10-Year Solid Waste Plan Updated

The Utility Commission recently completed the 2009 update to the Forsyth County Solid Waste Management Plan (“Plan”). North Carolina General Statue 130A, otherwise known as the Solid Waste Management Act of 1989, requires all local governments to create a plan and update it every three years. The original Forsyth County Plan was written in 1997; four subsequent updates have been written since. The Plan includes Forsyth County and all incorporated municipalities. The Utility Commission staff has prepared this report on behalf of Forsyth County and its municipalities since the original document was developed.

Highlights to the 2006 updated plan include:

• New, waste reduction goals that reflect the highly competitive nature of solid waste disposal in Forsyth County.
• 1.27 tons/capita by July 30, 2019
• Waste disposal per capita for each municipality.
• Comparison of Forsyth County's disposal rate compared to the State average and other large, metropolitan counties in NC.
• Expanded discussion about the transfer of waste out-of-county.
• New waste characterization data included.
• Details about the management of electronic waste (e-waste) and recycling programs designed to minimize its disposal in landfills.

The Plan was approved and adopted by every participating jurisdiction prior to being submitted to the regional office of DENR. The submission deadline was June 30, 2009. The next updated Plan submission will be due again in 2009. (Click here to read the 2009 Solid Waste Management Plan)