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Iowa City plans compost facility expansion, seeks windrow turner; EPA grant paused but DNR funding secured
Summary
City staff described a planned expansion of the Iowa City Landfill compost facility from 5 to 7 acres to increase annual capacity from 15,000 to at least 20,000 tons, purchase a windrow turner to speed processing, and noted a $100,000 Iowa DNR EMS grant and a paused $4,000,000 EPA SWIFR grant tied to the project.
City staff briefed the commission on plans to expand the compost facility at the Iowa City Landfill to accept more yard and food waste and to speed processing with new equipment.
Resource Management staff said the landfill compost operation is at capacity (currently permitted to accept 15,000 tons per year) and the city is planning a physical expansion from five to seven acres, resurfacing and repairs to the compost pad, and the purchase of a ride‑over windrow turner to mechanically turn compost rows. Staff said the turner will sharply increase processing efficiency: the current loader‑bucket method and once‑per‑month turning can take many days, whereas a windrow turner could allow multiple turns per month and shorten the overall compost cycle from roughly one year to an estimated six to eight months.
Staff identified two grant sources supporting the project: a $100,000 grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Environmental Management System (EMS) program, and a $4,000,000 grant applied for through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) program. Staff noted the federal SWIFR funding is currently paused at the federal level, and the city is developing contingency plans while continuing design work with engineering consultants. If funding proceeds, staff estimate construction could begin in the fall.
Commissioners asked whether large local generators — the university dining system and hospital — currently send food waste to the facility. Staff said the university dining halls use pulpers and that material is brought to the landfill facility; a hospital contractor currently routes its material elsewhere (likely an out‑of‑county facility) and the VA was not believed to be composting. Staff reported that about 10 percent of current incoming material at the compost facility is food waste, with the majority being yard waste (leaves, grass, branches).
Staff also described market and operational details: finished compost is sold (staff cited a current price of $20 per ton) and the program is partially subsidized now, with a goal of moving toward greater cost recovery over time. Commissioners discussed opportunities for tours of the landfill and compost operations; staff said they coordinate tours and will share schedules.
Ending: Staff will continue design with consultants and monitor federal grant status; if EPA funding proceeds, construction may begin later in the year. The commission asked staff to share tour opportunities for members.
