Chapter 2.48
COMPOST PROCUREMENT POLICY
Sections:
2.48.040 Purchase of compost products not required.
2.48.050 Compost procurement activities report.
2.48.060 Community engagement.
2.48.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to ensure that the City of SeaTac purchase sustainable goods and services whenever they meet the price and performance requirements of the City and advance the goals and priority actions of the City of SeaTac’s Comprehensive Plan Policy, Strategic Climate Action Plan, Green Building Ordinance, and Comprehensive Solid Management Waste Plan. (Ord. 22-1023 § 1)
2.48.020 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, “compost” means a product created with “composted material” as defined in RCW 70A.205.015(3). “Compost” includes, but is not limited to, one hundred percent (100%) finished compost or blends that include compost as a primary ingredient. Mulch is compost if it contains a minimum of sixty percent (60%) composted material. Bark is not compost.
“Departments” means various departments of the City of SeaTac. (Ord. 22-1023 § 1)
2.48.030 Policies.
A. Before issuance of a solicitation for bids or proposals, departments shall identify whether compost can be utilized in a City project.
B. If compost can be utilized in a City project, departments shall require purchase of compost in any of the following categories that are applicable to the departments’ operations and project types:
1. Landscaping projects;
2. Construction and post-construction soil amendments;
3. Applications to prevent erosion, filter stormwater runoff, promote vegetative growth, or improve the stability and longevity of roadways in accordance with SMC Title 12; and
4. Low-impact development and green infrastructure to filter pollutants or to keep water on site or both in accordance with SMC Title 12.
C. The City shall promote the use of compost products by informing residents about the value of compost, publicizing its compost procurement programs, and how the City uses compost in its operations and in accordance with the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan under Chapter 12.15 SMC.
D. Departments shall give priority to purchasing compost products from companies that:
1. Produce compost products locally;
2. Are certified by the U.S. Composting Council or an equivalent nationally recognized organization; and
3. Produce compost products that are derived from municipal solid waste compost programs and meet quality standards comparable to standards adopted by the Washington State Department of Transportation or adopted by rule by the Washington State Department of Ecology. (Ord. 22-1023 § 1)
2.48.040 Purchase of compost products not required.
Consistent with the provisions of RCW 43.19A.120(2), the City is not required to use compost products if:
A. Compost products are not available within a reasonable period of time;
B. Compost products that are available do not comply with existing purchasing standards;
C. Compost products that are available do not comply with Federal or State health, quality, and safety standards;
D. Compost purchase prices are not reasonable or competitive;
E. The total cost of using compost is financially prohibitive;
F. Application of compost will have detrimental impacts on the physical characteristics and nutrient condition of the soil as it is used for a specific crop;
G. The project consists of growing trees in a greenhouse setting, including seed orchard greenhouses; or
H. The compost products that are available have not been certified as being free of crop-specific pests and pathogens. (Ord. 22-1023 § 1)
2.48.050 Compost procurement activities report.
A. Departments that use compost shall report the following information to the Public Work Solid Waste Division by each fifteenth day of December:
1. The volume and cost of compost purchased by the department in that year; and
2. The source or sources of the compost purchased by the department in that year.
B. The Solid Waste Division 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 thereafter, with the following information:
1. The total tons of organic material diverted from the King County waste stream throughout the year;
2. The volume and cost of compost purchased in that reporting period by the county; and
3. The source or sources of the compost purchased by the county under this chapter in that reporting period. (Ord. 22-1023 § 1)
2.48.060 Community engagement.
The Solid Waste Division is responsible for developing strategies to promote and educate the public by:
A. Providing technical assistance and education regarding the use of food and yard waste compost to City of SeaTac departments and staff;
B. Conducting educational outreach to inform residents and businesses about the value of food and yard waste compost and how the City of SeaTac uses compost in its operations each year; and
C. Reporting to Washington State Department of Ecology the total estimated tons of organic material diverted from the King County waste stream because of compost use under this chapter. (Ord. 22-1023 § 1)