Building Rural Recycling Efficiency in North Carolina Scott Mouw NC Division of Environmental Assistance and Outreach

North Carolina Development and Encouragement of Hub and Spoke Reasons for interest: Improve access to single stream MRFs Improve efficiency of rural recycling Technical Assistance On-site, direct, proactive assistance from DEAO Convenience Center Workshops Grants Larger awards ($100,000) in General Community Recycling Grant Cycle Special awards depending on opportunities

MRF Development in North Carolina New MRF since 2008 Other MRFs Pending Facility MRF revamped/modernized since 2008

MRF Efficiency: Throughput Matters Image credit: Resource Recycling Systems

Hubs & Spokes: Transfer of Single Stream = accessible single stream MRF = transferring county = good candidates for transfer

Transferring Recyclables

Parallel Focus on Rural Convenience Centers Over 600 convenience centers statewide. Vast majority still have source separation of materials and multiple rolloffs/bins. Opportunities to single or dual stream materials: Reduce operational expense Reduce long term capital expenses Improve recycling experience for citizens Active support from the State

The Collection Mix: Then and Now 1992: Newspaper Glass bottles and jars Aluminum cans Soda bottles Milk jugs Steel cans 2012 All of the 1992 list, plus: Magazines and office paper Mixed paper OCC All #1 and #2 plastic bottles Other plastic containers Aerosol cans Gable tops & aseptics Bulky rigid plastics (sometimes)

Example of NC Rural Collection Center Cardboard Glass Aluminum & Steel Can Bin Plastics Swap Shop & Oil Shed Mixed Paper Trash Compactor Office Newspaper Cooking Oil & Electronics Scrap Metal Bulky Trash Trash Pre-Crusher

Commingling Materials at Convenience Centers

Single Stream Using Compaction Image credit: Resource Recycling Systems

Single Stream Using Compaction Image credit: Resource Recycling Systems

Simplifying Convenience Centers Image credit: Resource Recycling Systems

Internal Hub and Spoke: Moore County = Single stream convenience collection = Single stream transfer station Two busiest and most remote sites now using compactors. Transfer out to Pratt MRF in Fayetteville.

Direct Convenience Center vs. Transfer Station Haul – eastern Triangle = Single Stream MRF Franklin = convenience center with compacted rolloff Nash = Single Stream Transfer Station Wake Wilson Johnston

Conclusion Hub and Spoke developing in NC, with state encouragement. Will allow rural access to single stream processing capacity Will support utilization in rural, small town curbside programs Will help optimize MRF operation Modernization of convenience centers systems will improve efficiency and mesh with Hub and Spoke.

Thank You! Scott Mouw NC DEAO scott.mouw@ncdenr.gov 919-707-8114