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Monona committee weighs demolition-material recycling options as Dane County plans Sustainability Campus
Summary
The Monona Sustainability Committee discussed promoting existing recycling options and monitoring Dane County’s request for information on waste diversion at a new Sustainability Campus rather than immediately pursuing a local deconstruction ordinance.
The Monona Sustainability Committee discussed whether to pursue a local demolition-materials recycling ordinance and agreed to first promote existing recycling options while waiting for Dane County’s Sustainability Campus planning to progress.
Committee members said the county currently accepts construction debris for recycling and that the county’s Department of Waste and Renewables has issued a request for information (RFI) on waste-diversion opportunities for a future Sustainability Campus and landfill planning, so firm county strategy is not yet available.
The update came from Thor, who said he had contacted Dane County staff and the county representative, Sarah Smith. Thor told the committee the landfill “does currently accept construction debris for recycling” and that the RFI is open through the 21st of the month, meaning the county is still evaluating feasibility and has not issued concrete plans.
Nut graf: Because county-level planning for landfill capacity and the Sustainability Campus is still in a feasibility stage, Monona staff recommended starting with information-sharing and incentives rather than immediately drafting a local ordinance requiring deconstruction or mandatory diversion.
Committee discussion and context: - Thor said implementing an ordinance like those in Madison or Milwaukee would be “really tough” for Monona due to limited staff capacity (no dedicated recycling department or coordinator) and the potential for added costs to homeowners, property owners and developers. - Committee members proposed practical next steps: assembling a pamphlet or flyer to include with demolition or major renovation permit materials, posting links and resources on the city website, and promoting local outlets that accept salvaged materials (examples discussed included Habitat for Humanity ReStore and local salvage businesses). - Several members favored beginning with outreach and incentives, and revisiting ordinance options after Dane County’s RFI and Sustainability Campus planning provide clearer direction.
Ending: The committee took no formal vote on an ordinance and directed staff to compile and post reuse/recycling resources for demolition and major renovation permit applicants and to monitor Dane County’s RFI and future Sustainability Campus planning.
