The effect of falling revenues on waste management and recycling services has received attention in both North Carolina and the nation. Many local governments that have traditionally relied on general fund revenues to finance their programs have begun imposing special fees or reducing services.

For disposal of some goods—namely, large appliances and tires— North Carolina has introduced an innovative funding method. North Carolina began addressing the problems posed by these materials in the late 1980s through a series of regulations and programs, including bans on putting certain items in landfills and advance disposal fee programs. North Carolina was one of the first states in the country to institute advance disposal fees.

This article, "Paying Up Front for Disposal of Special Wastes," by Jeff Hughes, reports on NC ’s reasons for introducing these funding methods and discusses their features. Advance disposal fees may also work with electronic goods, which present similar environmental risks and costs.

For more information on this article, contact Jeff Hughes.