HomeMy WebLinkAboutCORRESPONDENCE - RFP - 7265 WASTE STREAM ANALYSIS STUDY (5)City of
Fort Collins
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Contact: Bruce Hendee, Assistant to the City Manager, bhendee(a)fcgov.com, 970- 416-2332
Date: July 20, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Fort Collins Looks to Put Trash to Good Use
(Fort Collins, CO) The City of Fort Collins will soon begin a year -long study to determine what's in the
community's trash and how it could be put to better use.
As a first step, today the City released a request for proposals for a consultant to thoroughly study what
materials are found in our community's waste -stream.
Data shows that 130,000 tons of locally generated trash was still sent to landfills for disposal in 2010.
Working with Colorado State University, Poudre School District, Larimer County, and other local companies
such as New Belgium Brewing and O'Dell's Brewing, the consultant will document materials found in the
waste -stream and evaluate potential uses including:
• Composting — It's estimated that 20% or more of household waste is organic materials that can be
composted and be used for a greater community purpose such as for community members or for
use in City parks and gardens
• Recycling - Despite strong recycling numbers and a 43% waste diversion rate, research by
Larimer County landfill managers suggests that at least half of our existing trash could have been
diverted.
• Waste-to-energy/Energy Generation — the creation of electricity from anaerobic digestion
technology or the thermal destruction of waste would allow the City to develop a low -emissions
energy source. This energy could then feed back into the electric grid and contribute to the
renewable energy resources needed to make FortZED a reality. FortZED, Fort Collins' Zero
Energy District, aims to transform the downtown area and the main campus of Colorado State
University into a net Zero Energy District through conservation, efficiency, renewable sources and
smart technologies.
This study is complementary to another study currently underway which considers an in —town drop-off site
for waste materials picked up by some, but not all, curbside trash haulers (e.g., electronic waste,
compostable yard waste, etc.). Findings from these two studies will provide the basis for evaluating a one -
stop recycling/processing shop to help meet City waste reduction goals.
The final report will include specific recommendations for potential new programs to help the City manage
the community's waste stream at its greatest potential.
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Fort Collins
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Global Trends
"Trashing" resources such as aluminum and other metals, paper, plastic, and organic materials has come
under the scrutiny of governments and private businesses globally that seek to eliminate the need to build
new landfills, as well as save money and reduce pollution. Policies and regulations have radically altered
disposal practices in land -scarce countries such as Germany and Japan, where new types of technology
are also being applied to help pull more from the waste stream for secondary use or rem anufacturing.
Throughout Europe, once all the re -usable, recyclable, and compostable materials have been removed,
whatever "true" garbage remains in the waste stream is often converted to energy using ultra -hot, ultra -low -
polluting burning techniques.
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