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Arvada council backs staff to pursue EPR credits and explore citywide composting; details due in April
Summary
Staff told the council about the solid waste hauling program, contract terms with Republic Services and potential to use Extended Producer Responsibility reimbursements to add citywide composting at low or no net cost; council directed staff to return in April with scenarios and RFP language for 2028.
At a March 10 workshop the Arvada City Council directed staff to pursue details on how Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) reimbursements could offset curbside composting and recycling costs and asked staff to work with Republic Services and return April 28 with scenarios and cost estimates.
Utilities staff, led in the presentation by Ms. Rhodes and Utilities Services Manager Debbie Reed, described the current enterprise model: the solid waste fund should cover program costs, and program fees are structured to avoid subsidization from the general fund. Reed summarized the existing five-year Republic Services contract that began in July 2021, noting optional one-year renewals and a contractual cap on annual rate increases (maximum 3.5%, minimum 2.5%) and an opt-out fee fixed at $4.55 through June 2028.
Staff presented program participation metrics: approximately 38,905 households are charged a city program fee and the city currently provides cart service to about 19,092 residences, with a subset subscribing to additional carts. Reed described the EPR application process through the Colorado Circular Alliance and said reimbursements could cover recycling administrative and contract costs, outreach and potentially help offset the added cost of adding a composting service for residents.
Council members broadly supported pursuing EPR opportunities now. Mayor Pro Tim Morman said the council should "seize" the one-time timing of EPR reimbursements to launch organics diversion that could be offered at little or no additional cost to customers, increasing participation and bringing HOAs into the city program. Several members emphasized avoiding a new opt-out fee for composting and requested clarity on operational details, including cart sizes, whether carts can be seasonal or aggregated, potential added vehicle trips and how reimbursements would appear on customer bills.
Public Services staff noted that other Colorado cities use curbside-organics programs to produce compost that can be redistributed to residents, and that the city could consider similar arrangements if the council directs proceeding.
Next steps: staff will work with Republic Services on potential contract amendments, model costs using EPR credits, include composting options in the upcoming RFP for a hauler contract (target implementation in 2028), and return April 28 with scenarios and the detailed EPR qualification and billing implications the council requested.
