HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 12/07/1999 - RESOLUTION 99-139 ESTABLISHING A WASTE DIVERSION P AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 25DATE: December 7, 1999
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Susie Gordon
SUBJECT:
Resolution 99-139 Establishing a Waste Diversion Policy.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Staff recommends adopting a Resolution that builds on the successful level of recycling that Fort
Collins has accomplished and sets new, incremental goals (five years hence, then ten years) for
continuously improving the City's waste diversion efforts. Measuring the amount of waste that is
• being diverted from disposal in landfills gives a broad indication of the success of efforts such as
recycling,composting,and reuse of materials.This Resolution will change the existing policy from
a targeted 20% waste diversion level, to a 35%goal by the year 2004 and to 50% by 2010.
The Resolution is intended to respond to interest expressed by the Council at a study session in
August. At that meeting, staff reported the very good news that Fort Collins has surpassed a goal
set in 1995 for 20%waste stream diversion from landfills, in February of 1999 measuring at 24%
diversion. Council indicated support for continuing the steady improvements in recycling that are
occurring in our community, and shortly afterwards further expressed commitment by approving
$145,000 in the 2000 budget to fund new recycling projects.
By adopting this Resolution, the City Council does not create any financial obligation. Future
budget requests that would be proposed to help accomplish the waste diversion goal (such as the
recycling projects recently funded for 2000) would only be decided on the basis of merit by the
Council.
History
In 1995, the City's waste reduction program grew and new efforts were made that have directly
resulted in significant recycling improvements. Actions taken by the City Council included adoption
of a policy goal to divert 20% of the community's waste from landfill disposal, and adoption of a
variable trash rates(pay-as-you-throw)ordinance. Staff efforts were directed at expanding the City's
education and outreach programs. Fort Collins' six private trash haulers successfully implemented
curbside recycling programs,now used by 86%of the city's households. At the same time,the City
explored the concept of creating a districted trash collection system.
DATE: December 7, 1999 2 ITEM NUMBER: 25
Although the City Council voted in January of 1999 to postpone a decision about districting, staff
was asked to put together an interim plan to continue the City's progress in meeting waste reduction
goals. This plan was presented in August,when staff also reported that the community had reached
a 24%diversion rate,surpassing the 1995 goal for diverting 20%of Fort Collins' waste stream from
disposal at landfills.
During the recent budget process, staff submitted several proposals for new projects that will
enhance citizens'recycling efforts.New initiatives that were approved on November 16 for funding
in 2000 and 2001 include construction of an expanded central recycling drop-off facility and a pilot
project for recycling material from construction and demolition sites. Funds were also approved to
augment the fall leaves and Christmas tree recycling program. In 2001,the City is also prepared to
contribute funding to enlarge the Larimer County Recycling Center.
Increased, Graduated Policy Initiative
The proposed Resolution will raise the 1995 goal,which called for diverting 20% of Fort Collins'
waste from landfills. Since Fort Collins citizens have demonstrated the ability to reduce waste by
24%,the community is well positioned to achieve new levels of diversion. The tiered approach staff
is suggesting is intended to increase diversion to 35%levels within the next five years, and to 50%
by the year 2010.
The City Council's adopted policies and goals form the foundation of the City's comprehensive
waste reduction and recycling programs. By "raising the bar" on diversion rates, Council will set
the tone for community efforts and increase citizens' motivation to use alternatives to landfill
disposal.
The challenge of reaching 35% diversion has been met by a number of communities and states
(Maine,Vermont,New Jersey,New York). In California,state legislation was adopted in 1995 that
requires communities to reach 50%diversion by the year 2000 (Los Angeles is among those cities
that have already succeeded).
In order for Fort Collins to climb past the 24% diversion level, new efforts must be strategically
directed at waste that are based on the knowledge of its composition and sources. These efforts will
start with waste materials that are most easily and economically recyclable,such as wood and paper
fibers(a great deal of paper is still being dumped). The increase in market prices that is forecast for
commodities like cardboard and other paper fibers,as well as advances in recycling technology,will
also assist the community's efforts.
. RESOLUTION 99-139
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
ESTABLISHING A WASTE DIVERSION POLICY
WHEREAS,in 1985,the City first began to investigate programs to educate the public about
recycling and solid waste reduction; and
WHEREAS,inNovember 1994,staffpresented to the Council an integrated,comprehensive
approach to solid waste management entitled the Integrated Municipal Solid Waste Program,which
included targets for waste reduction and recycling; and
WHEREAS,in May 1995,the Council adopted Resolution 95-63,which identified specific
objectives to be accomplished in relation to waste stream reduction,including the goals of reducing
Fort Collins' total waste stream by 20%between 1993 and 2000, and reducing landfilled waste by
20%to 30% during that period; and
WHEREAS,in June 1995,the Council enacted Ordinance No.58, 1995,requiring residential
trash haulers in Fort Collins to apply variable rates ("pay-as-you-throw") and provide curbside
recycling services at no extra charge,in order to encourage the reduction and diversion of solid waste
in residential households; and
WHEREAS,in August 1999,staff presented to Council an Interim Solid Waste Plan,a copy
of which is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and available for public inspection, which Plan
included an analysis of the overall waste diversion rate for the community's municipal solid waste
that was based on the Environmental Protection Agency's Characterization of Municipal Solid
Waste in the United States (1996), and used data submitted to the City by local trash hauling
companies pursuant to the requirements of their trash hauling licenses in calculating the total volume
of municipal solid waste generated in Fort Collins; and
WHEREAS,based on its analysis,staffhas concluded that 24%of solid waste in Fort Collins
is currently being diverted from landfill disposal,as of February, 1999; and
WHEREAS, the Council recognizes the importance of prolonging the life span of the
Larimer County Landfill through waste diversion measures to further delay its closure; and
WHEREAS, the Interim Solid Waste Plan contains recommendations for strategies to
achieve increased diversion of solid waste from landfill disposal; and
WHEREAS,the Council further recognizes that increased and sustained waste reduction and
recycling have direct economic and environmental benefits to the local and global community.
•
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That it shall be the policy ofthe city to work toward the goal of diverting 35%
of the Fort Collins community solid waste stream by 2004, and 50%by the year 2010.
Section 2. That the City Manager is hereby directed to:
(a) continue to investigate opportunities for strategies and actions that will result in
reductions to the community's solid waste stream, and to implement those actions
most likely to be effective;
(b) continue to investigate methods to improve the City's variable rate system for trash
hauling services; and
(c) continue to monitor the rate of waste generation and waste diversion in the
community,and to calculate the rate of waste diversion in order to determine whether
policy goals are being met.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held this 7th day of December,
A.D. 1999.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk