Skagway committee backs stricter restaurant compost rules, adds container and exception language

The Solid Waste Advisory Committee voted to recommend several changes to a draft restaurant compost ordinance after public comment and extended discussion about costs, contamination and enforcement.

Steve Burnham, a local resident, urged stricter rules during public comment: "We need your compost collection of commercial compost" and warned that encouraging rather than requiring compostable packaging could lead to contamination of the municipal composter. Committee members discussed business costs and supply‑chain limits for compostable packaging, noting some items can be difficult or slow to source.

Committee members agreed to revise the draft to make commercial food‑waste collection mandatory for kitchen/prep waste in the ordinance language (changing "encouraged" to "shall" or similar), while adding a formal exception process so businesses can request relief where compostable alternatives are not practicable. The committee also adopted an amendment requiring food waste to be deposited in municipality‑approved, bear‑resistant cans separate from other solid waste; members confirmed the city supplies those containers.

Members flagged enforcement questions but favored using existing complaint‑based procedures and public‑works observations as the initial compliance mechanism, followed by warnings and escalation to permitting or police if needed. A committee member summarized the outreach approach: "Compost is free. We come pick it up for free," urging that education and a packet for restaurants accompany any regulatory change.

The committee asked staff (Emily and Ian) to redraft the ordinance language to reflect the committee's intent — required kitchen composting with narrowly defined exceptions and a suggested one‑year grace period after passage — and to circulate the revised text back through public works before further action. The committee passed the motion forwarding those recommendations by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will rework the code language and prepare outreach materials for businesses; the ordinance is expected to return for further review before any formal hearing or Assembly action.