Correspondence from Resilient Community Advisory Commission (RCAC) - Curbside Food Scrap Pick Up Program Copyrighted
September 18, 2023
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 07.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Correspondence from Resilient CommunityAdvisory Commission
(RCAC)- Curbside Food Scrap Pick Up Program
SUMMARY: Resilient CommunityAdvisory Commission (RCAC)submitting
correspondence regarding curbside food scrap pick up program
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
RCAC Letter of Support- Food Scrap Composting Supporting Documentation
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Resilient Community Advisory C�mmission
Gity af Dubuque, lawa
City Council, City of Dubuque
50 W. 13t" Street
Dubuque, IA 5201
September 8, 2023
Members of City Council,
At the September meeting, the Resilient Community Advisory Commission (RCAC) heard from
multiple parties, including a concerned citizen and representatives of the City of Dubuque's
Public Works and the Dubuque Municipal Solid Area Solid Waste Agency (DMASWA) regarding
the state of curbside food scrap pick up. It is clear that the lowa Department of Natural
Resources new interpretation of the existing code threatens to stop food scrap pick up in the
City of Dubuque.
Following the IDNR's cease and desist order relating to co-mingled food scrap composting,
delivered to DMASWA this past June, the community is in peril of losing its curbside food scrap
recycling program. After review and discussion, the RCAC strongly recommends that the city
council takes action to keep food scrap recycling an option for all Dubuque residents. A report
from SCS Engineering on the suitability of the current composting area's ability to meet the
requirements to be a permitted facility be delivered in the next week. Regardless of the finding
of the study, we recommend that the city council work to continue to provide food scrap
collection to Dubuque residents.
Losing food scrap composting would hamper Dubuque's 50% by 2030 Community Climate
Action & Resiliency Plan and would lead to a less resilient community. Goal number one in the
solid waste section is 50% diversion of recyclables/compostable and one of the strategies
identified to achieve the goal is 50%food waste reduction and diversion. Dubuque's
comprehensive plan (Imagine Dubuque 2037: A Call to Action) was adopted from feedback
from 6,000 residents/stakeholders and it highlighted commitment to expanding food scamp
diversion into composting as a priority.
Dubuque was the first city in lowa to offer a pilot curbside food scrap recycling program. We do
not want to go from trailblazer to afterthought. Given the benefits to the city and the clear
support of the citizens of Dubuque we recommend that the city council priorities keeping food
scrap recycling for all residents.
Sincerely,
�"�"� �
Adam Hoffman; Commissioner
Resilient Community Advisory Commission
, ,�l'
Jacob Kohlhaas; Chair
Resilient Community Advisory Commission