Compost survey shows interest but few drop‑off users; committee plans workshops and outreach

Alex (city sustainability staff) reported to the Sustainability Committee on April 10 that a composting survey launched Jan. 24 received 213 responses. “We had 213 responses,” Alex said, and staff summarized barriers respondents reported: inconvenient drop‑off locations, uncertainty about what materials are acceptable, and limited awareness of existing services.

Survey findings and response: staff said roughly 40 respondents reported backyard composting and eight reported using the city collection center; many respondents chose multiple answers when asked how they handle food waste. The committee discussed a fall workshop on composting techniques (including vermicomposting for small‑space living), the potential to offer subsidized or raffle‑incentivized compost bins, and a planned post‑outreach survey to measure behavior change.

Rebate program uptake: staff also reported 83 toilet rebates processed to date and two irrigation rebate applications submitted, and encouraged committee members to help promote rebates and SmartHub meter access as part of Earth Day outreach.

What’s next: staff will work to schedule a composting workshop in the fall with materials and outreach and will try to include composting information at the April 17 active‑transportation meeting. A post‑outreach survey was proposed to capture before/after impacts of education and incentives.

Provenance: compost survey and rebate update, SEG 1625–SEG 1799.