Title
Recycling Partnership Grant Opportunity for Improved Recycling and Programs for Fiscal Year 2022 (Ordinance S-49361)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to retroactively apply for, and if awarded, accept, and enter into an agreement for disbursement of grant funding from The Recycling Partnership through its Polypropylene Recycling Request for Proposal Program. If awarded, the grant will be used to support purchase of a polypropylene optical sorter at the 27th Avenue Materials Recovery Facility. Further request to authorize the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item. The total grant funds applied for will not exceed $500,000.
Report
Summary
Plastics continue to be a growing component of the national solid waste stream and new recycling markets have developed for certain types of plastics. Polypropylene, commonly known as #5 plastic, is used to make yogurt containers, some drink containers, and to-go containers. Investment in optical sorting technology will increase capture of polypropylene allowing the City to increase diversion of this material from the landfill, access the market for polypropylene, and further efforts to build a circular economy and achieve zero waste by 2050.
The Recycling Partnership is a national non-profit organization that works with local governments, national brands and industry leaders to improve recycling programs. The Recycling Partnership's polypropylene grant aims to improve and increase sortation and capture of polypropylene in recycling programs.
The Public Works Department is requesting retroactive authorization to submit an application for the Recycling Partnership Polypropylene Recycling Grant Program. If awarded, funding will support purchase of a polypropylene optical sorter at the 27th Avenue Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). The grant was submitted prior to the deadline of Jan. 16, 2023. If not authorized, the grant application can be withdrawn. The Public Works Department is also requesting authorization to enter into agreements to accept the funding if awarded.
Financial Impact
The Public Works Department is requesting grant funds up to $500,000. If the grant funds are awarded in full, the City's cost share is estimated at $175,000. Funding for the City's cost share is available in the Public Works Department's Capital Improvement Program budget.
Location
27th Avenue MRF - 3060 S. 27th Ave.
Council District: 7
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Public Works Department.