Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury 2014­2015 Response Packet Composting Organic Waste in Santa Cruz County

R1

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 large­scale 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: As noted in the Grand Jury report, organic material from the City of Capitola currently is taken to the MRWMD organic composting facility pursuant to a long term agreement. MRWMD anticipates that the life span of its permitted organic processing capabilities will be at least equal to the life span of the District’s landfill disposal operations; a life span that is predicted to exceed 100 years at this time. Capitola will continue to participate in the evaluation process for developing a large­scale organics recycling system located in Santa Cruz County. When the current contract with GreenWaste and the MRWMD expires, or final funding decisions regarding a regional large­scale organics recycling system located in Santa Cruz County are required, the City of Capitola will evaluate its options and determine the best option for the City and its residents.

R2

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. x HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED ​ HAS NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTED BUT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE FUTURE ​ ­ indicate timeframe below 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 of Capitola uses the MRWMD Marina facility for organics recycling. Over the past 3 years, Capitola has averaged approximately 40­tons of food waste per month, the current contract allows for up to 10,000 tons of organic material per year. Capitola implemented a program designed to serve businesses in the AB 1826 first and second tiers in 2010. Capitola will continue to reach out to the business community to increase overall participation in organics recycling. The City of Capitola will continue to participate in the pilot food composting program and work with businesses to expand participation in the program.

R3

After selection of a composting contractor and technology by the ​ Local Task Force, Santa Cruz County and the cities of Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Watsonville should create a coordinated outreach program to inform businesses and the public about the benefits and requirements of the new organics recycling program. 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 of Capitola works locally with its hauling franchisee, GreenWaste, to increase participation in the organics recycling program. Public outreach and communication with local businesses and residents will continue. The City of Capitola is committed to participating with the Santa Cruz County Integrated Waste Management Local Task Force in developing coordinated outreach to the business and residential communities to improve participation in organic recycling programs. A coordinated approach can be beneficial, however it will have to be determined if the specifics of such effort will be in the best interest of the City of Capitola and its citizens.