MSO staff described an 18‑month solid‑waste master plan process that has completed a fact‑finding phase and will move into public outreach and options analysis.

Staff said the study included randomized route sampling and waste characterization at the city’s materials recovery facility (MRF) to measure how clean recyclables are and to identify common contaminants in recycling and trash. Staff reported frequent contamination — including food waste and inappropriate bulky items — and said food waste comprises a sizable share of the city’s waste stream. An MSO presenter summarized the finding as roughly one‑third of the waste stream being food waste and said that reduces recycling effectiveness and increases processing costs.

The master plan will include a public survey, focus groups and one‑on‑one stakeholder interviews to shape policy options. Staff described enforcement options (staff said the city has authorities to tag or pull noncompliant loads) and emphasized education as the first approach, with enforcement a later step.

Staff discussed single‑stream recycling tradeoffs: single‑stream increases participation but is more sensitive to contamination. The city’s contract with its materials processor and the local MRF configuration shape feasible service options; staff cautioned that contract terms and existing investments (the MRF and long‑term arrangements) limit the speed of service model changes. An MSO staffer noted the city conducted a waste characterization that included picking through randomized collections of recycling and trash to assess contamination levels.

On composting and food‑waste diversion, staff said the city has explored pilots but currently lacks sufficient space and infrastructure to scale a municipal curbside compost service; the master plan will analyze delivery models and potential pilots. The staff presentation noted a local biogas facility (identified in the meeting as Hammond’s biogas facility) as a possible end‑use for some diverted organic material.

Staff also discussed commercial and downtown collection complexities (shared dumpsters, lid management and wet contamination) and the operational challenges of source separation versus single‑stream. Staff said the master plan will evaluate diversion opportunities, market options for recyclables and the cost‑benefit of program changes.

Next steps: staff will produce outreach materials, run a community survey and convene focus groups; analysis will include enforcement options, potential composting pilots and cost estimates that could feed into future solid‑waste rate decisions.