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Boise expands compost program and readies solid waste strategic plan; commercial compost remains separate
Summary
Public Works told the commission it has expanded residential curbside composting to accept meat and dairy, distributed 3,500 tons of compost back to the community, and is launching focus groups and a strategic plan for solid waste while commercial composting remains handled separately.
City Public Works staff updated the commission on materials management and solid-waste planning Thursday, including an expansion of residential curbside composting, plans for business waste evaluations, and outreach tied to a new solid waste strategic plan.
Core Services Deputy Director Colin Hickman said the compost program expanded to accept all food scraps — including meat and dairy — for residential curbside service. He said the program returned about 3,500 tons of compost to the community through giveaways and operates two resident pickup sites. Hickman and commissioners clarified that curbside residential service does not automatically extend to commercial businesses; businesses interested in compost services must pursue commercial options separate from the residential curbside program.
Why it matters: Expanding accepted food waste in curbside compost increases diversion from the landfill and supports the city’s climate and materials-management goals, but staff said it also raises operational questions (collection protocols, contamination and rodent control) that will be addressed through the solid-waste strategic plan and upcoming community engagement.
Outreach and next steps: Public Works is conducting public focus groups in April drawn from a recently completed community kerb/solid-waste survey; staff invited 15–20 community volunteers per focus group to provide input on program design and priorities. Hickman and Director Burgos said a more detailed strategic-plan discussion will be on a future commission agenda. Commissioner questions prompted staff to commit to returning with more information about allowed items (types of meat and dairy), contamination controls and rodent-mitigation measures.
Other materials-management activity: The Kerbit team (materials management) has begun business waste evaluations for city businesses that request help assessing on-site waste streams and reduction strategies. Hickman said the city will elevate materials management to a standalone utility unit to reflect its scale and customers, effective March 9.
Ending: Commissioners asked staff to return with a fuller briefing on compost rules, contamination controls and the solid-waste strategic-plan timeline during a forthcoming meeting.
