MEMORANDUM

TO:                         Mayor Lawrence and Members of the Town Council

 

FROM:                  Scott E. Hildebran, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:           Watauga County Zero Waste Project

 

DATE:                   April 10, 2007

______________________________________________________________________

 

Watauga County Zero Waste Project Representative Jasmine ShoShanna has requested to update Council on their zero waste efforts in the county.

 

According to the GrassRoots Recycling Network, “Zero Waste is a design principle for the 21st Century that seeks to redesign the way resources and materials flow through society. Zero Waste requires eliminating subsidies for raw material extraction and waste disposal, and holding producers responsible for their products and packaging 'from cradle to cradle.' The goal is to promote clean production, prevent pollution, and create communities in which all products are designed to be cycled safely back into the economy or environment.”

 

Also, below please find excerpts from the meeting minutes of the Boone Town Council and the Watauga County Board of Commissioners regarding the zero waste initiative for your information:

 

TOWN OF BOONE TOWN COUNCIL

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2006 MEETING MINUTES

 

UPDATE FROM ZERO WASTE COMMITTEE AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF A ZERO WASTE PLAN

Council member Brantz said the committee has had several meetings and that he is excited about the work that has been accomplished so far. Council member Mason said the proposed resolution will set the framework for the Town’s future and that other communities in NC and nationwide are adopting similar resolutions. Jasmine Shoshanna agreed that the Town Council is doing a great job in looking out for the future of Boone. Ms. Shoshanna said that 60 to 80% of the Town’s trash can be composted and turned into topsoil. On a motion by Council member Mason, seconded by Council member Spann, Council moved to adopt the following resolution:

 

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF A ZERO WASTE PLAN

WHEREAS, Boone is our home where we live, work, and raise our families; and

WHEREAS, A pristine environment is both desirable and essential for a sustainable community; and

WHEREAS, We have enormous natural capital resources in our backyard; and

WHEREAS, Zero Waste provides educational opportunities; and

WHEREAS, Zero Waste events have been done locally and we desire to see these expanded; and

WHEREAS, The disposal of discards into waste stream end-of-pipe facilities that bury or burn wastes causes environmental damage and such wrong placement causes long-term pollution liabilities and concerns; and

WHEREAS, Source pollution is a resource out of place; and

WHEREAS, A responsible disposal hierarchy encourages us to reduce, reuse, compost, or recycle; and

WHEREAS, A Zero Waste Plan will promote the proper disposal hierarchy of reduce, reuse, compost, recycle of our discards (paper, reusables, polymers, putrescibles, construction/demolition/ceramics, wood, plant debris, textiles, soils, metals, glass, chemicals) into processes that will address local problems with local solutions, employ local people in new jobs, and enhance our community and environment; and

WHEREAS, Waste stream reductions of 80% for composting organics, 40% for recycling, and 20% for reusing are possible; and

WHEREAS, Facilities for these activities are demonstrated to be safe and effective; and

WHEREAS, These integrated facilities protect and enhance the environment, provide local jobs, sustainable economic opportunity and security; and

WHEREAS, Material sources are finite; and

WHEREAS, Fossil energy sources are finite; and

WHEREAS, Taxpayers bear the cost of collection, transportation, disposal, and environmental damage; and

WHEREAS, Tax subsidies for virgin materials and waste send the wrong message to both consumers and producers; and

WHEREAS, Disposal bans for some materials already exist and will expand creating the demand for alternative methods and facilities; and

WHEREAS, Producers should design products to minimize disposal and Zero Waste encourages producer responsibility; and

WHEREAS, Recognizing that voluntary recycling goals have not, and in all probability cannot, achieve waste elimination; and

WHEREAS, The Town of Boone has adopted the U. S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement; and

WHEREAS, The understanding that government is ultimately responsible for leading by example and establishing criteria needed to eliminate waste, so that manufacturers produce and businesses sell materials that can be safely recycled or composted;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOONE TOWN COUNCIL supports the creation of a Zero Waste Plan in order to eliminate waste and pollution in the manufacture, use, storage and recycling of materials.

 

Adopted this the 19th day of October, 2006.

 

Loretta Clawson, Mayor

Freida Van Allen, Town Clerk

 

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2007 MEETING MINUTES

 

PROPOSED RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF A ZERO WASTE PLAN

Ms. Jasmine ShoShanna with the Boone Zero Waste Task Force updated the Board on their initiative and requested the Board take action to work toward a zero waste county.

 

This report was for information only and therefore, no action was taken.

 

TOWN OF BOONE JOINT MEETING REQUEST

County Manager Nelson stated that the Boone Town Council had requested a joint meeting with the other municipalities in the county, Appalachian State University and Watauga County with suggested dates for the meeting of May 14th or 15th, 2007, beginning at 4:00 P.M.

 

After discussion and by consensus, the Board directed the County Manager to relay to the Town of Boone that May 14, 2007, at 4:00 P.M. would work and also to request that the following topics be added to the agenda: zero waste, Department of Transportation proposals for Hwy 421, water/sewer, and greenway/recreation opportunities.