In October 2019, the Division of Integrated Waste Management (Division) started the operations of the Anaerobic Composting facility at the Yolo County Central Landfill (YCCL). In order to secure waste for the operation of this facility, City of Davis (City) and other cities within Yolo County were approached with a request for each city to enter into an agreement committing organic waste to the YCCL. Like the municipal solid waste agreement the County executed with the City in 2009, the organics flow agreement will ensure a guaranteed flow of organic waste to the County. The Division has also entered into agreements with City and County of Sacramento to receive organic waste. Agreements with cities in Yolo County would allow the Division to determine at what capacity future agreements for importing out-of-county organic waste could be pursued. The County has offered financial incentives to jurisdictions agreeing to commit organic waste and a guarantee to hold space at the composting facility for municipalities with agreements.

Senate Bill 1383, the Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Act, requires that all cities have agreements to fulfill their responsibilities set forth in the organics recycling regulations and procurement of recovered organic waste.  The main agreement terms include the following items that meet SB 1383 compliance and provide the City with additional financial benefits.

Secured capacity for organic waste processing.

The City will agree to direct its exclusive hauler to deliver all organic waste to the YCCL for composting and the County will reserve space for the City for the term of the contract. There are currently not enough composting facilities in California to meet the needs of the estimated amount of organic waste that is currently being collected. Yolo County will provide the City  with secured capacity in a demanding market at a location that is close to the City at rates less than what other local jurisdictions secured (e.g., rates at other facilities utilized are over $95/ton and are not local).

Delivery of free compost / Reserved Amount of Recovered Organic Waste.

SB 1383 requires the City to procure, for use or give-away, a targeted amount of recovered organic waste products, including compost. This will provide the City with the ability to secure a portion of the target procurement amount of compost. Likewise, the City will receive 100 cubic yards of compost delivered for free to a city-designated location for residential compost give-away at two events per year.

Reduced tipping fees.

The agreement provides the City with per ton tipping fees for organic waste that are less than the "gate rate" provided to customers that do not have an agreement. In addition to the benefits listed above, this agreement supports the Yolo County’s continued partnership approach with cities for regional waste reduction and recycling programs.