Summer 2025

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In This Issue:

  • Statewide MRF Developments
  • Scrap Tire Bill
  • Wall Recycling Rebrands
  • Temporary Compost Permit Extensions
  • Compost Reports Due Aug. 1
  • Environmental Stewardship Initiative Central Networking Event
  • Environment, Energy, Health & Safety School Event
  • Recycling Insurance 101 Webinar
  • Compost Operators Training Course Sept. 8-12
  • Plastics Market Update

Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Developments Accelerate Across North Carolina

Several key developments have taken place across North Carolina’s recycling infrastructure in recent weeks, highlighting statewide momentum toward more efficient and resilient material recovery systems.

  • Statewide MRF Study Launched: An EPA grant-funded study of North Carolina’s MRFs is now underway. The project will gather essential data to guide future infrastructure planning. MRF operators are encouraged to participate to help strengthen recycling statewide.
  • Mecklenburg County Partners with Circular Services: Beginning June 2025, Circular Services will operate Mecklenburg County’s Pence Road MRF under a five-year agreement while the Metrolina MRF undergoes upgrades. Once renovations are complete in mid-2026, Metrolina will resume residential recycling, and Pence Road will shift to construction and demolition debris processing. The partnership will create 35 jobs and enhance local recycling capacity. Mecklenburg County Statement and coverage.
  • Curbie Expands in Western NC: Curbside Management (Curbie) has acquired Sonoco Recycling’s MRF in Candler, NC. The facility will boost regional processing capacity and service flexibility, with plans to add 15–20 jobs and handle a wide range of materials.
  • RDS Upgrades Greenville MRF: Recycling and Disposal Solutions (RDS) has modernized its Greenville, NC facility, increasing daily processing capacity by 40 tons. The upgrades, supported by two RBAC grants, will allow increased processing of single-stream recycling for plastics, paper, and cardboard in Pitt County and surrounding areas. Read more at Pitt County's website. 
     

Scrap Tire Bill is Ratified

On July 7, 2025, Governor Stein signed Senate Bill 706, County Waste Management Assistance, into law (Session Law 2025-66), restoring the Scrap Tire Disposal Account. This is a major win for local governments as it will provide a significant increase to the funding available to manage scrap tires.

The law credits 30% of the net proceeds of the scrap tire disposal tax to the reinstated Scrap Tire Disposal Account instead of the General Fund. Revenue may be used to make grants to local governments, make grants for tire market development, cover NCDEQ administrative costs, and clean up illegal scrap tire collection sites. The law becomes effective October 1, 2025, and applies to quarterly crediting of the proceeds of the scrap tire disposal tax occurring on or after that date. Stay tuned more information and view the full Session Law text for more details.  

This success is the result of years of work and dedication from partners, including NCSWANA, many county government staff, the NC Association of County Commissioners, the NC League of Municipalities, and others. Congratulations on this achievement!

Environmental Stewardship Initiative Central NC Networking Event: The NC Zoo

The ESI program is hosting a networking event for members and interested organizations on August 14th 2-4pm at the North Carolina Zoo.


Zoo address: 4401 Zoo Pkwy, Asheboro, NC 27205
Join us to learn about the North Carolina Zoo's sustainability program and take an exclusive tour of their impressive composting program and solar projects. After the tour engage in discussions with regional colleagues, and network among other EHS and sustainability professionals.


Please Register Here

 

Environmental, Energy, Health & Safety School Event

On August 5-6th at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh, the North Carolina Manufacturers Association will host the Environmental, Energy, Health & Safety School. This conference is an annual event for environmental, energy, health & safety professionals. It will include two days of sessions over three consecutive tracks, and the event will include an exhibit hall, luncheon buffets, and an evening reception for attendees.

For more information or to register use this link.

Compost Reports Are Due Aug. 1

The FY2024 – 2025 Compost Facility Annual Report is now open for permitted compost facilities to complete for the current reporting period (July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025). The completed Compost Annual Report Form is due no later than August 1, 2025. Previous years’ annual report submittals can be found online in the Solid Waste Section Document Management System.  Answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found here: NC DEQ DWM SWS Annual Report FAQs. If you need assistance completing this report, see the new Guidance Document or feel free to contact Lauren Hill at lauren.hill@deq.nc.gov or (919) 707-8371.

Recycling Insurance 101 Webinar July 31

Join RecycleGuard for a free webinar on the basics of recycling industry insurance. Recycling Insurance 101 will cover key risks, coverage options, and common issues faced by recycling businesses. Register here.

Wall Recycling Rebrands as Liberty Waste Solutions

Wall Recycling has rebranded as Liberty Waste Solutions, reflecting recent changes in the company’s structure and service focus. The rebrand follows the sale of its scrap metal division in April 2024 and reflects Liberty’s renewed emphasis on core waste management operations.

Liberty Waste Solutions provides comprehensive waste and recycling services to residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers. Their offerings include dumpster and portable toilet rentals, commercial waste collection, transfer station operations, and landfill management. The company also incorporates LEED reporting in the Raleigh market to better serve environmentally focused clients.

Currently operating in Raleigh, Greensboro, Fayetteville, and Wilmington, Liberty plans to expand its service area over the next 18 months.

New Temporary Exemption for Type 1 Compost Permits in Helene Impacted Counties

The NC General Assembly passed House Bill 251, a new temporary law exempting Type 1 compost facilities from permits in the Helene impacted counties for the next two years (see section 8.(a) on page 5).

Instead of a permit, facilities need to submit a notification with the information outlined below:

  • The facility location.
  • The name(s) and contact information of the owner and operator.
  • The type and amount of wastes to be received.
  • The composting process to be used.
  • The intended distribution of the finished product.

SECTION 8.(c) Individual sites under this section are limited to a maximum allowance of 25,000 cubic yards of material onsite at any given time.

Compost Operators Training Course (COTC) September 8-12th in Raleigh

This 5-day course, offered by the Compost Research & Education Foundation (CREF) and North Carolina Composting Council (NCCC), gives you the knowledge needed to run a successful composting facility, whether you’re just getting started or have been composting for a while. In addition to in-depth lectures by nationally recognized instructors, you'll gain practical experience through hands-on activities, including team pile build and monitoring, as well as tours to local facilities, where theories meet reality. From compost operators to environmental and agricultural consultants to local and state regulators, the COTC is for anyone who wants quality instruction from leading composting professionals and educators on the art and science of commercial-scale compost production and marketing. Click here to register for the Raleigh, NC Course. If the cost of attending this course poses a financial hardship, the North Carolina Composting Council is offering a scholarship; learn more and apply here by August 8.

Recycled Plastics Markets Softened in June 

As buyers adopted a cautious stance in response to ongoing uncertainty around U.S. tariff policy. Orders slowed across multiple material types, and recent drops in bale prices are expected to impact flake and pellet markets in the coming months.

While some materials remain up year over year, most saw modest declines compared to May. Market activity continues to reflect a wait-and-see approach as financial and policy factors evolve.

A full update on market pricing will be available in the next issue of RecyclingWorks!

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