Chapter 2.33
COMPOST PROCUREMENT POLICY
Sections:
2.33.040 Purchase of compost products not required.
2.33.050 Compost procurement activities report.
2.33.060 Community engagement.
2.33.010 Purpose.
This chapter aims to substantially increase Burien’s procurement of recycled content products and provide a model to encourage a comparable commitment by Burien residents and businesses in their purchasing practices. The procurement requirements only apply to the city of Burien for its operations and capital projects. [Ord. 808 § 1, 2022]
2.33.020 Definitions.
“Compost products” means mulch, soil amendments, ground cover, or other landscaping material derived from the biological or mechanical conversion of biosolids or cellulose-containing waste materials.
“Departments” means the various departments of the city of Burien. [Ord. 808 § 1, 2022]
2.33.030 Policies.
(1) Before issuance of a solicitation for bids or proposals, departments shall identify whether compost products can be utilized in a city of Burien project.
(2) If a compost product can be utilized in a city of Burien project, departments shall require the purchase of compost products in any of the following categories that apply to the departments’ operations and project types:
(a) Landscaping projects;
(b) Construction and post-construction soil amendments;
(c) Applications to prevent erosion, filter stormwater runoff, promote vegetative growth, or improve the stability and longevity of roadways;
(d) Low-impact development and green infrastructure to filter pollutants or to keep water on site or both.
(3) Burien shall promote the use of compost products by informing residents about the value of compost and providing information about how Burien uses compost products in its operations.
(4) Burien shall give priority to purchasing compost products from companies that:
(a) Produce compost products locally;
(b) Are certified by the U.S. Composting Council or an equivalent nationally recognized organization; and
(c) Produce compost products derived from municipal solid waste compost programs and meet quality standards that are comparable to standards adopted by the Washington State Department of Transportation or by a Washington State Department of Ecology rule. [Ord. 808 § 1, 2022]
2.33.040 Purchase of compost products not required.
Consistent with the provisions of RCW 43.19A.120(2), Burien is not required to use compost products if:
(1) Compost products are not available within a reasonable time;
(2) Available compost products do not comply with existing purchasing standards;
(3) Available compost products do not comply with federal or state health, quality, and safety standards;
(4) Compost product purchase prices are not reasonable or competitive;
(5) The total cost of using a compost product is financially prohibitive;
(6) Application of compost products will have detrimental impacts on the physical characteristics and nutrient condition of the soil as it is used for a specific crop;
(7) The project consists of growing trees in a greenhouse setting, including seed orchard greenhouses; or
(8) The available compost products have not been certified as being free of crop-specific pests and pathogens. [Ord. 808 § 1, 2022]
2.33.050 Compost procurement activities report.
(1) Departments that use compost products shall report the following information to the public works department by each fifteenth day of December:
(a) The volume and cost of compost products purchased by the department in that year; and
(b) The source or sources of the compost products purchased by the department that year.
(2) The public works department is responsible for compiling and submitting a report to the Washington State Department of Ecology by December 31, 2024, and each December 31st of even-numbered years after that, with the following information:
(a) The total tons of organic material diverted throughout the year;
(b) The volume and cost of compost products purchased throughout the year; and
(c) The source or sources of the compost products. [Ord. 808 § 1, 2022]
2.33.060 Community engagement.
Burien will use the following strategies to promote and educate the public:
(1) Provide technical assistance and education regarding the use of food and yard waste compost to Burien departments and staff;
(2) Conduct educational outreach to inform residents and businesses about the value of food and yard waste compost and how Burien uses compost products in its operations each year; and
(3) Inform the public regarding the total tons of organic material diverted throughout the year and the volume, cost, and source of compost products purchased. [Ord. 808 § 1, 2022]