EQC Meeting Date: October 21, 2026
To: Environmental Quality Commission
From: Sara Pabich, Sustainability Coordinator
Title
Residential Curbside Composting/Organics Recycling RFP and Grant Update
Body
Action Requested:
Environmental Quality Commission receives an update about the release of the Residential Curbside Composting/Organics Recycling RFP release.
Summary Report:
At the October 6 City Council meeting, Council was asked to authorize the release of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Residential Curbside Composting/Organics Recycling Program. The motion passed 5–2 (Yes: Ness, Holmes, Sokup, Peterson-White, Zweifel; No: Beumer, Dahlen).
Additionally, Council was asked to authorize an application to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Organics Management Grant to support the launch of the program. The grant supports projects that expand participation in organics recycling through collection programs, outreach and education, and related efforts, with an emphasis on measuring project outcomes. The motion passed 6–1 (Yes: Ness, Holmes, Sokup, Peterson-White, Dahlen, Zweifel; No: Beumer).
Consistent with that direction, staff has prepared a proposed Request for Proposals for residential curbside organics recycling collection services. Key elements of the proposed RFP include:
A five-year residential collection contract
Anticipated service beginning June 1, 2027, allowing approximately six months for contractor preparation following contract award
Initial collection focused on food scraps
A required 5-gallon container option, with containers no larger than 10 gallons
Contractor education and contamination reduction requirements
Participation tracking and reporting requirements
Evaluation of proposals based on qualifications and experience, collection operations, participation and education strategies, contamination reduction and overall responsiveness to the RFP
Consistent with Council’s prior direction, the purpose of this evening’s ...
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