HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.20.22 Staff ReportJEFFERSON COUNTY, WA
SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1/20/22 STAFF REPORT
Program Focus
The below graph shows the 4-year trend in the amount of the County’s waste in pounds per year per
person. The 2021 endpoint represents a 14.5% increase over 2010. Curiously, extreme weather events
follow a very similar trend line as seen in the graph below it.
This waste generation trend is why Public Works is placing a larger focus on “upstream” efforts to
change consumer habits and bend this line downward, recognizing that no amount of technology or
infrastructure will ever make the single use of anything sustainable.
Recycling Contract
The recycling service agreement with Skookum Contract Services is on the Board of County
Commissioner consent agenda for 1/24/22.
Food Waste Diversion
Staff is following HB 1799 which is scheduled for a hearing in the House Committee on Environment and
Energy on 1/20/22. This legislation would require cities and counties to provide food waste collection in
census tracks with a population density above 75 per square mile. Staff will keep SWAC updated on this
bill and what it means to the solid waste program if it passes.
I/DD Employment Program
A contract for supported employment of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is
currently being reviewed internally and will likely be before the Board of County Commissioners
sometime in February.
Port of Port Townsend Request
Discussions are ongoing with the Port concerning their request to vacate the Moderate Risk Facility
before the end of the lease term.
Scale Replacement Project
Specifications for replacement pit scales and plans for revisions to the structural support are underway.
Public Works will solicit bids for the project through the Municipal Research and Services Center Small
Works Roster shortly with work expected to take place in Q3, 2022.
Environmental Center Improvements
Staff has procured sharps collection bins and will install these shortly at both the Quilcene and Transfer
Station facilities so that customers have an easy means of disposal without transiting the scales and staff
are at less risk of injury. This additional service will be advertised broadly.
Paint Care Program
Public Works has been unable to enter into the agreement with Paint Care – the State contractor for the
collection of unused house paint – due to an insurance clause that the County cannot abide by. Public
Health staff may have negotiated this clause out of the agreement and, if so, Public Works would likely
join this program which would provide some financial relief to our current paint collection program at
the Moderate Risk Facility.