The purpose of this policy is to reduce methane emissions from landfills associated with organic materials, and to enhance the economic viability of processing organic materials into finished products. It applies only to City operations on public property.
(Ord. 2819 § 1, 2022)
For the purposes of this chapter, the definitions set forth in RCW 43.19A.010 shall apply, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(Ord. 2819 § 1, 2022)
A. 
When planning City-funded projects or soliciting and reviewing bids for such projects, City departments shall identify whether compost can be utilized in a City project. In the event that compost can be utilized, City departments shall require purchase of compost for use in City projects;
B. 
City departments shall plan for the use of compost in any of the following categories that are applicable to their operations and project types:
1. 
Landscaping projects;
2. 
Construction and post-construction soil amendments;
3. 
Applications to prevent erosion, filter stormwater runoff, promote vegetative growth, or improve the stability and longevity of roadways; and
4. 
Low-impact development and green infrastructure to filter pollutants or to keep water on site or both;
C. 
Notwithstanding subsections A and B of this section, City departments are not required to use compost products if:
1. 
Compost products are not available within a reasonable time or distance from the project;
2. 
Compost products that are available do not comply with existing purchasing standards;
3. 
Compost products that are available do not comply with federal, state or local health, quality and safety standards; or
4. 
Compost purchase prices are not reasonable or competitive;
D. 
City departments shall give priority to purchasing compost products from companies that:
1. 
Produce compost products locally;
2. 
Are certified by a nationally recognized organization similar to the U.S. Composting Council; and
3. 
Produce compost products that are derived from municipal solid waste compost programs and meet quality standards comparable to standards adopted by the Washington Department of Transportation or adopted by rule by the Washington Department of Ecology;
E. 
City departments that use compost shall report the following information to the Public Works Department by December 15th of each year beginning in 2023:
1. 
The volume and cost of compost purchased by the City department in the past year; and
2. 
The source or sources of the compost purchased by the City department in the past year;
F. 
The Public Works Department is responsible for:
1. 
Providing technical assistance and education regarding the use of food and yard waste compost to City departments and staff;
2. 
Conducting educational outreach to inform residents and businesses about the value of food and yard waste compost and how the City uses compost in its operations each year; and
3. 
Tracking on an annual basis the total estimated tons of organic material diverted from the City's waste stream because of compost use under this section; the volume and cost of compost purchased throughout the year; and
G. 
By December 31, 2024, and each December 31st of even-numbered years thereafter, the City shall submit a report covering the previous year's compost procurement activities to the Department of Ecology that contains the following information:
1. 
The total tons of organic material diverted throughout the year;
2. 
The volume and cost of compost purchased throughout the year; and
3. 
The source or sources of the compost.
(Ord. 2819 § 1, 2022)