Council Takes Action on Recycling and Solid Waste Issues

Charleston County News Release

MEDIA CONTACT

Name:   Jennie Davis, Charleston County Public Information Officer

Phone: 843.958.4012

Email:   jdavis@charlestoncounty.org

Release Number: 3045

Date: September 2, 2009

See the County’s solid waste and recycling fact sheet online: http://www.charlestoncounty.org/pdfs/SolidWasteManagementStudy-MediaHandout.pdf

Council Takes Action on Recycling and Solid Waste Issues

In a continuing effort to improve how Charleston County Government manages solid waste and recyclable materials, Charleston County Council discussed options and took action at its September 1, 2009 regular council meeting.

Council approved the following motion:

In order to continue advancing development of Charleston County’s Green for Green Solid Waste Management program, and whereas the County has previously adopted a 40% recycling goal and has a long-term objective to provide the premier solid waste program in the southeastern United States, staff requests Council to consider the following actions:

1. Authorize staff to:

   1. Negotiate a contract for short-term solid waste transfer and disposal of municipal solid waste

   2. Negotiate a contract for recyclable materials processing and/or marketing services

   3. Provide a short list of companies interested in providing emerging waste conversion technologies that meet the County’s needs

2. Fully utilize the existing composting facility at the Bees Ferry Landfill so that all yard waste is composted, resulting in a significant increase in the County’s recyclable rate. Investigate the potential to compost commercial food waste and other organic feed stocks.

3. Implement a staff and operational department-wide efficiency and accountability program.

4. Identify and explore public-private partnerships for all appropriate County solid waste operations.

5. Identify the percentage of recyclable materials currently being disposed of that will provide necessary base-line data for planning and designing all collection, processing, marketing, and disposal systems.

6. Manage the transitional process and closure of Montenay incinerator.

7. Prepare ordinance(s) to implement a construction and demolition debris recycling program that may include, but not limited to, licensing or franchise fees, and sets a recycling requirement.

8. Provide Council periodic updates regarding the status of activities and accomplishments.

9. Continue seeking opportunities for regional solutions.
    

The public can find online information related to this topic as follows:

• To see previous related Council actions prior to today’s actions, visit the County’s fact sheet at http://www.charlestoncounty.org/pdfs/SolidWasteManagementStudy-MediaHandout.pdf.

• See the Charleston County’s Environmental Management Department’s page at http://www.charlestoncounty.org/Departments/SolidWaste/recyclinginfo.htm.

• To see the newly created Charleston County Council Green Initiatives Web page, which includes information on the County’s Green Ribbon Committee, visit http://www.charlestoncounty.org/GreenInitiatives.htm.   

For more news and information on Charleston County Government, visit the County’s main Web site at www.charlestoncounty.org.