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Akron moves to produce its own compost, awards contract to Green Horizons Environmental
Summary
The Public Service Committee approved a contract with Green Horizons Environmental LLC to help the city establish local compost manufacturing from leaf and wood waste, aiming to reduce external costs and provide mulch to parks and residents.
The Public Service Committee approved an ordinance authorizing the director of public service to contract with Green Horizons Environmental LLC to provide compost manufacturing and consulting services as the city begins managing its own leaf and wood waste for the first time.
Public Service Director Chris Luddle said Akron collects about 46,000 cubic yards of leaves annually and will process those leaves and municipal wood waste into compost and mulch at three sites—Roaming Road, Evans Avenue Yard and a larger site near Exeter between Kelly and Arlington. “So what they're gonna help us establish, 3 places. 1 is gonna be at Roaming Road, the other is Evans Avenue Yard, and then Exeter. ... So what we will do is we will process the leaves, and we will turn this into compost,” Luddle said.
Luddle told the committee that previously the city contracted out compost processing at little or no cost, but the market changed and proposals to process the material came back with prices “north of 400,000 a year.” He said the city's decision to buy tub grinders and use public‑works staff will reduce ongoing costs and produce material the city can use in parks, on athletic fields and potentially distribute to residents.
Committee members approved the item on consent.
The ordinance authorizes a negotiated contract without public bidding for the consulting and start‑up work to stand up the city's compost manufacturing sites; implementation details such as resident pickup locations and program rollout will be developed as operations proceed.
