Agenda Item Name:
Title
Zero Waste Program Update: Zero Waste Grant
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Presenter:
Patrick Irby, 352.338.3233
Description:
Update on the implementation of the County’s Zero Waste Program. This update will cover the Zero Waste Grant.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the creation of the Zero Waste Grant and Budget Amendment.
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Prior Board Motions:
September 28, 2021 - Adoption of Zero Waste Strategy Report and Implementation Plan.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
Budget amendment moves funds from EcoLoop Phase II to Zero Waste Grants for $200,000 in account 400.76.7605.541.31.00.
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Strategic Guide:
Environment
Background:
On September 28, 2021 the Board adopted the Zero Waste Strategy Report and Implementation Plan. The report includes a number of strategies designed to achieve the County’s Zero Waste goals. The purpose of this presentation is to update the Board on the proposal to create a Zero Waste Grant program in the County.
The Zero Waste Grant is designed to stoke innovation, spur development, and encourage the enhancement of Zero Waste programs within our non-profit and for-profit community for the benefit of the residents of the County. The grant will be open to qualified non-governmental, non-profit and for-profit entities. Eligible recipients would be programs that meet the Zero Waste Goals of the County as described in the Joint Alachua County / City of Gainesville Zero Waste Strategy Report and Implementation Plan. Programs include, but are not limited to: Reuse / Repair, C&D Recycling, Food Waste Composting, Recycling, Research, Education and Outreach, other Zero Waste activities as recommended in the County’s Zero Waste Plan. Applications will be evaluated based on their alignment with the County’s Zero Waste Plan, waste reduction potential and programs ability to sustain past the initial grant funding period.
The Zero Waste Grant will be a reimbursement grant and recipients will be required to provide quarterly reports to the County detailing the progress of the project supported by the grant. Staff is proposing to initially fund the Zero Waste Grant by using $200,000 from the funds that the Board allocated in 2019 for the construction of a bulk storage facility at the EcoLoop. Staff anticipates that some of data collected as part of the Zero Waste Grant will help guide the County’s decision on the need, size, location and management of a future bulk storage facility. Long term funding of the Zero Waste Grant may require an increase in the tipping fees at the Leveda Brown Environmental Park and Transfer Station.