Title
Resolution to Adopt City of Ann Arbor Solid Waste Resource Plan
Memorandum
Attached for your consideration is a resolution to adopt the Ann Arbor Solid Waste Resource Plan. The plan is a culmination of a year-long process developed by a special subcommittee of the Environmental Commission. The Environmental Commission passed a resolution in support of this plan on February 28, 2013.
The plan was last updated in 2002. The new draft plan includes a number of specific proposals aimed at reducing solid waste generation, as well as reducing the amount of solid waste sent to landfills. The suggested actions in this plan include developing more-detailed proposals for City Council review that would enable the following programs to be initiated if they are determined to be cost-effective, environmentally-responsible, and customer-friendly:
· Expand food waste composting to include all plate scrapings, such as meats and oils
· Evaluate expansion of food waste and compost collection program to year-round
· Increase apartment recycling rates
· Re-locate and upgrade the existing Drop-Off Station
· Expand zero waste services at special events
· Implement regulations for recycling construction and demolition waste
· Implement a single-use bag fee
The plan also includes goals of increasing single-family diversion from the current 50% to 60% by 2017, and increasing overall diversion from the current 31% to 40% by 2017. Diversion is a measured if the amount of solid waste not sent to landfills (recycling plus compost) divided by the total solid waste stream (refuse plus recycling and compost). These targets will be incorporated into the Sustainability Action Plan, which is currently under development.
The Solid Waste Resource Plan subcommittee brought together representatives from single-family and multi-family residential locations, as well as businesses, the University of Michigan, and Washtenaw County. The Subcommittee presented the draft plan at two public forums in the fall of 2012, as well as through a community solid waste survey that resulted in nearly one thousand responses.
The Plan does not commit the City to expenditures or obligations. The plan recognizes that finances for the Solid Waste Fund are tightening over the upcoming years, and that the financial impacts of any new programs need to be carefully considered. Any new programs that have a net additional cost will need to include funding recommendations. Any future investments of City funds exceeding $25,000 will be presented to the City Council for approval prior to their initiation.
Staff is currently evaluating expansion of the food waste composting program, and is anticipates coming back to Council within the next two to three months with a proposal for including all plate scrapings in the compost collection and processing program. This proposal will include a methodology for funding the program.
Staff
Prepared by: Tom McMurtrie, Solid Waste Coordinator
Reviewed by: Craig Hupy, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Steven D. Powers, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor has demonstrated a history of leadership in promoting recycling and waste reduction, having been recognized by the US EPA in 1999 as one of the top 20 recycling communities in the U.S.;
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor has a history of strong citizen participation in its recycling program, with over 90 percent of single-family households recycling;
Whereas, On February 19, 2013 the Ann Arbor City Council adopted the City of Ann Arbor Sustainability Framework (Resolution R-13-045) as an element of the City Master Plan and contains community goals including, "reduce energy consumption and eliminate net greenhouse gas emissions in our community" and "produce zero waste and optimize the use and reuse of resources in our community";
Whereas, The Ann Arbor Environmental Commission, through its established bylaws, created a committee consisting of representatives from the single-family and multi-family residential portions of the community, as well as business community to help develop this Plan;
Whereas, This special subcommittee worked with staff for over one year to develop a plan that has a range of solid waste program suggestions aimed at reducing the City's reliance on solid waste landfills;
Whereas, The Plan identifies measurable targets and actions to further goals in the City's Sustainability Framework;
Whereas, The Committee presented the draft plan at two public forums in the fall of 2012, as well as through a community solid waste survey that resulted in nearly one thousand responses;
Whereas, As with all projects requiring significant city investment, relevant components of this Plan will be presented to the City Council in the future for ultimate authorization;
Whereas, Suggested actions in this plan include developing the following programs, as deemed cost-effective, environmentally-responsible, and customer-friendly:
· Increasing single-family diversion rates from 50% to 60% by 2017
· Increasing total diversion rates from 31% to 40% by 2017
· Expanding food waste composting to include all plate scrapings, such as meats and oils
· Increasing apartment recycling rates
· Re-locating and upgrading the existing Drop-Off Station
· Expanding zero waste services at special events
· Implementing regulations for recycling construction and demolition waste
· Implementing a single-use bag fee; and
Whereas, The Ann Arbor Environmental Commission passed a resolution in support of this plan on February 28, 2013;
RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council adopt the Waste Less: Solid Waste Resource Plan to demonstrate continued leadership and guide progress towards reducing, reusing, and recycling in the Ann Arbor community.
As Amended by Ann Arbor City Council on October 7, 2013.