DEPARTMENT: Solid Waste Management Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: David W. McCary
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Organic Material Processing Contract Amendment and Extension
SUMMARY:
This ordinance will amend and extend an existing organics materials processing contract with New Earth, Inc., increasing the per ton processing fee from $16.50 to $24.00 and purchasing up to 75,000 cubic yards of finished compost at $14.00 per cubic yard. Through this contract, New Earth is projected to process into compost approximately 68,000 tons of material collected from the Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) organics program during this one-year term During this time, the SWMD will explore cost effective alternatives to continue organics recycling. Much of the compost produced through this contract will be sold back to the City for use as a soil amendment/enrichment on various City properties, projects and parks.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
City Council approved the implementation of a subscription-based program for the recycling of organic material beginning in FY 2013. By FY 2017, the program became a standard service to all customers citywide. The program included an additional green cart for organic material, such as grass clippings, leaves, tree branches, shredded paper, pizza boxes, food scraps, etc., collected weekly via automated curbside collection. The material from the carts is taken to a processor that removes any contaminants, such as plastic and glass, grinds the material, and applies water and air so that the material can decompose into compost.
Compost is a nutrient-rich organic material used to enrich soil for growing healthier plants and turf. Compost is generally considered to be a better alternative to chemical fertilizers, as well as a great way to improve poor soils or build up thin soils.
The City entered into a contract for processing organic material with New Earth, Inc. in February 2014, after Council approved Ordin...
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