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<br />Cabarrus County Recycling Policy <br /> <br />A Policy establishing procedures and programs to increase the participation in recycling programs and <br />minimize the waste materials generated by Cabarrus County agencies and contractors. <br /> <br />Purpose <br /> <br />This policy is designed to encourage and increase recycling and waste reduction in Cabarrus County <br />offices. The three main goals are to: <br /> <br />1. Minimize the amount of waste generated at the source within the county. <br />2. Increase the reuse and recycling of products within county offices. <br />3. Purchase and use products and services which are environmentally preferable whenever <br />practicable. <br />4. Manage recyclable products within county offices. <br /> <br />Background <br /> <br />Local and state government combined purchase more than $1 trillion of goods and services each year. <br />Many of these products contribute to problems in the overall environment, including contamination of the <br />air and water, and depletion of environmental resources, In some instances, products require special <br />waste disposal and reporting procedures which can be cumbersome and expensive. Furthermore, local <br />government employees using these products may be exposed to compounds that are potentially harmful <br />to their health. <br /> <br />Cabarrus County has an opportunity to serve as a community model for environmental leadership by <br />incorporating a plan of action that wm conserve precious resources such as water, raw materials, and <br />energy, reduce the use of hazardous substances, and potentially improve the environmental quality of the <br />region. By incorporating environmental considerations in public purchasing, Cabarrus County can reduce <br />its burden on the local and global environment, remove unnecessary hazards from its operations, protect <br />public health, reduce costs and liabilities, and help develop markets for environmentally responsible <br />products. <br /> <br />Definitions <br /> <br />The following terms shall havethe assigned definitions for all purposes under this policy: <br /> <br />- "Agency" means any department directly under the management of Cabarrus County or occupying <br />space within a building owned or otherwise managed by Cabarrus County. <br /> <br />- "Available Locally" means that one or more businesses within the county or immediate surrounding <br />area are able to provide goods and services in a timely manner, and in sufficient quantity and quality to <br />meet a specific department/agency need. <br /> <br />- "Biodegradable" means the ability of a substance, material, or product ingredient to readily <br />decompose by the action of microbes, <br /> <br />- "Chlorofluorocarbon, (CFC)" refers to the family of compounds of chlorine, fluorine, and carbon. <br />CFC's contribute to the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer, and have been used as an <br />ingredient for refrigerants, solvents, and for blowing plastic-foam insulation and packaging. The <br />Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer calls for complete elimination of CFC <br />production. <br /> <br />I <br />....f <br /> <br />~- I ~ <br />