To: Hamilton County Solid Waste Management District Policy Committee Members

From: Jeffrey W. Aluotto, Solid Waste District Manager

Re: District Policy Statements

Date: April 15, 2003

At our last Policy Committee meeting, we discussed a new system for enhancing the ability of the Policy Committee to impart annual policy priorities, to District Staff, during the budget process. That system designated the May Policy Committee meeting as the primary opportunity for Policy Committee members to make suggestions that could then be analyzed by staff for potential inclusion in the budget for the next fiscal year. Staff would then report back to the Finance Subcommittee on the financial, technical and legal feasibility of those suggestions.

In order to facilitate this process, I thought the attached document might be helpful. Attached you will find a listing of most of the activities performed by District staff. Included with each item is a description of how staff interprets current policy and how we attempt to accomplish those activities, or address those issues, in a manner consistent with that policy direction. In most instances, I am highly confident that we are performing in a manner which reflects the policy guidance of the committee. However, the purpose of this revised system is to allow the Committee to look for areas where changes in policy may be necessary or to allow the Committee to direct staff to adjust activities to better reflect the policy considerations of the Committee. From my perspective, more communication on these issues is better, in the long-run, for all those involved.

With regard to recommendations for the budget process, I would offer the following note. It should be remembered that, while there is always flexibility with regard to District programming, we are still operating under a Plan ratified and passed by the County and its political subdivisions in 1999. Therefore, the ability for the District to make wholesale changes in philosophy might not be feasible until the next Plan re-write scheduled to begin in January of 2004 (This obviously depends upon the particular issue involved, level of proposed changes, etc.).

Thank you for your assistance with this process. Please keep in mind that this system represents a new way of doing things for all those involved. But my hope is that it will facilitate more synergy between the Policy Committee and Staff and will, in the end, allow us to better leverage our strengths toward the accomplishment of the District’s mission. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 513-946-7719.

This section contains activities, performed by District staff, which relate to the overall administration and operation of the District. The descriptions which follow detail how District staff attempt to perform these activities in light of current policy direction.

Solid Waste Planning - The District’s Solid Waste Management Plan will be written and updated, according to the schedule prescribed by statute, and in a manner which allows for, and takes advantage of, the maximum level of public participation.

District Funding Sources - The Solid Waste Management District is currently funded through the imposition of a disposal fee mechanism as allowed for through ORC 3734.57. If this fee does not provide revenues sufficient to implement required programs, the District’s current Plan calls for the imposition of a generation fee in an amount which will allow for full implementation of those programs.

Annual Reporting - The Solid Waste Management District will complete and submit annual reports to OEPA, in the prescribed format, regarding the level of waste reduction and recycling occurring within Hamilton County. The District will also continue to annually update its estimate of disposal capacity available both in-District and regionally.

Community Assistance/Outreach - To increase recycling rates and participation by developing and implementing comprehensive recycling marketing and outreach plans in partnership with other County and regional stakeholders. To assist local governments with providing comprehensive and cost-effective waste reduction programming. To develop recycling opportunities for materials or populations that are underserved in the current environment.

Community Grants - To provide grant funding to communities and non-profits for the purpose of increasing recycling rates and participation as well as strengthening local markets for recycled-content materials. The District will continue to seek ways to make grants more accessible and easier to administer for both the applicant and the District.

Recycling Market Development - To encourage and promote the use of recyclables in local manufacturing processes as a means of improving the cost-effectiveness of local recycling collection programs.

Business Assistance/Outreach - To provide assistance to the local business community on methods to cost-effectively reduce their waste stream and increase recycling. To provide the business community with a timely source of information on waste management issues affecting their interests.

Household Hazardous Materials - To educate residents and the media on the availability of private sector, permanent outlets for household hazardous materials. To provide convenient and free opportunities for residents to safely dispose of products not accepted by private sector outlets. The District promotes the proper disposal of household hazardous materials through partnerships on a regional level.

Yardwaste - To provide and promote convenient and free drop off opportunities for residents with a need for yard waste disposal options. The District will continually work to provide the same, or increasing levels of service, at lower cost. To educate residents on the benefits of backyard composting and source reduction with regard to yard waste.

Tires - To promote and encourage the proper disposal and, where possible, recycling of tires in Hamilton County. To educate residents and businesses on proper methods of handling old tires and to provide assistance to local governments in managing the tire waste stream within their communities.

Electronics - To promote the availability of private sector outlets accepting electronics for recycling or reuse. To educate consumers and businesses on proper disposal and recycling techniques and to provide annual opportunities for residents, businesses, and schools to recycle their electronic equipment through District funded events. The District will also actively involve itself in State and National efforts to promote extended product stewardship while examining options for more sustainable electronic recycling programming within Hamilton County.

Education Grants – To provide hands-on solid waste, recycling, composting, or reuse experiences for children and adults in the school and in various community settings (i.e. recycling centers, landfills, paper mills, nature centers, etc). To assist with innovative waste reduction, recycling, and/or composting programs that will both reduce the grantee’s waste stream while educating students on the methodology and logistics involved with establishing and maintaining a recycling program. To reduce the hazardous nature of equipment used by children, (i.e. replace mercury lab thermometers with safe alternatives). To encourage the use of recycled content items and strengthen markets for recycled content materials.

Education Outreach – To increase recycling rates and participation by increasing knowledge, changing attitudes, and motivating positive behavior regarding solid waste issues. To increase capacity of various institutions, agencies, and organizations to provide solid waste education in a manner which coincides with continually changing state and local educational standards. (i.e. train/motivate staff at schools, museums, zoos, nature centers, farms, etc. to infuse solid waste issues into existing programs and curricula).

The following items relate to issues which are continually faced by the District and how staff currently attempts to act on these items in a manner consistent with Policy objectives. While these items may not be a part of the stated, statutory mission of the District, they are nevertheless vitally important in order for the District to continue to operate effectively and in a manner which furthers its mission and preserves its credibility.

Health Department Funding - To provide financial assistance to local agencies to ensure that solid waste facilities in Hamilton County operate in compliance with State and local laws and regulations and in a manner which is protective of human health, the environment, and quality of life.

Expansion or Addition of Solid Waste and Recycling Facilities Within Hamilton County - The District recognizes the need for a safe and cost-effective solid waste and recycling infrastructure within Hamilton County. The District serves as a clearinghouse for information relating to the expansion or addition of facilities which accomplish those goals.

State and National Involvement - The District actively involves itself with State, regional, and national issues with the potential to affect waste management and recycling within Hamilton County.

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing - To promote the purchase of environmentally preferable products to Hamilton County as well as surrounding political jurisdictions, which will enhance the local and national markets for these types of products. To provide funding opportunities to implement pilot programs that can then be advertised to other County agencies and municipalities.

Green Building - To promote and encourage the practice of sustainable design to the local and regional building industry as a means of enhancing the use of recycled-content materials in future building developments. The District will continue its partnership with the American Institute of Architects - Committee on the Environment and the Southwest Ohio Chapter of the US Green Building Council. The District will continue to provide educational workshops on sustainable design and provide consulting to the industry on best management practices.

Litter - To serve as an umbrella agency to bring together stakeholders for the purpose of discussing issues related to litter and illegal dumping. To assist, where possible, in the clean-up of local dumps and serve as an educational resource with regard to litter and illegal dumping.

Encourage use of Recycle Ohio Grant funding for the clean-up of chronic open dumps.