Report on Orange County Solid Waste Management Initiatives and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1.0 Disaster Response and Climate Resilience: Aligning with SDG 11 and SDG 13

1.1 Tropical Storm Chantal Response Measures

In response to Tropical Storm Chantal, Orange County Solid Waste Management implemented measures to support community recovery and enhance resilience, directly contributing to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

• Tipping fees for construction and demolition debris from storm-impacted properties were waived through August 9 to facilitate rapid and affordable rebuilding.
• Inter-agency cooperation, a key component of resilient infrastructure (SDG 11), was demonstrated through the loaning of a collection truck to the Town of Carrboro Public Works and a sedan to another municipal partner.

1.2 Service and Communication Updates

• Residents were advised of potential delays in curbside recycling collection due to storm effects.
• Information was disseminated via the Solid Waste website and the Orange County NC Recycles App to ensure timely communication.
• Emergency alert sign-ups were promoted to strengthen community preparedness for climate-related hazards.

2.0 Promoting Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)

2.1 Solid Waste Enterprise Fund Fee Adjustments

Effective July 1, 2025, fee adjustments for landfill use and compost bins were implemented to ensure the financial sustainability of waste management services that support responsible consumption patterns. The Solid Waste Programs Fee remains unchanged.

2.2 Plastic Free July Initiative

To combat plastic pollution and advance SDG 12, the department promoted the “Plastic Free July” global movement. This initiative addresses the fact that single-use plastic items constitute nearly 9% of Orange County’s waste stream, undermining efforts for sustainable production and consumption.

Recommended Actions for Waste Reduction:

• Utilize reusable shopping bags, cups, straws, water bottles, and cutlery.
• Opt for plastic-free personal care and cleaning products.
• Purchase clothing made from natural fabrics.

2.3 Public Education on Recycling Contamination

The “Recycling Stars Program” aims to improve the quality of recyclables, a key component of creating a circular economy and achieving SDG 12. The program provides direct feedback to residents on proper recycling. Recent findings on common contaminants include:

• Spiral notebooks: The metal spiral must be removed before the paper can be recycled.
• Ice cream cartons: These are not recyclable due to their plastic lining.
• Tennis ball canisters: These are not recyclable.
• Shredded paper: Not accepted in curbside recycling but can be dropped off at designated centers.
• Sunscreen Containers: Only clean, empty, and dry hard plastic bottles are recyclable. Spray cans and tubs are not accepted.

3.0 Protecting and Restoring Ecosystems: Supporting SDG 14 (Life Below Water)

3.1 Oyster Shell Recycling Program

In alignment with North Carolina state law and in support of SDG 14 (Life Below Water), Orange County provides a cost-free drop-off for oyster shells. This program is critical for addressing the decline in oyster populations due to habitat loss and poor water quality.

3.2 Environmental Benefits of Oyster Reef Restoration

Recycled oyster shells are essential for rebuilding coastal oyster reefs, which provide significant ecological services that contribute to multiple SDGs:

1. Habitat Creation: Reefs provide vital habitats for fish, crabs, and other marine life, supporting marine biodiversity (SDG 14).
2. Water Filtration: Oysters are natural filter feeders, improving coastal water quality, which aligns with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
3. Coastal Protection: Healthy reefs reduce shoreline erosion, contributing to climate adaptation efforts (SDG 13).
4. Population Restoration: New oysters attach to the recycled shells, helping to restore wild populations and ensure the sustainability of marine resources.

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The article focuses on municipal solid waste management, disaster response, and community resilience in Orange County.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The core theme is promoting sustainable practices like recycling, waste reduction (Plastic Free July), and reuse (oyster shells).
• SDG 13: Climate Action – The article addresses the local response to a climate-related natural disaster, Tropical Storm Chantal.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water – The oyster shell recycling program is directly aimed at restoring coastal and marine ecosystems.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article mentions cooperation between Orange County and other municipal partners.

2. Specific Targets Identified

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.5: “By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses… caused by disasters…” This is addressed by the response to Tropical Storm Chantal, where Orange County Solid Waste waived tipping fees for construction and demolition debris to aid in recovery and reduce the economic burden on impacted residents.
• Target 11.6: “By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to… municipal and other waste management.” The entire article is dedicated to this target, detailing programs for recycling, composting, waste reduction, and proper disposal of materials like oyster shells and hazardous waste.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Target 12.5: “By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.” This is highlighted by the “Plastic Free July” initiative, which encourages residents to reduce single-use plastic, and the oyster shell drop-off program, which promotes the reuse of shells for reef restoration instead of landfilling. The tips on what can and cannot be recycled also contribute to this target.
• Target 12.8: “By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles…” The article serves as a public information tool. Specifically, the “Recycling Stars Program,” which provides direct feedback to residents on their recycling habits via star stickers or ‘Oops’ tags, is a direct effort to increase awareness and promote sustainable lifestyles.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.” The county’s organized response to Tropical Storm Chantal, including service alerts, fee waivers, and inter-departmental cooperation, demonstrates efforts to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to a climate-related hazard.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• Target 14.2: “By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts… and take action for their restoration…” The article’s section on oyster shell recycling directly supports this target. It explains that the collected shells are used by the North Carolina Coastal Federation to restore wild oyster populations, which in turn filter water, provide fish habitats, and reduce shoreline erosion, thereby restoring coastal ecosystems.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.16: “Enhance the… multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources…” The article mentions that “Orange County Solid Waste loaned a collection truck to the Town of Carrboro Public Works” and “Orange County Fleet loaned a sedan to another municipal partner.” This demonstrates local-level, multi-stakeholder partnerships to share resources and support operations during an emergency.

3. Indicators for Measuring Progress

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Implied Indicator for Target 11.6: The article mentions that the goal of the Recycling Stars Program is to “improve the overall quality and quantity of recyclables collected.” Therefore, the total tonnage of recycled materials and the reduction in contamination rates in recycling carts are implied indicators.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Mentioned Indicator for Target 12.5: The article states that “plastic clamshells, plastic drink cups, and plastic film make up almost 9% of Orange County’s waste.” This percentage serves as a baseline indicator for waste composition, which can be tracked over time to measure progress in waste reduction.
• Implied Indicator for Target 12.5: The amount (by weight or volume) of oyster shells collected and diverted from landfills for reuse is a clear indicator of progress in waste reduction and reuse.
• Implied Indicator for Target 12.8: The number of ‘Oops’ tags distributed versus the number of ‘Star’ stickers awarded in the Recycling Stars Program can serve as an indicator of resident awareness and proper recycling behavior. A decrease in ‘Oops’ tags over time would indicate improved public knowledge.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• Implied Indicator for Target 14.2: The article states that “Water quality improves as more oyster shells are added to estuaries.” This implies that metrics on local water quality (e.g., turbidity, nutrient levels) and the total area of restored oyster reefs are key indicators of the program’s success. The volume of shells collected serves as a proxy indicator for this restoration effort.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thelocalreporter.press