07-30-10 Orange County to Prepare New Solid Waste Management Plan

Seeks Input from Municipalities in Plan Development

Reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost are primary concepts behind the New York State Department of Conservation’s (DEC) proposed new solid waste management plan “Beyond Waste.” Now in draft form and open for public comment, the plan focuses on decreasing the amount of trash that ultimately makes it to a landfill.

In response to NY DEC’s “Beyond Waste” plan, Orange County has embarked on an effort to develop a new solid waste management plan of its own that will conform to the State’s plan. Orange County’s current solid waste management plan was prepared in 1991 and updated in 1995/96. It is set to expire at the end of 2010.

To assist in the development of the new plan, Orange County has retained Cornerstone Environmental Group LLC. Nationally recognized for their environmental expertise and experience in solid waste management, Cornerstone’s national headquarters is located in Middletown. They have performed work in more than 40 states.

“Gone are the days of simply dropping your trash into a bag that’s left at the curb and delivered to a landfill,” said Orange County Executive Edward A. Diana in announcing the County’s efforts to develop a new solid waste management plan. “Today, trash disposal is a complex, multi-faceted operation,” continued Mr. Diana. “Coupling Cornerstone’s national experience with input from Orange County municipalities will help us to develop a state-of-the-art plan that will be good for the environment and good for our communities,” added the County Executive.

As a first step, Cornerstone will soon be sending a solid waste management survey to the chief elected official and clerk in each Orange County municipality in order to obtain information regarding their existing solid waste and recycling operations. This information will be analyzed by Cornerstone and the County and be an important component in plotting the County’s course for the new plan. 

Municipalities are encouraged to complete and return the survey in a timely fashion so that an accurate assessment can be compiled and the findings incorporated into the plan development. If any municipality has not received a survey by the end of August, they can obtain one by calling Orange County’s Division of Environmental Facilities and Services at 291-2640 or by emailing britzinger@orangecountygov.com.

The County’s plan will incorporate the goals contained in the State’s draft plan. These are: minimize waste generation, increase re-use, maximize recycling, enhance composting and organics recycling, and minimize the need to export waste.

“Orange County will use ‘Beyond Waste’ as a road map for developing the County’s new 10-year plan,” said Peter Hammond, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Works Division of Environmental Facilities and Services.  “Based on their goals, development of the new County plan will explore the potential for expanded education and outreach programs, an organics composting facility, alternatives to landfill utilization, and a community re-use center,” continued Mr. Hammond. “I encourage each municipality to complete their survey and share their input with our plan development team.”

The County has recently completed construction of a $5.2 million transfer station facility in Goshen which will play an integral role in addressing the County’s future waste