Union County Solid Waste Division implements new Trash Pass program and litter mitigation efforts

The Board of County Commissioners for Union County, North Carolina, held a regular meeting on April 7, 2025, focusing on solid waste management and proposed changes to enhance efficiency and sustainability.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the county's solid waste management system, which includes a municipal solid waste transfer station and a construction demolition landfill. The transfer station, located on Austin Chaney Road, processes waste collected from across the county and ships it to Hanson County for disposal. The operations are funded through an Enterprise Fund, ensuring no impact on the general fund.

The county has also implemented a "Trash Pass" program, allowing residents to dispose of a limited amount of waste for free. This initiative has led to an increase in waste tonnage processed, with a reported 13% rise attributed to the program's popularity. However, the program has created a financial gap, with operating costs for the satellite convenience centers exceeding $1 million, requiring a general fund contribution of $650,000.

To address these challenges, the board proposed eliminating cash transactions at the convenience centers to streamline operations and enhance security. A limit of ten 13-gallon bags per visit would be enforced, with plans to eliminate fees for recycling televisions, which have become less common. The board aims to increase the general fund's contribution to the Trash Pass program to fully support its operations.

Additionally, the meeting highlighted the county's litter mitigation efforts, including community outreach programs and volunteer events to clean up litter. The Solid Waste Division is committed to educating the public about waste management and has launched a new webpage to centralize information on litter issues.

The board also discussed future capital improvements, including the construction of a new operations center and the phased expansion of the landfill, which is expected to provide an additional 20 years of capacity.

Overall, the meeting underscored the county's commitment to improving solid waste management services while addressing financial sustainability and community engagement. The proposed changes are set to enhance operational efficiency and ensure that the county can meet the growing demands of its waste management system.