Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/15/2016 - Community Recycling Ordinance - Air Quality Advisory Board Environmental Services 215 N. Mason PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80521 970.221-6600 fcgov.com/environmentalservices MEMORANDUM  Date:  August 15, 2016    To:  Mayor and City Councilmembers    From:  Mark Houdashelt, AQAB Chair    CC: Air Quality Advisory Board  Darin Atteberry, City Manager    Re:  Recommendations Regarding the Community Recycling Ordinance (CRO)  ___________________________________________________________________________________  The Air Quality Advisory Board (AQAB) has reviewed the current version of the Community Recycling Ordinance (CRO) and has discussed this program with City staff. The AQAB fully supports the following provisions of the CRO, as these will lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the landfill through the diversion of some organics and paper to composting and recycling facilities, respectively:  requiring all grocers (except Beaver’s Market) to compost their organics by the end of 2017,  requiring all trash haulers to offer optional, seasonal yard trimmings collection starting in 2017, and  requiring all commercial and multi-family units to be provided with recycling by 2020. However, the AQAB is concerned that the primary greenhouse gas benefits of the CRO are being delayed. Dealing with organics from restaurants and single-family residences has been postponed for at least a year, and there has so far been no indication how or when each will be incorporated into the CRO. While the AQAB supports the requirements for organics in the CRO presented at the January 2016 Council work session, we realize that this version of the CRO is no longer under consideration. Therefore, the AQAB recommends City Council adoption of the current version of the CRO, but Council should require City staff to come back in one year or less with a concrete plan for dealing with organics in a manner that can be implemented on a timescale that will allow the City to still achieve its Climate Action Plan and Road to Zero Waste goals.