ORD 23-001ORDINANCE NO. 23-001
An ORDINANCE relating to compost procurement requirements
WHEREAS, In March 2022, ESSHB 1799 was passed by the Washington state
legislature and signed by the Governor. The new statute states:
The legislature finds that landfills are a significant source of emissions of methane,
a potent greenhouse gas. Among other economic and environmental benefits, the
diversion of organic materials to productive uses will reduce methane emissions.
In order to reduce methane emissions associated with organic materials, the
legislature finds that it will be beneficial to improve a variety of aspects of how
organic materials and organic material wastes are reduced, managed, incentivized,
and regulated under state law. Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to
support the diversion of organic materials from landfills through a variety of
interventions to support productive uses of organic material wastes, including:
(h) Encouraging cities and counties to procure more of the compost and
finished products created from their organic material wastes in order to
support the economic viability of processes to turn organic materials into
finished products and increasing the likelihood that composting and other
responsible organic material management options are economically viable.
WHEREAS, Section 701ofESSHB1799, now codified atRCW 43.19A.150, requires
cities such as the City of Camas to "adopt a compost procurement ordinance to implement RCW
43 .19A.120."
WHEREAS, RCW 43.19A.120 states that "When planning government-funded projects
or soliciting and reviewing bids for such projects, all state agencies and local governments shall
consider whether compost products can be utilized in the project."
WHEREAS, the purpose of this ordinance is to conform to state law regarding compost
procurement.
ORD No. 23-001
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CAMAS AS FOLLOWS:
I
When planning government-funded projects or soliciting and reviewing bids for such
projects, the City shall consider whether compost products can be utilized in the project. If
compost products can be utilized in the project, the City shall use compost products to the
extent required by law, including, without limitation, RCW 43.19A.120(2).
II
To the extent required by RCW 43.19A.150(3), the City shall plan for the use of compost
in the following categories:
(a) Landscaping projects;
(b) Construction and postconstruction soil amendments;
( c) Applications to prevent erosion, filter stormwater runoff, promote vegetation growth,
or improve the stability and longevity of roadways; and
( d) Low-impact development and green infrastructure to filter pollutants or keep water
on-site, or both.
This plan will be re-assessed each December 31st of even-numbered years, beginning in 2024
and thereafter as part of the reporting obligations in Section IV.
III
To the extent required by RCW 43.19A.150(4), the City will develop strategies to inform
residents about the value of compost and how the City uses compost in its operations.
IV
To the extent required by RCW 43.19A.150(5), by December 31, 2024, and each
December 31st of even-numbered years thereafter, the City shall prepare a report for the
Department of Ecology covering the previous year's compost procurement activities, including
the following information:
ORD No. 23-001
(a) Total tons of organic material diverted each year;
(b) The volume and cost of compost purchased each year; and
( c) The source( s) of the compost purchased.
v
To the extent required by RCW 43.19A.150(6), the City shall give priority to
purchasing compost products from companies that produce compost products locally, are
certified by a nationally recognized organization, and produce compost products that are
derived from municipal solid waste compost programs and meet quality standards
comparable to standards adopted by the Department of Transportation or adopted by rule by
the Department of Ecology.
VI
In accordance with RCW 39.30.040(1), the City may allow for the preferential
purchase of compost to meet the requirements ofRCW 43.19A.120.
VII
The Public Works Director is hereby authorized to adopt such other policies and
procedures to implement the terms herein as may be deemed necessary.
VIII
This ordinance shall take force and be in effect five (5) days from and after its
publication according to law.
PASSED by the Council and APPROVED by the Mayor thi th day of February, 2023
City Attorney
ATTEST:_~~-~-~----------+--~-clerk(j)