Lakewood council refers citywide composting plan, residents urge free drop-off and county grants

Councilmembers introduced a communication and a proposed resolution on Nov. 3 to advance a citywide composting program to support Lakewood's Climate Action Plan goals.

Councilmember Hamilton Steiner described partnership work with the Lakewood Composting Committee and urged referral to Finance because the proposal includes budget priorities. The council voted to refer the communication and Resolution 20-25-68 (authorizing the mayor to negotiate a contract with a composting provider) to the Finance Committee for detailed cost and operational review.

During public comment, multiple residents urged quick action. Harry Later (Ward 2) told council the campaign had collected 75 signatures and that Lakewood City Schools had diverted more than 32,000 pounds of food waste through a multiyear partnership with a composting provider. Bonnie Sykes (Lakewood Composting Committee) urged removing the drop-off fee at local parks and expanding drop-off locations so apartment and condo residents can participate. Catherine Zimnick suggested leveraging existing salt-bin sites and local parks as distribution/drop-off points.

Council members noted available grant funding from the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District and said Finance committee review would explore whether the program can be implemented using existing sustainability budgets or grants rather than new taxes.

What happens next: Finance Committee will examine budget implications, program design (municipal vs. third-party operation), and potential use of county grants; Resolution 20-25-68 was referred to Finance for that review.

Quotes: "This resolution provides the authorization needed to make that goal a reality," Harry Later said. "Many Lakewood residents live in apartments and condos and are unable to compost ... the fee is a barrier," Bonnie Sykes said.