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Toledo to seek bids for permanent residential food-waste collection program
Summary
City officials asked council to authorize a competitive bidding process to expand a pilot food-waste-collection program after reporting more than 100,000 pounds diverted during the pilot.
A Department of Public Service representative asked Toledo City Council on May 13 to approve starting a competitive bidding process for a permanent residential food-waste collection program.
The city says food waste can account for up to 30% of the residential waste stream by weight and that, when landfilled, the organic material generates methane and uses landfill capacity. The presenter said the program would divert organic material to composting or anaerobic digestion and would build on recent pilot initiatives. “Residents also just really love this program,” the presenter said.
Council members asked for details about the pilot and future sites. Council member Gattis asked to see the request for proposals by referral; the presenter agreed. Gattis also asked whether the city planned to expand beyond the three pilot locations; the presenter said the city may partner with Metro Parks and add one or two sites. When asked how much material had been collected during the pilot, the presenter said, “as of today, I believe we've hit over the hundred thousand pound mark” and offered to provide an exact figure by referral.
The city said proposals would be evaluated on environmental impact, service quality, equity of access and cost to the city and residents. The presenter framed the RFP as a step toward the city’s sustainability, climate action and waste-reduction goals and said launching a competitive process will identify the most cost-effective, efficient and scalable solution tailored to Toledo's needs.
No formal ordinance text or contract award was presented during the agenda-review discussion; council members requested the RFP and additional details before final action.
Council members recorded recommendations during the meeting but did not take a final council vote on a contract or ordinance at the agenda-review session.
