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Commission debates feasibility of 5% organics contamination limit and reviews bottle-bill study draft
Summary
Staff briefed commissioners that the newly set organics rule allows up to 5% contamination by volume and noted the county lacks local contamination data; the draft bottle-bill engagement study is published and staff provided written feedback on methodology and questions.
Staff told the commission that state organics-management rules now limit contamination in organics to no more than 5% by volume. The policy change drew questions from members about how achievable that level would be for local composters and haulers.
One staff presenter summarized the change: "they finally, established that they will be accepting a, no more than 5% contamination rate in, organics by volume." Commissioners and staff noted that achieving that threshold without expensive depackaging or processing equipment will be difficult for many jurisdictions and private composters.
Members asked whether the county has local data on contamination rates; staff said no, the county has not run a local organics-contamination study. Staff also reported the draft bottle-bill engagement study has been published; county reviewers provided feedback that some survey questions may steer respondents toward particular outcomes and the county offered to provide further regional perspective.
The exchange concluded with staff committing to continue engaging on methodology for the bottle-bill study and to explore whether local contamination sampling is feasible before stricter mandates take effect.
