San Antonio’s City Council approved a pilot organic waste program last week that could divert 9,000 tons of waste in its first year.
Next month, 30,000 households across four council districts will receive “green carts” for compostable waste as part of the Organic Material Recovery Program.
These green carts will accept yard trimmings, food scraps, food-soiled paper and uncommon compostables like cotton balls, dryer lint and sawdust.
The new program is part of the city’s 10-year plan to divert 60 percent of its waste by 2020. City officials expect to make significant progress towards this goal by collecting an estimated 9,000 tons of organic waste in the pilot’s first year.
Although the council ultimately voted 10-1 to approve, the high cost of the program raised concern for some council members, according to an article published last week by The San Antonio Express-News.
The new bins alone cost $1.8 million, and the city will pay a local waste management company up to $195,000 as part of a one-year deal to collect and transport organics.
If the program is expanded, officials estimate that the cost of carts and transportation could reach $33 million over five years.
Many city officials are confident that revenue from compost will offset costs. But some remained unconvinced that the program is an efficient use of taxpayer dollars – especially since it will be partially funded by solid waste rate increases.
In addition to high prices, some council members said questions of convenience and sanitation made constituents wary of the program.
San Antonio residents already use two carts for trash and recyclables, and some said that another cart would only further clutter their streets and alleyways.
Additionally, some residents worried that leaving organic waste outside during the hot summer months would result in icky smells and outrageous bug problems that could pose a threat to public health.
Some council members sought to delay the vote while concerns were mulled over. But Mayor Julian Castro, who is a supporter of the program, said that funds were allocated for organic waste diversion last year and costs shouldn’t keep the council from moving forward.
The performance of the pilot program will be tracked over the first year.
Pending city council approval, organic waste diversion programs will be instated city-wide by 2014, officials said.
Supporters noted that approving the pilot program does not oblige the council to continue with additional phases if performance standards are not met.
Article by Mary Mazzoni, Earth 911
Next month, 30,000 households across four council districts will receive “green carts” for compostable waste as part of the Organic Material Recovery Program.
These green carts will accept yard trimmings, food scraps, food-soiled paper and uncommon compostables like cotton balls, dryer lint and sawdust.
The new program is part of the city’s 10-year plan to divert 60 percent of its waste by 2020. City officials expect to make significant progress towards this goal by collecting an estimated 9,000 tons of organic waste in the pilot’s first year.
Although the council ultimately voted 10-1 to approve, the high cost of the program raised concern for some council members, according to an article published last week by The San Antonio Express-News.
The new bins alone cost $1.8 million, and the city will pay a local waste management company up to $195,000 as part of a one-year deal to collect and transport organics.
If the program is expanded, officials estimate that the cost of carts and transportation could reach $33 million over five years.
Many city officials are confident that revenue from compost will offset costs. But some remained unconvinced that the program is an efficient use of taxpayer dollars – especially since it will be partially funded by solid waste rate increases.
In addition to high prices, some council members said questions of convenience and sanitation made constituents wary of the program.
San Antonio residents already use two carts for trash and recyclables, and some said that another cart would only further clutter their streets and alleyways.
Additionally, some residents worried that leaving organic waste outside during the hot summer months would result in icky smells and outrageous bug problems that could pose a threat to public health.
Some council members sought to delay the vote while concerns were mulled over. But Mayor Julian Castro, who is a supporter of the program, said that funds were allocated for organic waste diversion last year and costs shouldn’t keep the council from moving forward.
The performance of the pilot program will be tracked over the first year.
Pending city council approval, organic waste diversion programs will be instated city-wide by 2014, officials said.
Supporters noted that approving the pilot program does not oblige the council to continue with additional phases if performance standards are not met.
Article by Mary Mazzoni, Earth 911
are open to a trade: your sweat and labor for their fruits and vegetables. Oftentimes, organic, sustainable or pesticide-free farms can be short on staff and time and need the extra help.
and scant or non-existent application of synthetic pesticides and herbicides means these farms need more labor than a conventional farm. 
to rows, transplant starts and harvest crops (all after a few supervised training rounds, of course).
? (Let’s face it, some of us have trouble with those heaping piles or lack the motivation to even try.) For the avid composter, offer a few neighbors the opportunity to drop off their compostable waste with you.
or 
. Your neighbors gain because they help reduce the amount of waste they send to the landfill, and any extra compost you have can be shared for your neighbor’s use.
? No problem! Well, as long as you live in 
or 
, Okla., that is. In NYC, The Alliance for Downtown New York offers residents and tourists alike the two-and-a-half hour opportunity to bike the city for free. A credit card is required to ensure the bike is returned.
program, get ambitious and see what it takes to start one. Oftentimes there are 
just waiting to be applied for, and cities are always looking for innovative ways to promote tourism. The trend has already caught on in 
and 
.
, helping you save money and the environment at the same time. Carpool with some friends and make an escape to the beach, the mountains or another close getaway.
… it’s only a one or two night stay! Use 
to plan a route that is less than two hours away to save time and gas. Not only will you save cash, you will get to know your area a little better and help keep the little money you do spend closer to home.
. But luckily we know how to reuse the plastic bags when they start to accumulate (doggie bag, trash liner, storage bag, you name it). Yet all that effort and attention on plastic grocery bags leads us to forget about other types of plastic bags: the freezer bag and the sandwich bag.
at the store are expensive. But since you still have to clean, try making some cleaning supplies yourself from stuff that’s already in your kitchen.
design or traditional turf, when it rains, don’t water! With natural moisture, there is no need to water on the regular schedule set by the sprinkler or drip irrigation system. Turn off the water for a day or two after a good rain storm and save mucho dinero.
with a click a day. That means no cost, just clicks! Use the power of your right index finger to support 
for daily use. Include items such as a 
and coffee mug, and put it all in a 
for impromptu shopping trips. Leave your kit in your car or desk.
, trade your standard brands for supplies labeled eco-friendly or biodegradable. Or play chemist, and make your own! Vinegar, salt and lemon juice are all great natural cleaning solvents.
’s viewing settings for easy reading. This will reduce your need to print out emails or pages of interest. When you do print, use both sides to reduce paper waste. Also, change your power settings to optimize battery usage and activate sleep mode after a period of inactivity.
or a running 
may not seem like a big deal, but little leaks can waste loads of water. Make sure all your faucets are leak-free and your toilet is always working properly.
, and flip it off when they are not being used.
food scraps is a quick and easy way to reduce waste in your home. Once your pile is set up, it’s as simple as tossing your food scraps into a bowl and taking it outside every day. Check out 
at the proper pressure 
for a healthy drink. For something more refreshing, run your creation through a strainer and add some water. Or you can never go wrong with homemade iced tea or lemonade! Pour your tasty tonics into pitchers and stick them in your fridge for the week.
. Check out reusable sandwich containers as an alternative to plastic bags, and don’t forget the 
!
and even 
their way to unintentionally eco-friendly behavior. As more people embrace these ways to 
and exercise some creativity, this accidentally green behavior will become increasingly ingrained." So says Ann Mack, head of trendspotting for 
. Several so-called 
, which cost much less over time.)
. Snuffed out by Prohibition and 1950s automation, the cocktail began its resurgence in the 1980s. But the trend has only begun to catch fire in the Heartland. "It had to skip two generations," Rothbaum said. "Anything your grandfather did is cool, but anything your parents did is not." What's new for this trend, Rothbaum said, is a focus, following on the heels of the local food movement, on the provenance of liquors and mixers. Looking to get in on this trend? Learn how to mix a drink with Liquor.com's handy 
, that oldest of home habits is reaching another peak of popularity, like that seen in the 1960s, according to Mack. "This green habit has been gradually picking up adherents; in 2010, watch for widening adoption by both households and municipalities as people grow more aware of its benefits and are won over by new devices that make composting easier and less offputting."
bug is tough to shake, so expect people to continue to be generous with their time, even as it gets easier to remain fully employed.