rules, and clarify requirements for the transport and storage of single stream recyclables.
5. Key Action: Develop a repository for information on evolving technology and lead the way in
recommending state policy and rule changes.
6. Key Action: Evaluate permit process to improve communication, timeliness, and ease of use for
applicants without compromising protection of the environment and public health
• Establish criteria and a process for stakeholders to have access to pre- and post- permit
application meetings to aid in permit preparation and quality.
• Continue to expand internal data collection and tracking in order to identify potential looming
bottlenecks and be proactive in assigning resources.
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• Educate facility owners/applicants regarding their responsibilities and actions that will enable
their permit process to progress smoothly and on time.
Objective 4.1.2 Evaluate landfills
Continue to evaluate landfill capacity, design, monitoring, and performance to maximize protection of public
health and the environment and consider the cost benefit of such actions.
1. Key Action: Review effectiveness of leachate systems with respect to loading due to age and size, head
on liner, and operational factors.
2. Key Action: Review effectiveness of the design of unlined C&D landfills for the management and
control of leachate and evaluate the need for revised design requirements.
3. Key Action: Evaluate landfill capacity, ensure adequate disposal options for the businesses and
citizens of the state, and encourage polices for regional cooperation.
4. Key Action: Determine how to best alert the public to potential or known health impacts relating to
groundwater and landfill gas issues.
Objective 4.1.3 Focus on closed landfills
Focus resources on the specific issues facing closed landfills across the state to ensure proper maintenance and
management of these permanent disposal sites.
1. Key Action: Develop and implement initiatives to minimize the known public and environmental
health impacts generated by closed landfills.
• Continue development and management of the Environmental Monitoring Database;
• Identify compliance issues linked to the maintenance and management of closed landfills and to
develop preventative strategies such as early detection with an adequate monitoring system,
assessment / investigation, corrective action, and technical assistance.
• Provide oversight and assistance for facilities to achieve continued compliance, cost savings
associated with early detection, and the minimization of potential impacts for both private
entities and local governments.
2. Key Action: Provide resources for technical assistance, site inspections, and the creation of guidance
documents on the post -closure care of landfills.
3. Key Action: Study and propose options and standards for the reduction, cessation, or extension of
environmental monitoring at closed landfills.
4. Key Action: Investigate options for custodial care of old and abandoned landfills and landfills past the
required post -closure care period.
5. Key Action: Continue to work with potential developers and facility owners to approve post -closure
usage of closed landfills while enhancing environmental and public health measures; conduct outreach
and explore providing uniform guidance on beneficial use of closed landfills.
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Objective 4.1.4 Focus on solid waste issues
Focus resources on the specific issues facing permitted solid waste management activities across the State to
minimize environmental risk and to improve economic viability and regional efficiencies.
1. Key Action: Provide resources for technical assistance, site inspections, and the creation of guidance
documents for the proper active management of solid waste facilities.
2. Key Action: Collaborate with the Division of Water Resources, waste water treatment plant owners,
local governments, and the septage industry to increase the number of facilities that treat brown grease
and septage wastes.
3. Key Action: Encourage pilot programs with local governments, septage firms, and utilities to establish
more alternative final disposal sites for brown grease waste, such as municipal anaerobic digesters
dedicated for taking brown grease waste.
Objective 4.1.5 Reduce illegal activities
Reduce illegal solid waste activities, such as littering, unpermitted disposal, and indiscriminate dumping.
1. Key Action: Collaborate with local governments, regional agencies, and private organizations engaged
in cleanup and enforcement activities.
• Continue participation in and support of the NC Solid Waste Enforcement Officers Association
• Incentivize cleanups of waterways and public areas through funding of scrap tire and litter
reduction efforts.
2. Key Action: Provide continued assistance to local governments in developing solid waste or zoning
ordinances and initiating illegal dumping enforcement programs.
• Supply a model solid waste ordinance and mechanism.
• Explore options, including possible allocation of disposal tax funds, to support local
government funding of enforcement programs.
• Explore the options to fund solid waste illegal dump cleanup operations.
• Address zoning of buildings at abandoned sites, and development of local zoning and
ordinance standards to deter illegal disposal activities.
3. Key Action: Encourage regional municipalities and local governments to issue demolition permits
which require the proper management, tracking, and disposal of C&D wastes
4. Key Action: Evaluate the extent of illegal dumping, identify trends, and target resources to meet state
reduction goals.
5. Key Action: Increase retail tire tax funding to Scrap Tire Disposal Account to prevent the cessation of
county governments' tire cleanups.
6. Key Action: Explore the accounting of pumped versus disposed grease and septage with local
governments.
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4.2 Plan Element: Materials Management
Maximize material recovery, program efficiencies, and the expansion of new markets through education,
funding, technical assistance, and policy initiatives.
Objective 4.2.1 Identify waste for diversion
Identify specific waste streams with the potential for improved material recovery and diversion and provide
technical assistance and funding to support waste diversion and recovery efforts.
1. Key Action: Maximize recovery of materials from residential sources:
• Work to increase the number of curbside recycling programs using cart -based collection.
• Encourage residential recycling programs to expand the range of materials collected with
emphasis on non -bottle plastics and cartons.
• Collaborate with local government to support expanded access to curbside recycling services in
unincorporated areas through local franchising and licensing, and through development of
private hauler recycling services in those areas.
• Support the adoption of effective multifamily recycling services by local governments.
• Collaborate with industry to standardize the residential collection mix in "MRF-sheds."
• Explore policy or legislative tools to broaden funding options for county recycling programs.
2. Key Action: Increase opportunities for North Carolinians to recycle away from home.
3. Key Action: Increase diversion of food waste from landfill disposal.
• Allocate resources to support and promote the first local government -operated residential food
waste collection programs.
• Promote the diversion of food waste from supermarkets across the state.
• Support development of food waste collection capacity by traditional large haulers,
independent haulers, and composters.
• Work with the UNC System to establish food diversion operations on all campuses.
• Allocate resources to support the establishment of food waste diversion initiatives in school
districts.
4. Key Action: Increase the recovery of recyclable C&D materials.
• Modernize C&D permitting regulations to ensure and strengthen legitimate C&D recycling
activities
• Work to expand material markets for wallboard and C&D wood
• Focus resources to support increased asphalt shingle recovery rates across the state.
5. Key Action: Support and encourage the adoption of "zero -waste -to -landfill" practices at industrial
facilities and other locations.
• Create and maintain database of manufacturers and other companies working to achieve zero -
waste -to -landfill.
• Provide training and direct assistance to manufacturing and other industries implementing
zero -waste -to -landfill.
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6. Key Action: Encourage the adoption and use of source reduction programs and activities, including
backyard composting, junk mail and phone book reduction, and other waste prevention techniques.
7. Key Action: Support development and implementation of State recycling policies.
• Explore introduction of product stewardship legislation for paint and mercury devices.
• Analyze and recommend additional disposal bans on materials with strong and consistent
markets.
8. Key Action: Work to maximize the efficiency of the State's electronics recycling program.
9. Key Action: Support the collection of new materials with emerging markets such as agricultural
plastics, compact fluorescent light bulbs, mattresses, and plastic film (residential/non-commercial).
10. Key Action: Work with state agencies, universities, and colleges to maximize efficiency and
effectiveness of waste reduction programs.
Objective 4.2.2 Improve materials management
Improve material management in North Carolina through the collection, analysis, and distribution of
information in key areas of waste diversion, and by engaging with key representative groups outside of North
Carolina.
1. Key Action: Conduct periodic studies and analyses to support the state's solid waste and recycling
planning.
2. Key Action: Participate in coordinated activities with EPA Region 4, EPA Headquarters, other states in
the Southeast Region, and other entities who can improve recycling in North Carolina.
3. Key Action: Participate in discussions with brand owners, packagers, and related trade associations to
encourage packaging waste reduction and industry support for improvement of recycling systems.
Objective 4.2.3 Support recycling economy
Support development and streamlining of the North Carolina recycling economy as well as economic
initiatives in the material management and waste diversion industries.
1. Key Action: Work to improve efficiency of material movement from rural areas to MRF facilities.
• Support the transition of rural convenience centers to single stream collection.
• Work with rural areas to create "hub and spoke" transfer operations where appropriate and
feasible.
2. Key Action: Work with industry to expand the private sector material collection infrastructure by
supporting the development of independent haulers and by helping larger haulers expand recycling
services.
3. Key Action: Conduct strategically targeted grant programs to develop and enhance key features of the
recycling economy.
• Explore ways to increase available funding for recycling grants.
4. Key Action: Increase the level of integration between collection, processing, and material end -users
within North Carolina.
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• Hold annual recycling business fairs in North Carolina.
5. Key Action: Support the expansion of composting infrastructure throughout the state
• Work with both private and public sectors to improve regional coverage of composting services
and facilities.
• Improve the permitting, technical assistance, and demonstration process for newly established
and existing composting operations.
• Encourage and promote the composting of brown grease and septage wastes through technical
assistance, education and training opportunities.
6. Key Action: Encourage the development of North Carolina based markets for the recycling of scrap
tires.
4.3 Plan Element: Special Waste Management
Promote, educate, and regulate for the safe management and disposal of special wastes with the goal of
increased re-use/recovery of these materials.
Objective 4.3.1 Evaluate regulations
Evaluate specific industry waste streams with evolving regulatory requirements and adjust North Carolina
regulations to be responsive to the economics and environmental factors associated with these emerging
industries.
1. Key Action: Align state regulations with federal standards while promoting proper management and
alternative uses for CCR.
• Ensure that state administrative code and forthcoming federal regulations align regarding
electric power plant waste, including CCR.
• Continue annual inspections of industrial landfills, and as needed CCR structural fills, to align
with forthcoming regulations.
• Work with NC DOT to develop construction specifications for the use of CCR in roadway and
bridge construction.
2. Key Action: Evaluate the exploration waste and production waste generated from the oil and gas
industry with the intent of creating waste screening protocol tailored to safeguard the landfill
owners/operators and the public from environmental or health hazards associated with the processing
and disposal of those wastes.
• Extrapolate the expected composition of waste generated in the exploration and production of
oil and gas by identifying states with similar geography and industry methods.
• Evaluate waste generated during initial exploration projects, including shale cuttings, to
determine composition and the possible need for adjusted regulations to further protect public
health and the environment.
• Communicate openly with the public and the regulated community regarding both
environmental concerns, regulatory safeguards, and approved industrial practices for both
disposal and processing sites.
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Objective 4.3.2 Reduce toxicity
Expand efforts to reduce the toxicity of the disposed waste stream and to educate, develop guidance, and to
increase access to collection sites to properly and economically manage wastes with unique environmental and
public health hazards.
1. Key Action: Educate and communicate options for the proper management of pharmaceutical wastes.
2. Key Action: Clarify and communicate the difference between regulated medical wastes and those
wastes which do not require special handling, processing, or disposal.
• Develop outreach material tailored to educate medical facilities and households.
3. Key Action: Increase the number of HHW collection locations and events by focusing resources on
local governments and regional agencies.
4. Key Action: Improve outreach and education regarding the hazards of nuisance tire dumps and
continue to support local cleanup efforts.
5. Key Action: Clarify medical waste regulations to ensure that conditions during transportation and
storage of regulated medical waste reflect current industry practices as well as best management
practices.
Objective 4.3.3 Improve disaster debris response
Improve efficiencies and communications in managing disaster debris waste.
1. Key Action: Increase education and awareness of local governments, contracting companies and
citizens that participate in clean-up efforts.
2. Key Action: Improve on post -event communication tools and procedures that will allow staff to better
respond to local governments, contractors, FEMA, NC DEM, and local emergency management
officials while in the field.
3. Key Action: Assist local governments in establishing disaster debris management plans and in
increasing the number of Temporary Disaster Debris Storage (TDDS) sites that could be utilized during
a natural disaster event.
4. Key Action: Maintain the existing emergency management debris program while increasing
awareness, conducting training events, and processing additional TDDS sites within the State.
5. Key Action: Continue efforts to educate local governments, involved agencies, and private industry
regarding proper disaster debris management and FEMA reimbursement practices.
6. Key Action: Explore better coordination with NC DOT on disaster debris management.
4.4 Plan Element: Customer Service/Training - Public Engagement
Increase external and internal training and outreach with a focus toward customer service, public awareness,
and environmentally sustainable solid waste and materials management.
Objective 4.4.1 Provide assistance
Provide technical assistance for the purpose of both promoting waste reduction and ensuring environmentally
sound processing and management of solid waste.
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1. Key Action: Continue to work with local municipalities to coordinate efforts on the prevention and
management of illegal dumping and pollution prevention opportunities.
2. Key Action: Provide individualized assistance to municipal and county recycling programs on
technical issues, and provide broader recycling technical assistance through conferences, training
sessions, and distribution of information.
3. Key Action: Continue development of internal training to ensure continual process improvement,
regulatory consistency, and strong customer service along with timely and accurate technical advice to
both the public and solid waste management facilities.
4. Key Action: Expand Customer Service Training initiatives and opportunities for staff.
Objective 4.4.2 Implement certifications
Implement operator certifications and improve facility compliance through an increased knowledge of Solid
Waste Management Laws and Rules.
1. Key Action: Collaborate with the regulated community to establish qualifications and develop policies
and protocols related to training procedures for certified solid waste management operator training
programs.
2. Key Action: Implement a program to audit and evaluate existing certified operator courses approved
by the Solid Waste Section.
3. Key Action: Recommend the solid waste industry develop new certification training for operators of
solid waste management facilities: HHW collection facilities, large type compost facilities, industrial
landfills, including CCR landfills.
Objective 4.4.3 Develop training
Develop external training and outreach programs to support education on solid waste and materials
management topics.
1. Key Action: Collaborate with regulated community and other stakeholders to identify and respond to
training needs.
2. Key Action: Identify accredited educational institutions that currently offer pertinent materials, courses
of study, and research, to expand educational opportunities for operators of solid waste management
facilities and those seeking to become knowledgeable in proper solid waste management.
3. Key Action: Identify and modify existing internal section training for external use.
4. Key Action: Maintain and expand state -level outreach campaigns aimed at increasing public recycling
behavior.
• Use media and other public outlets to conduct state -level recycling outreach.
• Provide direct assistance to municipal and county recycling programs on the development of
brochures, signage, and other outreach materials, using state campaign imagery and messages
to leverage the effects of state -level outreach.
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5. Key Action: Expand educational venues and develop outreach materials for educating the public on
illegal dumping and the benefit of local enforcement programs.
6. Key Action: Inform the septage industry through a series of training events about the benefits of
composting brown grease waste and septage waste.
Objective 4.4.4 Improve technology
Improve technology and online resources, making information and training elements clear and easy to find.
1. Key Action: Continue with online tracking of application status and processing times of permits issued
within the NC DENR Permit Application Tracker.
2. Key Action: Expand the use of GIS and online mapping to make site locations and information
available to the public.
3. Key Action: Continue to improve access to facility history and records utilizing an online document
database.
4. Key Action: Establish web access for training and outreach materials that serve as up-to-date resources
for both external customers and staff.
• Develop training and guidance materials for external customers.
• Provide a calendar of training events and information on how to obtain certifications.
• Outline requirements for private vendors seeking to provide Division of Waste Management -
approved courses for certification and professional development.
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Chapter 5: Conclusion
The 2014-2024 North Carolina Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan establishes a framework for the
State to address past, current and future needs in solid waste and materials management. The Plan also
provides objectives and key actions that not only ensure public safety and protect the environment but also
deliver economic benefits. Public input is a required component of plan development and has been
incorporated throughout the final document. This input, coupled with analyses of the previous plan's
successes and shortcomings, formed the basis for this Plan's elements and recommended actions.
In keeping with the Plan's 10-year span, all four elements have a deadline of 2024, but successful strategic
plans are inherently flexible and designed to be adapted as circumstances change. As with any plan, this Plan's
effectiveness rests on the state's ability to monitor outcomes and adapt as needed.
Combined action from the General Assembly, the Department, local governments, the waste management
industry, private businesses, and North Carolina residents will be needed to achieve the goals. The four plan
elements and their associated objectives are vital to improve solid waste and materials management in North
Carolina. They are also necessary to safeguard the public health and welfare. North Carolina has achieved a
great deal in its last 10 years of solid waste and materials management. The Plan sets the path for another 10
years of safe and successful solid waste and materials management.
2014-2024 North Carolina Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan 47