Waste and Recycling

Seattle Food Waste Pilot Study

Client: Seattle Public Utilities

To assist in meeting Seattle’s recycling goals, Cascadia conducted a trial food waste collection program for more than 400 households in north and south areas of Seattle in the summer through late autumn. The pilot study included biweekly collection of food waste commingled with yard waste from the study population, which was delivered to composting facilities in the area. To evaluate the pilot project, observational data from collection events were recorded and analyzed. Follow-up telephone surveys of pilot participants were also conducted. Ultimately, a city-wide commingled organics collection program was devised, which has since been implemented.

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Cascadia began to immediately overhaul the way Resource Venture services were marketed, delivered, and tracked; ultimately resulting in superior outcomes. Among the dramatic changes we noted were (1) an increased level of accountability; (2) a more strategic focus; and (3) service documentation that demonstrated a more effective and efficient program. In particular, Cascadia’s “targeting and tracking” database made it possible to focus on the biggest commercial resources users with the greatest potential for conservation, and then measure their progress over time. The program’s unique targeted approach is extremely cost-effective; Cascadia has helped reduce the City’s program costs from about $100/ton diverted in 2006 to about $45/ton in 2008.

- Phil Paschke, Seattle Public Utilities