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Comprehensive Plan Solid Waste Sub -Element * Evaluation of how the useful life of the existing landfill has been extended or can be extended through source reduction, recycling, and landfill development; and * Review of disposal charges, bonding requirements and the role and effectiveness of the SWDD. Overall, the Solid Waste Master Plan provides specific guidance for solid waste management within the County. Many of the policies of the Solid Waste Master Plan are similar to the policies of the solid waste sub -element of the comprehensive plan. EXISTING SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM To varying degrees, all land uses produce solid waste. This waste then must be handled in one of several ways. Most commonly, solid waste is disposed of in a landfill. As more land is needed for disposal, the threat of groundwater pollution increases, and the cost for construction and operation of the landfill also increases. For those reasons, recycling and other alternatives to disposal have recently come under serious consideration. Currently, Indian River County maintains the County landfill facility for the disposal of solid waste produced in the County. The solid waste system, however, involves more than just the disposal of solid waste; it also involves the generation and collection of such waste. This section addresses these three components. Presently, the county's solid waste system consists of franchised solid waste collectors; five customer convenience centers (Figure 3.C.1 shows the location of solid waste facilities in Indian River County); a disposal system (Figure 3.C.2 shows the locations of the county's solid waste management facility); a hazardous waste management program; and a recycling program. In the incorporated areas of the County, solid waste collection is the responsibility of the respective municipalities. In the unincorporated area, the SWDD Board has the legal authority to award franchises to private haulers. Currently, two franchised haulers, Treasure Coast Refuse and Waste Management Inc. of Florida, provide curbside collection services in the county's unincorporated area. Generation, collection, and processing/disposal are the three elements of municipal solid waste management. Each must be considered when assessing a municipal solid waste (MSW) system. Generation Given the solid waste tonnage produced by residential, commercial, industrial, and special waste generators, Indian River County's unit contribution rate of solid waste averages 2.4 tons per capita/per year for the County's permanent population plus weighted seasonal population. The solid waste industry weight standard is the short ton. A short ton equals 2,000 pounds. Based on this unit contribution rate, the annual per capita solid waste generation is estimated to be 4,800 pounds (lbs), of which approximately one third is recycled and the remaining two thirds is landfilled. According to SWDD records, the average annual per capita landfill capacity consumption rate is approximately 2.5 cubic yards (Solid Waste Management Master Plan, 2007 update). The Community Development Department Indian River County 4