WRP Annual Highlights 

Background: Waste Reduction Partners, a team of 36 staff and retired engineers and scientists, helps NC businesses and institutions improve environmental and energy management through on-site assessments that help save money. WRP is administered by the Land of Sky Regional Council and is a partnership program of the NC Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service. Over the past five years, Waste Reduction Partners’ team of retired professionals has provided more than 49,366 hours of “pro bono” technical expertise. Client recommendations achieved more than $29.2 million in utility cost savings, 95 million gallons of water saved, 105,646 tons of greenhouse gas emissions reduced, and 26,144 tons of solid waste diverted from landfills.

Pollution Prevention in Action: In FY2025, Waste Reduction Partners delivered on-site waste reduction and energy efficiency assessments for 102 clients across 32 counties. These efforts helped businesses and institutions save a total of $2.93 million.

• Climate: Greenhouse Gas Reductions through Energy Efficiency: The WRP energy team delivered energy efficiency assessments and management guidance to 54 businesses and organizations across the state last year. WRP engineers identified hundreds of energy conservation measures (ECMs) for these clients, documenting each in a detailed report with a cost/benefit analysis.
• WRP estimates that these clients will implement measures to save $2,710,000 per year in energy utility costs, reduce energy use by 101,748million Btu, and cut related carbon emissions by 10,126 metric tons per year. (MTCO2e) 
• On-site Waste Reduction Assistance: The WRP solid waste team worked with 43 entities during the year, which included a wide range of NC manufacturers, retail, food services, local governments, schools, farms, and nurseries. The on-site assistance resulted in the diversion of more than 3,565 tons from landfilling. The disposal management savings and material revenues are estimated at $209,000 for the year. 
• Water Efficiency Demand-Side Management: During the last year, WRP engineers completed 5 water efficiency assessments for large water customers with the City of Durham, which helped clients achieve water efficiency savings of 1.3 million gallons per year.

Waste Reduction Partners – FY2024 Performance Region B

In FY2024, Waste Reduction Partners engineers and staff assisted 21 manufacturers and institutions across Region B with utility cost-saving and environmental sustainability assessments. These manufacturers, local governments, businesses, and non-profits are projected to save more than $88,000 annually from energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction assistance efforts.
Statewide, the Waste Reduction Partners program delivered on-site technical services to 111 businesses and institutions across 42 counties, with more than $2.35 million in projected annual operational cost savings. The WRP program estimates past 5-year client savings of $37.3 million from technical assistance that helps clients improve their environmental performance, reduce carbon footprints, and cut waste.

Region B Clients Assisted:                                                                                        

Buncombe County: 12                                                                                                             
Henderson County: 3
Madison County: 3
Transylvania County 3