Title
Gainesville Pilot Composting Program (B)
This item is a request for the City Commission to authorize staff to submit a grant application to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Natural Resources Conservation Service Community Compost and Food Waste Reduction (CCFWR) Project Grant. The CCFWR Grant award is estimated in the amount of $90,000 and this award would be used toward the implementation of a two-year pilot composting program.
Explanation
The City of Gainesville has adopted a goal of Zero Waste by 2040. It is recognized that processing organics, which make up about twenty (20) percent of the waste stream, is an important component of the Zero Waste Goal. Landfilled organic material contributes significantly to the production of methane gas, which is about 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas.
This USDA Grant provides the City with the opportunity to fund a pilot composting program. The grant funds will be used to implement a program utilizing one of the composters already operating in the community. Either a curbside collection or restaurant program will be submitted depending on an analysis of the best use of funding and USDA goals. Data collected from the pilot will help the City evaluate opportunities and challenges in expanding organics collection and processing throughout the City.
Fiscal Note
The CCFWR Grant requires the City of Gainesville to provide a 25% match. The City’s match source has been identified in the Solid Waste Fund and costs approximately $22,500 over a two-year period.
Recommendation
The City Commission authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the grant applications, grant awards and any other necessary documents, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.