Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 10/21/2014 - RESOLUTION 2014-098 ESTABLISHING PRIORITY ACTIONSAgenda Item 16 Item # 16 Page 1 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY October 21, 2014 City Council STAFF Susie Gordon, Senior Environmental Planner SUBJECT Resolution 2014-098 Establishing Priority Actions to Create Zero Waste in Fort Collins. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this item is to present a resolution that expresses commitment to Fort Collins’ goal of Zero Waste by 2030. The resolution enumerates strategic actions for the City to take now and in coming years, which were developed for the Road to Zero Waste Plan to deliberately and systematically drive progress forward over the next decades. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION Since 1996, the City has measured the amount of waste diverted from landfill disposal through citizens’ efforts to reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost, documenting a gradual increase from 17% to a communitywide level of 64.6% diversion in 2013. Getting to the ultimate goal of Zero Waste will become possible only by laying groundwork now for the type of infrastructure, policies, and incentives that will create a major shift away from outmoded ways of managing waste. Communitywide awareness about reducing waste will be critical in stemming the flow of materials into local landfills. A culture change is called for in the resolution, using education and information to help citizens establish alternative practices in their lives that will help shrink the waste stream and reroute it to beneficial end uses. A priority will be placed on completing the construction of a new Community Recycling Center by early 2016, where a one-stop-shop service will be available to the public for a range of recyclables, including electronic waste, certain household hazardous wastes, and other “hard to recycle” materials. Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) principles developed by the Environmental Protection Agency will be applied to create a systems approach for new regional pathways for discarded materials to take. Among techniques intrinsic to SMM that will be evaluated and applied in Fort Collins, where appropriate, are materials substitution, cleaner technologies, reuse systems, redesigning to reduce toxics pollution and waste, in-situ treatment, waste conversion to clean energy, and reduction of transport in the supply chain. In the process of creating new ways of handling waste materials as commodities, economic opportunities will emerge for job creation and increased local income and sales revenues. By developing a forward-thinking, model SMM environment, Fort Collins can become a destination for advanced companies to become established where Zero Waste standards can be met by local services and programs. The resolution recognizes the valuable role that can be played by the City’s Economic Health program in assisting industrial symbiosis to occur, such as by-product exchange/reuse within regional business clusters. Agenda Item 16 Item # 16 Page 2 Additional policy measures are called for in the resolution. The City will pursue adoption of a Universal Recycling Ordinance, which will re-tool Fort Collins’ highly successful pay-as-you-throw structure in order to give all residents and businesses access to recycling and organics composting that is convenient and affordable, as well as further prohibitions on types of materials that may be placed in the waste stream. Actions will be explored for programs to recycle disposable containers and packaging materials, including potential requirements for some retailers to offer on-site collection. Critical infrastructure that was identified in 2013’s Road to Zero Waste planning are prioritized for construction in the resolution, starting with a facility that will intercept organic materials (clean lumber discards, food scraps, yard debris, tree limbs, soiled paper products, compostable food ware, manure, brewery by-products, and agricultural trimmings). The City will collaborate with Larimer County and neighboring communities such as the City of Loveland, as well as private-sector stakeholders, to develop an implementation plan for capturing as much organic material as feasible based on recognition of the fact that approximately 2/3 of the waste going into local landfills is comprised of bio-degradable materials. Creating a collection/diversion system for organics will provide substantial results in reducing the amount of trash that accumulates in our landfills. Once systems are in place for source-separated organics to be collected, various technologies for processing it to obtain highest-and-best-use will be employed, including but not limited to anaerobic digestion, clean energy conversion, or landscape materials manufacturing (mulch, compost, “bio-char” soil amendments). Other types of infrastructure are recognized in the resolution as playing pivotal roles in optimal waste management systems for Fort Collins and the region, to be funded and constructed as quickly as they become feasible. They include pilot projects with Colorado State University supported by federal grants that demonstrate waste-to-clean-energy technology innovations, a construction/demolition-waste sorting facility, and a reuse warehouse. Finally, the resolution calls for new sources of funding or revenues to be evaluated that will enable the City to pursue new initiatives in waste diversion and financially support ongoing projects. Staff sent a draft of Resolution 2014-098 to Council on Monday, October 13. The Resolution with the revisions suggested by Councilmember Cunniff is provided as Attachment 1. FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACTS This Resolution indicates an intention to take action and to seek funding, resources and partnerships to enable actions. The implementation schedule will be dependent on budget and resource availability. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS This Resolution clarifies key steps in making progress on the ultimate goal of achieving Zero Waste by 2030. ATTACHMENTS 1. Resolution 2014-098 with Councilmember Cunniff's revisions (DOC) Resolution with Councilmember Cunniff’s revisions RESOLUTION 2014-098 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS ESTABLISHING PRIORITY ACTIONS TO CREATE ZERO WASTE IN FORT COLLINS WHEREAS, on December 17, 2013, the City Council adopted Resolution 2013-011, establishing a waste diversion policy with the ultimate goal of achieving zero waste (“Zero Waste goals”); and WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the importance of prolonging the life span of the Larimer County Landfill, now estimated at 10 years, through waste diversion measures to further delay its closure; and WHEREAS, the City Council further recognizes that increased and sustained waste reduction and recycling have direct economic and environmental benefits to the local and global community; and WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to proceed with implementing waste reduction strategies that systematically address the flow of waste materials in the community; and WHEREAS, waste streams, and facilities for managing them, are regional in nature, and thus, regional partnerships and systems are important to create; and WHEREAS, City Plan policy ENV 15.5 calls for applying a systems-based approach to managing waste materials that flow into the community, as well as their post-consumer destinations, in order to establish alternatives to landfill disposal; and WHEREAS, City Plan policy ENV 15.6 calls for an analysis of life-cycle costs and benefits by viewing the generation of discards, by-products, and waste materials, and techniques for managing these resources as an integrated system in order to put materials to their highest and best reuse; and WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to operationalize the vision articulated in the Zero Waste goals and sketched out in the Road to Zero Waste plan by taking a three-pronged approach to: a) identify near-term concrete steps towards Fort Collins’ zero waste objectives for 2030; b) foster regional discussions and partnerships; and c) further investigate waste stream flows and energy-related opportunities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. That the City Council hereby directs the City Manager to take specific short-term steps toward reducing and preventing waste by December 31, 2016, by: ATTACHMENT 1 Resolution with Councilmember Cunniff’s revisions a. Expanding communitywide awareness of measures to prevent waste from being created; b. Subject to funding approval, beginning construction onconstructing a Community Recycling Center by the first quarter of 2016 that offers a one-stop shop for recycling and addresses hard-to-recycle materials, including certain household hazardous wastes; c. Presenting for Council consideration, as soon as practical, a “universal recycling ordinance” that would improve access to recycling and organics (compostable materials) collection for all residents and businesses; and d. Developing a program for recycling certain types of disposable containers and packaging materials, including presenting that includes presentation of an ordinance for Council consideration requiring larger establishments to provide on-site collection.; and ed. Advancing the organizational readiness of the City to engage in waste-to- clean energy practices. a. Section 2. That the City Council hereby directs the City Manager to take steps toward reducing and preventing regional waste generation by: a. Convening a regional materials management roundtable group to discuss regional treatment facilities and systems, including; i. Exploration of options for funding construction of an organics (compostable materials) transfer station, and develop an implementation plan; ii. Help create a cA construction and demolition sorting and recycling facility; and iii. Evaluate aA "reuse warehouse." b. Assisting Colorado State University’s efforts to research and develop innovative waste conversion systems/facilities; and c. Working through the City’s Economic Health and Environmental Services Departments with regional businesses to: i. Support by-product reuse within regional business clusters; and ii. Help evaluate and assess the potential for industrial symbiosis in Fort Collins and Northern Colorado. Section 3. That the City Council hereby directs the City Manager to systematically evaluate waste materials using Sustainable Materials Management (“SMM”) principles by: Resolution with Councilmember Cunniff’s revisions a. Applying the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s newly emerging SMM principles as part of a systems approach in order to evaluate and prioritize a variety of new programs for the City to implement; and b. Identifying specific sub-streams of materials being generated in the community to evaluate optimal waste management systems and specific types of technology to be developed. Section 4. That the City Council hereby directs the City Manager to develop viable options for additional revenue streams or a budget mechanism that wouldto fund ongoing projects and new initiatives to help the community to reach its Zero Waste goals. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 21st day of October, A.D. 2014. _________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk - 1 - RESOLUTION 2014-098 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS ESTABLISHING PRIORITY ACTIONS TO CREATE ZERO WASTE IN FORT COLLINS WHEREAS, on December 17, 2013, the City Council adopted Resolution 2013-011, establishing a waste diversion policy with the ultimate goal of achieving zero waste (“Zero Waste goals”); and WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the importance of prolonging the life span of the Larimer County Landfill, now estimated at 10 years, through waste diversion measures to further delay its closure; and WHEREAS, the City Council further recognizes that increased and sustained waste reduction and recycling have direct economic and environmental benefits to the local and global community; and WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to proceed with implementing waste reduction strategies that systematically address the flow of waste materials in the community; and WHEREAS, waste streams, and facilities for managing them, are regional in nature, and thus, regional partnerships and systems are important to create; and WHEREAS, City Plan policy ENV 15.5 calls for applying a systems-based approach to managing waste materials that flow into the community, as well as their post-consumer destinations, in order to establish alternatives to landfill disposal; and WHEREAS, City Plan policy ENV 15.6 calls for an analysis of life-cycle costs and benefits by viewing the generation of discards, by-products, and waste materials, and techniques for managing these resources as an integrated system in order to put materials to their highest and best reuse; and WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to operationalize the vision articulated in the Zero Waste goals and sketched out in the Road to Zero Waste plan by taking a three-pronged approach to: a) identify near-term concrete steps towards Fort Collins’ zero waste objectives for 2030; b) foster regional discussions and partnerships; and c) further investigate waste stream flows and energy-related opportunities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. That the City Council hereby directs the City Manager to take specific short-term steps toward reducing and preventing waste by December 31, 2016, by: - 2 - a. Expanding communitywide awareness of measures to prevent waste from being created; b. Subject to funding approval, beginning construction on a Community Recycling Center that offers a one-stop shop for recycling and addresses hard-to- recycle materials; c. Presenting for Council consideration a “universal recycling ordinance” that would improve access to recycling and organics (compostable materials) collection for all residents and businesses; and d. Advancing the organizational readiness of the City to engage in waste-to- clean energy practices. Section 2. That the City Council hereby directs the City Manager to take steps toward reducing and preventing regional waste generation by: a. Convening a regional materials management roundtable group to discuss regional treatment facilities and systems; b. Assisting Colorado State University’s efforts to research and develop innovative waste conversion systems/facilities; and c. Working through the City’s Economic Health and Environmental Services Departments with regional businesses to: i. Support by-product reuse within regional business clusters; and ii. Help evaluate and assess the potential for industrial symbiosis in Fort Collins and Northern Colorado. Section 3. That the City Council hereby directs the City Manager to systematically evaluate waste materials using Sustainable Materials Management (“SMM”) principles by: a. Applying the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s newly emerging SMM principles as part of a systems approach in order to evaluate and prioritize a variety of new programs for the City to implement; and b. Identifying specific sub-streams of materials being generated in the community to evaluate optimal waste management systems and specific types of technology to be developed. - 3 - Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 21st day of October, A.D. 2014. _________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk