(a) Unless a different meaning is required by the context, terms relating to the management of solid waste used in this Article have the same meaning as in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-2 and in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-290 As used in this Article, the term “solid waste” means nonhazardous solid waste, that is, solid waste as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-290 but not including hazardous waste. In addition to the meaning set out in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-290, the term “unit of local government” means the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians in North Carolina.

(b) This Article shall not be construed to authorize any authority created pursuant to this Article to regulate or manage hazardous waste. An authority created under this Article may manage sludges, other than a sludge that is a hazardous waste, under rules of the Commission for Public Health and criteria established by the Department of Environmental Quality for the management of sludge.

(c) Any two or more units of local government may create a regional solid waste management authority by adopting substantially identical resolutions to that effect in accordance with the provisions of this Article. The resolutions creating a regional solid waste management authority and any amendments thereto are referred to in this Article as the “charter” of the regional solid waste management authority. Units of local government which participate in the creation of a regional solid waste management authority are referred to in this Article as “members”.

(d) As used in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 153A-427(a)(24), the term “transferred” means placed at or delivered to any (i) place normally and customarily used by the authority for the collection of solid waste, (ii) other place agreed upon by the generator or owner of recyclable materials and the authority, or (iii) facility owned, operated, or designated by the authority. (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 888, s. 1; 1991, c. 580, s. 2; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 932, s. 4; c. 948, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.123; 2007-182, s. 2; 2015-241, s. 14.30(u).)