TITLE
Title
NC DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (NCDEQ) COMMUNITY RECYCLING & WASTE REDUCTION GRANT
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
J. Leslie Bell (Lorelei Elkins)
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BACKGROUND
Background
This grant (NC DEQ Grant RFP attached) proposal requests State funds to purchase four (4) enclosed utility trailers for drop-off locations in the County's more rural areas to recycle foam, plastic bags, and cardboard (grant application attached). These items are typically challenging to recycle or dispose of and foam takes up significant space in trash cans and landfills and can result in illegal dumping of these materials. Additionally, cardboard frequently forms the composition of illegally burned materials since it can be difficult to fit in a recycling container. Further, plastic bag recycling typically requires a trip to the grocery store or are thrown away. These drop-off recycling units outside the city centers will reduce illegal dumping and burning while providing a recycling option for these difficult-to-recycle items. Several possible locations for the utility trailers are being considered, and we will work with our partner (Tiny House Community Development, Inc.) to select the strategic locations.
Over the past year, a foam, cardboard, and plastic bag utility trailer was provided for commingled collection at the County's four (4) annual community recycling events and were filled with to capacity. Participants expressed their pleasure that these new materials were included at these collection events with numerous subsequent requests to provide these new recycling opportunities for such materials.
Tiny House Community Development, Inc. (501c-3) in Greensboro has agreed to pick up and unload the utility trailers. While similar utility trailers exist in Greensboro and High Point, the same service is needed and has been requested in unincorporated areas of Guilford County and in other smaller towns. The utility trailers will be unloaded, and the materials processed at Tiny House Community Development, Inc.’s Greensboro facility at no cost to the County. The Grant can be up to $30,000 with a twenty percent (20%) local match.
The estimated total cost including the twenty percent (20%) local, non-reimbursable match ($5,552) is $27,760. The County will be notified in late April if this grant project is selected and if so, County expenditures less the twenty percent (20%) match will be reimbursed by grant funds. The grant RFP states that using the Solid Waste Disposal Tax Distribution money is permissible to cover the 20% match.
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDS REQUIRED
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Approve the NCDEQ Community Waste Reduction & Recycling Grant Application, including the twenty percent (20%) match, enabling Solid Waste to support the drop-off recycling program; and, if needed, authorize any necessary budget amendments up $30,000 annually for one (1) year, should the County be awarded the grant.
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