⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F3, F4, F6
Findings and Recommendations 4 findings
F1
Page 5
Compostable organic waste, which makes up approximately one third of municipal solid waste, must be diverted in order to extend the life of Santa Cruz County landfills and meet state mandates, specifically AB 1826. X AGREE _ PARTIALLY DISAGREE - explain disputed portion below ___ DISAGREE - explain below Response explanation (required for responses other than "Agree"):
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Page 7
In order to comply with AB 1826 mandates, the cities of Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, and Watsonville should join with Santa Cruz County to form a regional agency to develop a large-scale organics recycling system located in Santa Cruz County. HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED HAS NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTED BUT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE FUTURE indicate timeframe below X REQUIRES FURTHER ANALYSIS - explain scope and timeframe below (not to exceed six months) ___ WILL NOT BE IMPLEMENTED - explain below Response summary, timeframe or explanation: While there may be efficiencies resulting from all the jurisdictions working together on organics recycling, one or more may decide to pursue internal solutions to meet the requirements of the law. Each jurisdiction has different refuse and recycling capabilities, infrastructure and facilities, as well as the cost recovery revenues that pay for these services. In addition, the number of businesses that will ultimately fall under the requirements of the law vary greatly by jurisdiction (for example Santa Cruz County's unincorporated area versus the City of Santa Cruz). Ultimately each jurisdiction will make its own decisions on what will be the most efficient and cost effective route for achieving compliance with the law. The City will continue to work cooperatively with the other jurisdictions on these issues as we collectively evaluate how to best implement compliance practices and provide the most cost- effective solution for our rate payers.
F2
Page 5
Unless Santa Cruz County and the cities of Santa Cruz, Capitola, Scotts Valley and Watsonville invest politically and financially in large-scale organics recycling systems, they will be out of compliance with AB 1826 by the year 2020 or sooner. <b>AGREE</b> X PARTIALLY DISAGREE - explain disputed portion below DISAGREE - explain below Response explanation (required for responses other than "Agree"): While a large-scale organics recycling system is one possible solution, the County or any of the cities could opt to create their own, independent smaller-scale facilities serving just their jurisdiction and its businesses that would fall under AB 1826. 80 100
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Page 7
The current pilot program for composting food waste from restaurants and other large institutions in Capitola and Santa Cruz County should be expanded to serve other businesses in the AB 1826 first and second tiers throughout Santa Cruz County, including Scotts Valley and Watsonville, until a regional facility can be developed. HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED HAS NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTED BUT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE FUTURE indicate timeframe below X REQUIRES FURTHER ANALYSIS - explain scope and timeframe below (not to exceed six months) WILL NOT BE IMPLEMENTED - explain below Response summary, timeframe or explanation: The City is responding "Requires Further Analysis", however please note that the recommendation pertains to a program in which the City of Santa Cruz is not a participant, and the recommendation does not mention the City of Santa Cruz specifically. The City of Santa Cruz, however, is in the development phase of a small scale food waste pilot program incorporating a food waste to energy component at the Wastewater Treatment Facility and a composting component. Both are still in the design and development phase.
F5
Page 6
Unless the Monterey Regional Waste Management District decides to expand its current organic composting facility, Santa Cruz County jurisdictions cannot rely on it as a long-term solution for their organic waste recycling needs. X AGREE PARTIALLY DISAGREE - explain disputed portion below DISAGREE - explain below Response explanation (required for responses other than "Agree"):
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Page 6
Rules about what can be put in the "green cart" are inconsistent and not well understood by the general public. AGREE X PARTIALLY DISAGREE - explain disputed portion below DISAGREE - explain below Response explanation (required for responses other than "Agree"): Rules about what can be put in a green cart may be inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another due to their different organics waste processing systems, however, rules about what can be put in the City of Santa Cruz's green carts have been consistent for the last several years. The City's green carts have stickers on the carts defining what may and may not be placed in the carts. In addition, the City's Waste Reduction Program regularly includes information about what can be put in green cans in public mailers, bills and other outreach. Finally, if a resident "contaminates" their green cart with non-permissible materials, they will get a violation notice letting them know what was put in the cart that was non-permissible. Some confusion for green cart users statewide may be due to the nature of the state's green waste laws. For example, green waste could contain trimmings from an overgrown tomato bush or apple tree, complete with the fruit that came with the tree as this would be legitimate green waste. However, an apple core or leftover tomato from the refrigerator, for example, would be considered food waste by the State inspector, and therefore is non-permissible.
No recommendations for this finding
No Responses Found 5
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.