Leveraging Direct Service Providers to Meet Procurement Targets: Case Studies
Track
Organics
Session Description
Working with Direct Service Providers will be critical for many jurisdictions to work toward their SB 1383 procurement targets. This session will provide three examples of creative ways to work leverage the ability to use a direct service provider to meet procurement targets. San Mateo County will discuss their work with the non-profit organization Zero Foodprint and the San Mateo County Resource Conservation District to provide compost to farmers and ranchers. Zero Waste Sonoma will present their innovative compost rebate program that subsidizes agricultural compost use Sonoma County, creating Direct Service Providers of rebate applicants. Agromin will discuss and demonstrate of their new tool, "California Compost" designed to help connect jurisdictions with compost suppliers and users.
Speakers
Xinci Tan, Zero Waste Sonoma
Title
Organics Program Manager
Speaker Abstract
In most of Northern California, the demand for finished compost and mulch often exceeds supply. Although the state's SB 1383 organic waste products procurement requirements were well-intentioned, they are challenging for jurisdictions in Sonoma County to satisfy without disrupting existing markets. Zero Waste Sonoma has developed a compost rebate program that will preserve and leverage existing market relationships, minimize costs to local jurisdictions, and support local efforts to encourage carbon sequestration.
Kimberly Cook, Agromin
Title
Central and NorCal Business Development Manager
Speaker Abstract
With SB1383 procurement requirements around the corner, it is helpful to know what options are available for compost procurement and procurement reporting. The California Compost website provides both of these solutions to jurisdictions statewide. Since each County and City has unique needs and requirements, attendees to this presentation will explore case studies showing how the California Compost website, as well as Agromin’s procurement brokering services, have supported diverse jurisdictional needs and representing multiple paths to SB1383 compliance.
Jack Steinmann, County of San Mateo
Title
Resource Conservation Specialist II - Waste Reduction
Speaker Abstract
The County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability is piloting different direct service provider/compost broker arrangements in collaboration with jurisdictions within the County, the South Bay Waste Management Authority, the San Mateo Resource Conservation District (RCD), and Zero Foodprint in order to meet SB 1383’s recovered organic waste procurement requirements. The pilots focus on farm and rangeland compost application, local compost application planning, and assessment of compost quality and infrastructure needs to scale compost use in San Mateo County. The goal of these pilots is to develop programs within the County that any jurisdiction can participate in to meet their SB 1383 procurement requirements that also increases carbon sequestions, improves our county’s climate resiliency, and supports our local food system.