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Haywood recycling program ranks No. 1 in state; county to reinstate hauler registration and new MRF rules
Summary
Solid-waste director reported Haywood County ranked first statewide for recycling in FY25, described materials the county accepts and announced an October 1 policy rollout that will reinstate hauler registration, an hauler workshop on Sept. 1, and an annual registration requirement effective Jan. 1.
Haywood County's recycling and solid-waste staff reported progress reaching the state's top recycling rank and outlined operational and policy steps to maintain sustainability.
Solid-waste director Zandra Herkendahl told commissioners the county advanced from sixth place in fiscal year '24 to number one in fiscal year '25 statewide and emphasized outreach efforts and partnerships as key drivers. She described the county MRF's permitted scope — mixed waste processing for household recycling, electronics, scrap tires, batteries and periodic household hazardous-waste events — and said a recent collection event removed roughly 15,000 pounds of material from the waste stream.
To strengthen operations, the department will reestablish hauler registration and operating procedures: staff will notify haulers, hold a workshop on Sept. 1, implement a policy rollout on Oct. 1 and require hauler registration to be in effect by Jan. 1. Officials emphasized that correct routing of recycled material to the MRF and landfill-banned materials to White Oak Landfill helps keep costs down and extends facility life. Directors also said they are exploring county support for special recycling streams — for example, packaging foam collected by a community volunteer at the Waynesville Farmers Market — and urged continued public education about acceptable materials.
