Number
150196
Version
SUBSTITUTE 2
Reference
140611, 141469
Sponsor
ALD. ZIELINSKI AND KOVAC
Title
Substitute resolution directing the Department of Public Works to implement a 1-year pilot program relating to weekly curbside collection of compostable materials.
Analysis
This substitute resolution directs the Department of Public Works to implement a voluntary pilot program relating to a separate weekly curbside collection service of organic, compostable materials in the neighborhoods of Bay View and the East Side. Participating households would be charged monthly for the cost of the service. Both the bin to be used in the collection process and those items that may be composted are to be approved by the commissioners of the departments of neighborhood services and public works.
Body
Whereas, The Department of Public Works was tasked under Common Council File Numbers 140611 and 141469 with reporting on the feasibility of residential organics collection; and
Whereas, In 2012, the Department of Public Works collected approximately 245,000 tons of residential solid waste from about 214,000 households; and
Whereas, Mayor Barrett’s “40 by 2020: A Clear Vision to the Future” solid waste diversion initiative calls for increasing the percentage of Milwaukee’s solid waste diverted from landfills from the current 24% to 40% by 2020; and
Whereas, Phase II of the “40 by 2020” initiative, anticipated to be phased in between 2014 and 2020, calls for implementing a citywide residential food waste collection program; and
Whereas, This pilot would provide data useful as a component of evaluating the possibility of a future, more robust citywide "pay as you throw" program, considered a pre-requisite to a successful organics collection program; and
Whereas, National estimates indicate that 13%-21% of solid waste disposal is comprised of compostable food waste; and
Whereas, The Department of Public Works report entitled “Residential Organics Collection Feasibility Report,” dated January 28, 2015, states that a curbside organics collection program could divert 10-15 pounds per household per week (including 7-9 pounds of food waste) of material currently collected as garbage; and
Whereas, The Department of Public Works report estimates that, on average, 250 participating households could divert one ton of compostable material from landfills per week; and
Whereas, In 2015, the City incurs a solid waste tipping fee of $43 per ton, an increase of 14% over 2014; and
Whereas, Based on figures in the Department of Public Works report and using an example of 250 participating households each diverting 10 pounds of organics per week, the City would experience an estimated landfill disposal savings of $2,795 per year in tipping fees or $11.18 per household, but at an estimated net cost of up to $120; and
Whereas, According to the Department of Public Works report, if 20% of the City’s 1-4-unit households participated in a source separated organics collection program, the City could divert an additional 10,000 - 15,000 tons of solid waste per year from landfills, at a 2015 estimated avoided landfill disposal cost savings of $430,000 but a net service cost of up to $4.5 million; and
Whereas, diverting organics from landfills provides long term public benefits such as land conservation, avoided greenhouse gas emissions, and stewardship of organic resources, leading Milwaukee towards a more sustainable city; and
Whereas, The cities of Portland, Boulder, New York, Seattle, and San Francisco have implemented citywide residential compost collection programs; and
Whereas, In Wisconsin, the city of Madison has implemented pilot programs for curbside collection of organic materials; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the City of Milwaukee begin a one-year voluntary pilot program of curbside residential compostables collection; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of Public Works is directed to develop a request for proposal (RFP) to implement a voluntary pilot program for the collection of residential compost; and, be it
Further Resolved, That a quarterly report on the status of the pilot program shall be sent to the Common Council; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the voluntary pilot program shall encompass the neighborhoods of Bay View and the East Side; and, be it
Further Resolved, That eligible households choosing to participate in the pilot program shall be billed for and shall pay for the cost of the service except that they shall receive special compost collection bins at no cost to them; and, be it
Further Resolved, That both the bin to be used for this program and those items that may composted shall be approved prior to the start of the program by the commissioners of the departments of neighborhood services and public works; and, be it
Further Resolved, That a list of items that may be composted shall be attached to this file prior to the start of the program.
Requestor
Drafter
James R. Owczarski
July 7, 2015