From the Director
Since the Solid Waste District was formed in 1989, we have strived to add at least one new program or service each year in order to continue to increase recycling, reduce waste and better serve the community and local governments. Our accomplishments in 2002, which are summarized in this report, illustrate how the District works hard to offer top quality, needed services while fulfilling its state-mandated solid waste management and recycling functions.

Last year, the District focused on helping cities energize their recycling programs. We began the year by publishing the first annual Residential Recycling Report that documented the recycling rates of each of the county's 59 communities. This had the positive effect of encouraging local officials to evaluate their recycling programs to identify ways to improve. To assist, the District began conducting quarterly Trash Talk seminars for local waste managers on topics such as automated collection, mixed paper recycling and smart contracting. The District also consulted with many cities directly who requested help with analyzing their recycling programs, contract bid specifications and more.

We started a Mercury Thermometer Exchange event to encourage people to properly dispose of old mercury thermometers. During a four-hour event in October, 1,284 households swapped their hazardous mercury thermometers for a mercury-free digital thermometer. More exchanges are planned for 2003 while we work with local pharmacies and hospitals to stop selling and distributing mercury thermometers.

The significant event of 2002 was the arrival of the West Nile Virus in Cuyahoga County which caused many people to become ill. This prompted the District to assemble a Task Force to plan to eliminate a major breeding ground for mosquitoes � the stagnant water contained in abandoned tires. This spring, with the help of city and county agencies, the District will be conducting a Scrap Tire Sweep to clean up abandoned tire sites across the county. To close the recycling loop, a Brooklyn Heights company will be recycling these tires into a colorful playground surface product. This was made possible through a Recycling Market Development Grant the company received in 2002 with the help of the Solid Waste District.

On behalf of myself and my staff, I want to thank the service directors, mayors and other community officials for participating in our programs and for your ongoing support. Last year we had 100% community participation in at least one of our programs. This spirit of partnership helps this District more effectively meet the needs of the public. Our successes are due in large part to your cooperation. Thank you.

District Finances 2002
The Solid Waste District is funded by a "generation fee", which is a $1.00 charge levied on each ton of solid waste generated in Cuyahoga County and landfilled in Ohio. This revenue is used to implement the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste Management Plan through programs and services provided to the community.

Total "Generation Fee" Revenue		$1,885,438	**
Total District Expenditures		$2,018,243
Expense Breakdown
1.	Personnel	$296,037
2.	District Programs and Services	$977,220
3.	District Operating Expenses	$85,843
4.	Solid Waste Planning Services	$55,411
5.	Boards of Health Solid Waste Facility Inspections	$496,160
6.	Indirect County Fees	$107,572

** Revenue figure does not include all December fees

2002 Collection Programs

Paint & Pesticide Round-Up (May & November 2002)	323 tons of hazardous waste collected 42 communities participated
Computer Round-Up (April & August 2002)	189 tons of computers recycled 32 communities participated
Scrap Tire Round-Up (September 2002)	235 tons of tires recycled 37 community participants
Litter Collection Program (year-round service)	16,827 bags of litter collected 47 communities served
Mercury Collection (year-round service)	1,210 pounds collected 1,284 households served
Phone Book Recycling Campaign (June - July 2002)	420 tons of phone books recycled 14 community participants
Newspaper Marketing Cooperative	6,588 tons of newspaper recycled 12 community members

2002 Education Services
Educating children, the general public and community officials about recycling and waste management is an important function of the Solid Waste District. Through our recycling hotline, web site, newsletter, teacher resources and printed materials, we help increase awareness of recycling and assist in developing new recycling programs. The District also employs an environmental educator who conducts presentations for community groups, schools and teachers. In 2002, the District's staff:

• fielded 4,264 calls from the public on its Recycling Hotline;
• held 79 recycling presentations and teacher workshops for 8,138 attendees;
• distributed 81,813 recycling brochures;
• received 160,087 "hits" on its web site;
• conducted two seminars for community waste management officials; and,
• assisted communities and businesses improve their recycling programs.