SR 08-08-2017 11A
City Council Report
City Council Meeting: August 8, 2017
Agenda Item: 11.A
1 of 3
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Susan Cline, Director, Public Works, Office of Sustainability & the
Environment
Subject: Resolution for California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
(CalRecyle) Grants
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the application for grant funds from the
California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) to
reduce, recycle and reuse solid waste generated in the state.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to apply for the
grant, accept the grant, if awarded, and accept all grant renewals, if awarded.
Executive Summary
The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle)
administers the Food Waste Prevention and Rescue Grant Program. The aim of the
program is to lower overall greenhouse gas emissions by creating new or expanding
existing food waste prevention projects to reduce the amount of food sent to the
landfills. This is the first CalRecycle grant of its kind. The City of Santa Monica is eligible
for this funding and has benefited in the past from CalRecycle programs. The City
intends to apply for a $100,000 grant to build a stronger food recovery program.
The City plans to seek Food Waste Prevention and Rescue grants from CalRecycle to
work toward Santa Monica’s council adopted Zero Waste and Carbon Neutrality goals
by diverting organics from the landfill. While Santa Monica has a citywide organics
collection program, food and food-soiled paper continue to be the largest components of
the city’s waste stream. The grant funding would facilitate collaboration between local
businesses, non-profits, residents, and the City to decrease landfilled organics (food,
food-soiled paper) by developing a food recovery and a donation program. The
resolution would authorize the City to apply for these funds for fiscal years 2017-2018
2 of 3
through 2022-2023.
Background
City Council previously adopted resolution number 10657 (CCS) on February 14, 2012
authorizing the City Manager to execute various grant program applications under the
CalRecycle program for all grants the City of Santa Monica is eligible for. Resolution
10657 (CCS) expired on June 30, 2017. To date the City has received approximately
$900,000 in grant funding from CalRecycle to support various programs ranging from
Used Oil and Filter Recycling to Tire Recycling programs.
Discussion
According to the CalRecycle Business Group Waste Stream characterization calculator,
26,543 tons of food was disposed of in Santa Monica in 2014. Currently, only 10-18
percent of surplus edible food in the United States is recovered and distributed. This
could be significantly improved through food waste prevention and donation.
The City would use the grant funds to host a food forum that would bring together
stakeholders from restaurants, businesses, and non-profits around Santa Monica to
discuss food waste prevention and donations. While a vast network of food rescue
organizations and businesses exist in the Los Angeles region, a food forum has not
taken place in Santa Monica to bring together local stakeholders. The forum would raise
awareness by educating local constituents and help to develop a stronger and better
coordinated network. Once participating businesses have been identified, pre-waste
audits would begin to benchmark the percentage of edible vs. non-edible food waste
generated by these businesses. After the preliminary audit, businesses would receive
necessary donation materials such as storage and pickup containers and, potentially,
refrigerators depending on the volume and type of food donated. The City would
contract with local food donation and collection non-profits and utilize an existing mobile
application to make food donation and collection more convenient and on demand. The
food collected would be donated to populations in need throughout the City. The
remaining non-edible food waste, including food-soiled paper, would be diverted from
the landfill through composting programs.
3 of 3
Similar to the City Council resolution number 10657 (CCS) adopted on February 14,
2012, which authorized the City Manager to execute various grant program applications
under the CalRecycle program, staff would use this resolution as authority to apply for
Food Waste Prevention and Rescue grants from CalRecycle over the next five years.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the
recommended action. If the grant is awarded to the City staff will return to Council with
specific budget actions to accept the grant funding and appropriate funds in the amount
of $100,000.
Prepared By: James Velez-Conway, Senior Sustainability Analyst
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. CalRecycle Grant Authorization Reso 08.08.17
REFERENCE:
RESOLUTION NO. 11073
(CCS)