04.d. Composting Program
Protecting our community's heal th and the environment by providing solid waste and sewer collection services.
www.cmsdca.gov
Costa Mesa Sanitary District
….an Independent Special District
Memorandum
T o: Board of Directors
Via: Scott Carroll, General Manager
From: Elizabeth Pham , Management Assistant
Date: July 16 , 2013
Subject: Co mposting Program
Summary
The District’s Composting Program provides CMSD and Huntington Beach residents
with an opportunity to be involved with the ir community by playing an active role in
protecting the environment through free composting workshops. The p rogram has
been so successful that there is currently a waitlist to purchase the Envirocycle rolling
composting bins. Despite the popularity of the Envirocycle rolling composting bins,
staff has received many complaints from users about its tendency to get clogged. In
addition, the Envirocycle rolling composting bin has not been available to purchase for
several months and continues to be placed on backorder status. In order to address
the needs of our customers, staff believes an alternative composting bin should be
offered to residents as part of the District’s Composting Program.
Staff Recommendation
That the Board of Directors gives feedback to staff .
Analysis
The composting workshops are facilitated by residential Master’s Level composting
expert , Dr. Francene Kaplan. Residents can learn the basics and benefits of backyard
composting in a one -hour instructional setting. The purpose of the composting
program is to promote greater awareness of waste management and to protect the
environment by reduc ing the amount of waste going to the landfills.
Board of Directors
July 16 , 201 3
Page 2 of 3
The success of the program can be attributed to the District’s advertising in quarterly
newsletters, local newspapers, and flyer distribution at local markets such as Mother’s
Market, Whole Foods, and Trader Joes. In addition to advertising efforts, the District
has hosted several free workshops at Fairview Park, Estancia Park, and Mesa Verde
Park. The District will also be conducting composting and vermicomposting workshops
to the public at the OC Fair (A ttachment B). Since the program’s inception , the District
has sold approximately 1,000 composting bins. In order to continue to have a
successful program, staff will be purchas ing the Forest City dual -chamber composting
bin at a cost of $60.00 per composte r. The same composting bin will be available to
the public at the price of $30.00 per composter.
The Forest City dual -chamber composting bin is inexpensive , easy to use , and highly
recommended . This unique tumbling composter features two chambers . When one
side is filled it enables the other side to cure, making it easy to efficiently convert
kitchen and yard waste into rich soil enhancing compost. The composter has a sliding
door and a convenient built -in that enables users to turn it easily and produc e finished
compost in weeks. The tumbling composter is made with recycled, UV inhibited, black
plastic, which absorbs heat and is designed to be rodent -proof. The composting bin
also comes with a stand, which makes placement in gardens more convenient. In
addition, the cost for the Forest City dual -chamber composting bin is $60 per unit,
which is 65% less than the Envirocycle composting bin.
Strategic Plan Element & Goal
This item complies with the objective and strategy of Strategic Element 2.0, Solid
Wa ste, which states:
“Objective: Our objective is to manage the collection and recycling of residential trash
in the most economical and environmentally friendly way.”
“Strategy : We will do this by looking for ways to improve efficiencies, achieve high
cus tomer satisfaction, and considering prudent new recycling methods.”
Legal Review
Not applicable at this time.
Financial Review
Staff will be purchasing 120 dual -chamber composters at $60 per composter totaling
$8,025.60 , which includes shipping . The g rant from OC Waste & Recycling will pay
for this cost; however, the gra n t will expire in December 201 3 . The District
budgeted funds to purchase composting bins in the FY 2013 -14 and 2014 -15
Budgets that takes into consideration the grant expiring. A maximu m of two
composters per household will be allowed . The District has already obtain ed approval
from OC Waste & Recycling for the purchase of additional compost bins.
Public Notice Process
Board of Directors
July 16 , 201 3
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Copies of this report are on file and will be included with the co mplete agenda packet
for the July 16, 2013 Board of Directors Study Session meeting at District
Headquarters and posted on the District’s website .
Alternative Action
1. Direct staff to research and purchase a different composting container.
Reviewed by:
Javier Ochiqui
Management Analyst
Attachments A: Forest City Dual -Chamber Model Quote and picture
B: OC Fair Composting Dates
Forest City Models & Patterns Ltd.
1020 ELIAS ST. London, Ontario N5W 3P6
Fax. (519) 858 -9196 Telephone (519) 858 -5795
Hello Elizabet h,
Here is the quote for the composter.
IM4000 Composter
Unit Cost $60.00 each
Shipping Cost for 3 skids (120 composters) $825.60
120 X $60.00 = $7200.00
$7200.00 + $825.60 = $ 8025.60 Total Cost for 120 Composter shipped to you.
Tracey Fischer
FC MP
1020 Elias St.
London, ON N5W 3P6
P: 519 -858 -5795
F: 519 -858 -9196
info@fcmponline.com
www.fcmponline.com
Attachment A
Forest City Models and Patterns Ltd. Tumbling
Composter with Two Chambers f or Efficient Batch
Composting
2013 OC FAIR AGRICUL TURE & HORTICULTURE
L ECTURE SCHEDULE
L OCATION: SILO OVERHA NG
SPEAKING DEMONSTRATIONS MAY BE UP TO 45 MINUTES IN LENGTH
COMPOSTING WORKSHOP SCHEDULE:
Date Time Lecture Topic Speaker
Friday, July 12 3:00 pm Composting Dr. Francene Kaplan
Sunday, July 14 12:00 pm Composting Dr. Francene Kaplan
Wednesday, July 17 6:00 pm Composting Dr. Francene Kaplan
Saturday, July 27 4:30 pm Composting Dr. Francene Kaplan
Sunday, July 28 3:00 pm Composting Dr. Francene Kaplan
Thursday, Aug. 1 1:30 pm Composting Dr. Francene Kaplan
Saturday, Aug. 3 6:00 pm Composting Dr. Francene Kaplan
Sunday, Aug. 4 6:00 pm Composting Dr. Francene Kaplan
Sunday, Aug. 11 12:00 pm Composting Dr. Francene Kaplan
VERMIC OMPOSTING WORKSHOP SCHEDULE:
Date Time Lecture Topic Speaker
Friday, July 12 1:30 pm Vermi c omposting ENRECOS
S aturday , July 1 3 1:30 pm Vermi c omposting ENRECOS
Sunday , July 14 1:30 pm Vermi c omposting ENRECOS
Friday , July 2 6 1 :30 pm Vermi c omposting ENRECOS
Saturday, July 27 1:30 pm Vermi c omposting ENRECOS
Sun day, July 28 1:30 pm Vermi c omposting ENRECOS
Fri day, Aug. 2 1:30 pm Vermi c omposting ENRECOS
Attachment B
Satur day, Aug. 3 1:3 0 pm Vermi c omposting ENRECOS
Sunday, Aug. 4 1:3 0 pm Vermi c omposting ENRECOS
Fri day, Aug. 9 1:3 0 pm Vermi c omposting ENRECOS
S atur day, Aug. 10 1 :3 0 pm Vermi c omposting ENRECOS
S un day, Aug. 11 1:3 0 pm Vermi c omposting ENRECOS
Attachment B