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Solid‑waste update: recycling, Spark landfill gas project and proposed green‑cart fees
Summary
Staff reported on recycling challenges, a landfill gas project (Spark) that cleared an air permit step, and plans to charge for additional green carts beginning Jan. 1 after community messaging starting July; no formal ordinance was adopted at the session.
City staff provided an update on solid‑waste operations, reporting on recycling drop‑off sites, plans for a landfill gas project operated by Spark, and a proposal to change how green (yard) carts are charged.
A staff presenter said the city operates a recycling drop‑off on Grand Street and a 24‑hour cardboard drop‑off behind city offices. Market conditions make some recycling materials difficult to move, the presenter said; expanding glass recycling would require additional infrastructure, capacity and grant funding.
On the landfill gas project, staff said Spark submitted an air permit to ODQ in April and was notified this week that the permit application was accepted, triggering a roughly 30‑day public comment period. Staff said right‑of‑way acquisition along Southgate is the next step, with final design extending through October 2023 and construction and system start‑up currently projected for late 2024.
Staff explained the city is evaluating changes to the green‑cart (yard waste) program. The city’s database shows about 26,000 residential trash carts and roughly 5,300 green carts in service. Staff estimated lost annual revenue from free additional green carts at about $350,000 and recommended a fee structure that charges $5.50 per month for each additional cart beyond the first. The staff plan is to begin public messaging at the start of the new fiscal year in July, allow residents to opt in or opt out, and begin charging on Jan. 1; residents who opt out would have carts removed on request.
Staff said collection days will consolidate so blue (trash) and green carts are collected the same day, a change that reduces truck mileage. Drivers will monitor for repeated extra carts and staff will follow up on accounts flagged for discrepancies.
No formal ordinance or final fee adoption occurred at this study session; staff asked for direction to begin outreach and described a proposed implementation timeline.
