Orange County, NC
GBB collaborated with Orange County, NC, to develop a comprehensive Solid Waste Master Plan “Road to Zero Waste 2023-2045”. The plan outlines a path forward with 5-year benchmarks over the next two decades, along with strategies for prevention, collection, and processing for both residential and commercial entities. With a population of 150,000 residents, including the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough, as well as the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and the UNC-Healthcare System, Orange County engaged GBB to assess the current efforts and programs and to create a roadmap toward a sustainable, zero-waste future.
The County’s Goals
The project, led by the Orange County Solid Waste Department and the Solid Waste Advisory Group, set forth eight clear objectives for this project:
- Comprehensive Plan – Develop an easily understandable Solid Waste Master Plan with identifiable action items.
- Zero Waste Strategy – Create a strategy by 2045 leading to “Zero Waste” as defined by the County.
- Integration – Align the efforts of the plan with ongoing climate action plans of the County, municipalities, universities, and healthcare systems.
- Sustainable Business Model – Select a sustainable business model considering financial, social, and environmental impacts.
- Program Identification – Identify future programs, initiatives, facilities, and infrastructure to achieve the Zero Waste goal.
- Public Engagement – Engage the public effectively, including historically marginalized groups, and keep them informed.
- Education and Participation – Increase public education and participation in waste reduction and diversion programs.
- Regulatory Compliance – Ensure all proposed programs and policies comply with local, state, and federal requirements.
Challenges and Solutions
The project faced challenges such as limited accurate waste data and gaps in commercial solid waste information. However, the GBB Project Team effectively addressed these issues by providing a comprehensive assessment of the current system, collecting and analyzing data meticulously, and creating a solid baseline of tons of waste for future planning. Specifically, the baseline will help project future waste generation estimates based on population and services and will help Orange County focus on increasing recycling and diversion for strategic long-term planning.
The solutions encompassed 17 recommendations, grouped into three practical scenarios, to guide Orange County toward zero waste. These recommendations, which considered varying cost tiers and infrastructure, included raising public awareness, advocating for material bans, introducing County-level recycling requirements, and fostering innovation partnerships.
Community-Centered Approach
GBB’s commitment to racial justice and equity was evident throughout the project. The team engaged with the community, ensuring all voices were heard, and designed recommendations with their feedback in mind. This was achieved through developing, administering, and analyzing a public survey in multiple languages. We also arranged outreach efforts to promote the survey at in-person public events in the community (farmers markets), as well as online via public meetings.
Building a Sustainable Legacy
Beyond recommendations, the project included practical solutions such as ensuring consistency at waste recycling centers, implementing enforcement measures, and offering diverse cart sizes for residents. The team also envisioned model programs for waste reduction, recycling, and composting in schools, emphasizing education and engagement.
Creating a Zero Waste Blueprint
The GBB Project Team’s work with Orange County reinforces GBB’s dedication to collaborating with municipalities for sustainability, equity, and community engagement. The “Solid Waste Master Plan: Road to Zero Waste 2023-2045” lays the foundation for a future where waste reduction, recycling, and composting are the norm, while considering the community's financial, social, and environmental well-being.
Results and Next Steps
The GBB Project Team presented the “Road to Zero Waste Plan” to Orange County’s Solid Waste Advisory Group in September 2023.