General Observations on Recycling Policy in North Carolina

1. General Observations on Recycling Policy in North Carolina • Laws and regulations have been key to almost every aspect of recycling progress in NC • Early policies focused on managing waste, and were focused on responding to garbage issues. • Later policies have focused on recycling more as a commodity issue, reflecting the transition from solid waste to materials management.

2. Foundations • Senate Bill 111 (1989) • Established goals, state programs, local government responsibilities, initial bans, SW Trust Fund, etc. • House Bill 1109 (1991) • Changed goal from recycling to waste reduction • H859 • Established local planning responsibilities • Other laws on white goods, aluminum can ban, etc.

3. Major Recent Policies • H1518 (2005) • Required all ABC permitted bars and restaurants to recycle their beverage containers. • H1465 (2005) • added oil filters, wooden pallets, oyster shells and plastic bottles to the ban list • S1492 (2007) • Revamped landfill siting and permitting requirements, established permit fees, established $2 disposal tax and its distribution framework, established the first part of NC’s electronics recycling law, including a disposal ban on computer equipment.  • H887 (2010) • Established the final state electronics recycling policy, putting producer responsibility requirements on computer and TV manufacturers, and establishing a disposal ban on computer equipment and televisions July 1, 2011

4. Other Kinds of Helpful Policies in NC • Flexible regulatory protocol that encourages shingle recycling • Allowance of “compost demonstration” sites that helps small-scale food waste diversion • Grant funding protocols: • Dedication of some grants to private recycling development • Targeted funding for specific initiatives – e.g., carts and mercury product collection • Bonus points for certain kinds of projects in grant cycles – e.g., away-from-home collection, hub and spoke

5. Some Beneficial Effects of NC Policies Encouraged by plastic bottle disposal ban, disposal tax grant funds, and DENR funding priorities Decline in waste disposal encouraged by combination of NC policies, protocols, etc

6. Some Beneficial Effects of NC Policies Doubling of plastic bottle recycling encouraged by ban but also grant funding from $2 tax Pallet disposal ban increased tonnage and business activity for recyclers

7. Some Beneficial Effects of NC Policies Tripling of tonnage handled and 250% increase in customers for filter recyclers from the oil filter disposal ban. Increase in business activity for small haulers encouraged by ABC law, disposal bans, and some funding support

8. Expanding Supply: Independent Haulers • Small haulers and new recycling start-ups playing an increasing role in material collection: • ABC customers • Other commercial customers • Unincorporated residences • Examples: • Green Pieces, Stanly County area – 130 to 2290 customers in four years. • Hatteras Recycling, Dare County – 335 to 1100 customers

9. Challenges Ahead • Governor’s current budget includes reduction in funding to Solid Waste Trust Fund from $4 million/year to $2.4 million/year • Will limit and possibly eliminate some grant programs • What future policies make the most sense in a materials management kind of world? Will they entail some shifts in responsibilities?