Eureka council passes first reading of organics collection ordinance
On Tuesday, the Eureka City Council unanimously voted to approve the first reading of an ordinance requiring universal organics collection.
The ordinance, which repeals and replaces the city code around solid waste in order to include language about mandatory organics collection, requires organic waste collection and some stores and restaurants must donate and log excess edible food. The council will return to the item, which also demands the city use materials from organic waste and recycled paper, at a future meeting for a second vote and adoption.
“We currently have mandatory garbage and recycling with an optional green waste program, and the third bin for organics will become mandatory when that service is available,” Robin Praszker, the city’s environmental project manager said. “We are working on the infrastructure needed to implement such a service.”