Georgia County Government - February 2008 - (Page 45)

be separated at a material-processing facility (MRF). Over the past few years, single-stream processing capacity, both public and private, has been built in the metro Atlanta area. With today’s announcement, the new, regional recycling hubs planned for Bulloch County, Griffin, Savannah and Valdosta-Lowndes County will support community efforts to invest in the required single-stream recycling collection and transportation infrastructure to create cost-effective recycling-collection opportunities statewide. Georgia Industry to Benefit from New Recycling Hubs Separately, recycling study data have estimated that Georgians annually throw away 2.6 million tons of recyclable materials that can be used by the state’s terminal markets. “As an added benefit, the new regional recycling hubs will support Georgiabased industry. By capturing these materials here in our state, Georgia industries using these recycled materials will not have to import these materials from around the country. We are pleased that the new hubs will not only protect Georgia’s environment, but also support Georgia jobs and businesses,” said Carol Couch, director of DNR’s Environmental Protection Division. The award-winning applicants have projected an average increase of 185 percent in recovered materials in their communities, which calculates to a projected $514,500 savings in avoided landfill-tip fees at the current statewide average tip fee of $35 per ton. The increase in recovered materials will also benefit the hub communities and many of Georgia’s strong recycling markets, with projected annual revenues of $370,000. The estimated return on investment of SWTF expenditures is less than three years for this project. Leveraging Public and Private Partnerships is Key to Success, Sustainability The award-winning applicants, the city of Griffin, the city of Savannah, Bulloch County and the city of ValdostaLowndes County, were selected based upon their efforts to significantly reduce the amount of recyclables being discarded and leverage support for their efforts. Under this program, the applicants have estimated that almost $5 million will be matched by local partners, mainly the private sector, and an additional $3 million will be supported by local government match. Each of the applicants was also selected based upon its strong mix of urban and rural areas and curbside and drop-off recycling programs. The communities were also selected because of their geographic location, as they are either served by or have access to the state’s major transportation corridors. The private-public partnerships between these communities and private-sector recycling markets provide a balanced approach to the recycling-hub concept and may also eventually serve as collection points statewide to support carpet recycling (Nylon 6) through a partnership program offered to DCA by Shaw Industries. “The care and efficient use of our natural resources is a top priority for Georgia’s citizens and families. Like water conservation, the implementation of innovative wastereduction initiatives is important for Georgia’s present and future.” – Mike Beatty, commissioner, Georgia Department of Community Affairs programs. In 2006, Governor Sonny Perdue and the Georgia General Assembly responded favorably to a new proposal developed by a team comprised by DCA and other strategic partners. Other team members included local governments, the Georgia Recycling Coalition and the state’s terminal recycling markets. Terminal recycling markets are the “consumers” of recycled materials. “We appreciate the vision exemplified by Governor Perdue and our legislators to re-establish the use of SWTF to support our state’s solid waste programs and the new, collaborative recycling programs the team proposed,” said DCA Commissioner Beatty. “Once again, our state’s leaders have demonstrated how much they value collaboration between the state with the private sector and local governments. Working as team, much more gets accomplished.” The team’s strategy will focus on developing a statewide media campaign, supporting special-event collection projects, investing in regional RECYCLING continued on page 46 Actions by Governor Perdue, Georgia General Assembly Strengthen Recycling Efforts The Solid Waste Trust Fund was established in 1990 as part of the Georgia Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act. This Act, along with its amendments, provides a framework for guiding how Georgia’s solid waste is to be managed. A 1992 amendment to the act established its primary source of funding as a $1 fee from every new tire sold in the state. Each year, fees collected the previous year are available for appropriation by the Georgia General Assembly to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), whose director is authorized by the act to serve as the trustee of the fund. SWTF monies may be used for waste reduction and recycling; litter prevention and abatement; emergency, preventive and corrective action at solid waste facilities; scrap tire management and cleanup; and closure of abandoned landfills. In 2004 and 2005, Georgia’s budget challenges did not permit the SWTF to fund the state’s solid waste management FEBRUARY 2008 www.accg.org 45 http://www.accg.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - February 2008

Georgia County Government - February 2008 Contents President's Message County Matters Regional Focus on the Georgia Mountains: Rabun, Habersham and Stephens Counties DNR Commissioner Noel Holcomb Solid Waste Management in Georgia: New Challenges Ahead Essential Elements of Negotiating Professional Service Firm Contracts The Walker County Courthouse at LaFayette Extension News: Partnerships are Key to Conservation Education Research Corner: Interns: An Asset to Every County NACo News: Counties and Climate Change FAQs Georgia Flag to Travel to All 159 Georgia Counties State Announces Regional Recycling Hub Grant Awards Abraham Joins ACCG Support Staff County Parade ACCG Launches e-Magazine Index of Advertisers

Georgia County Government - February 2008

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