2019-009 Commercial Food DiversionDate: January 18, 2019 Report No. 2019-009
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
The Committee on the Environment requested an informal staff report on the City’s current
commercial food diversion programs.
BACKGROUND & DISCUSSION:
The Solid Waste Department currently maintains a commercial food collection and landfill
diversion program. The program was established in March 2012 to collect and compost pre-
consumer vegetative food waste. Solid Waste is responsible for collecting the waste, and the
Beneficial Reuse Division composts the material as part of the division’s Dyno Dirt program.
The collection service is available to any Denton business wishing to divert pre-consumer
vegetative food waste. Collection occurs once per week, and the cost of service is $374.13 per
month. This rate is being evaluated as part of Solid Waste’s rate correction strategy. Five
commercial customers are currently participating in the program, and their participation diverted
371 tons of food waste in FY 2017-2018. Historical diversion volumes are detailed below:
Fiscal Year FY 17-18* FY 16-17 FY 15-16 FY 14-15 FY 13-14 FY 12-13 FY 11-12
Diverted Food
Waste in Tons 371.23 427.47 487.06 437.21 379.76 343.85 199.70
*The number of participants has been maintained year over year despite the recent reduction in volume
Solid Waste staff offer this and other diversion programs to commercial entities through ongoing
direct marketing efforts. Commercial customers interested in participating in vegetative food
waste diversion may contact Brandi Neal, Solid Waste’s Business Account Coordinator, at (940)
349-8027. Prior to receiving service, prospective customers will receive a waste audit and
consultation with Solid Waste staff to prevent contamination and ensure program success.
Staff is evaluating the acceptance of vegetative food waste for residential customers as a part of
the yard waste business case analysis which will be presented in late spring 2019. Please feel free
to contact me if you have additional questions or concerns.
STAFF CONTACT(S):
Ethan Cox
Director of Solid Waste
(940) 349-7421
Ethan.Cox@cityofdenton.com