Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solid Waste Recycling topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Solid Waste Authority reports rising recycling tonnage, seeks long‑term outlet for organics recovery
Summary
The Berkeley County Solid Waste Authority reported increased single‑stream volumes and other tonnages for 2024, updated staffing at authority offices, and urged progress on restarting an organics‑to‑energy partner (Purcell/SORGA) to help stabilize program revenues.
The Berkeley County Solid Waste Authority on Feb. 18 presented its 2024 annual report to the commission, reporting increased single‑stream and plastic tonnages, stable recycling participation and new staff hires while urging the county to continue work on a longer‑term organics recovery arrangement.
Vice chairman Mark Barney told commissioners the authority recorded about 125,000 vehicle visits to drop‑off centers in 2024 and that single‑stream curbside subscribers rose to 3,772 households. The authority reported year‑over‑year gains in several categories — notably plastics and single‑stream material — while organics tonnage was lower in 2024 because the year was relatively dry, authority staff said.
Barney introduced new part‑time program manager Lynn Lashley and program administrator Althea Bear, who will take on day‑to‑day administration after a recent staffing transition. He said authority operations are running smoothly and credited staff for stabilizing routine collection and educational programs, but urged action on a longer‑term recovery outlet for organics and single‑stream material. The authority and commissioners discussed previous efforts to work with a private firm, Purcell, and the challenges of finding a stable market for recyclables and organics.
The authority described continuing community litter control programs, bulky‑goods and tire collection events, and school recycling outreach; staff noted the county’s voluntary drop‑off model reduces landfill disposal costs and is preferable to a mandated, subscription‑wide recycling mandate that a private hauler might otherwise face. Barney asked commissioners to continue support for authority initiatives, including potential outreach and infrastructure on the north end of the county where a full recycling center is currently not available.
Commissioners thanked authority representatives for the report and discussed whether additional north‑end collection capacity or more frequent outreach events would be feasible. No formal funding motion was taken at the session; authority representatives said they will return with specific requests if they identify capital or operating needs.
