8.21.040 Compost procurement requirements.
A. Before issuance of a solicitation for bids or proposals, departments shall identify whether compost can be utilized in a city project. In the event that compost can be utilized, departments shall require purchase of compost for use in city projects.
B. Departments shall plan for the use of compost in any of the following categories that are applicable to the departments’ operations and project types:
1. Landscaping projects;
2. Construction and post-construction soil amendments;
3. Applications to prevent erosion, filter stormwater runoff, promote vegetative growth, or improve the stability and longevity of roadways; and
4. Low-impact development and green infrastructure to filter pollutants or to keep water on site or both.
C. Notwithstanding subsections A and B of this section, departments are not required to use compost product if:
1. Compost products are not available within a reasonable time or distance from the project;
2. Compost products that are available do not comply with existing purchasing standards;
3. Compost products that are available do not comply with federal, state or local health, quality and safety standards; or
4. Compost purchase prices are not reasonable or competitive.
D. Departments shall give priority to purchasing compost products from companies that:
1. Produce compost products locally;
2. Are certified by the U.S. Composting Council or an equivalent nationally recognized organization; and
3. Produce compost products that are derived from municipal solid waste compost programs and meet quality standards comparable to standards adopted by the Washington State Department of Transportation or adopted by rule by the Washington State Department of Ecology. (Ord. 2384 § 1, 2022).