Path B: Infrastructure
Missoula’s Zero Waste economy will be supported by a network of facilities and businesses that together provide the framework for sustainable materials management.
Objective B1: Enhance and develop Zero Waste infrastructure
Action B1.1 - SHORT - Work to expand materials accepted at Garden City Compost
The acquisition of the operation now known as Garden City Compost was a major step toward Zero Waste for the City of Missoula. Finding a sustainable solution for the organic portion of MSW is commonly one of the biggest challenge in communities striving for Zero Waste. Improvements at Garden City Compost are underway and the facility has already expanded materials accepted beyond biosolids and yard debris (including leaves and christmas trees). Expand Garden City Compost list of accepted materials to also include all food scraps & food-soiled paper, organic C&D debris (e.g. naily lumber), and BPI-certified compostable products and packaging.
Action B1.2 - SHORT - Assist with development of Household Hazardous Waste facility
A Missoula City-County Health Department HHW facility would serve as a collection hub in the community for hazardous products. The facility could divert problematic products including oil, antifreeze, paint, tires, batteries, pharmaceuticals, carpet, medical waste, and possibly others from the MSW stream. To reduce disposal costs, identify opportunities for materials reuse and encourage management of collected items by manufacturers or retailers in advance of Policy Action D3.4.
Action B1.3 - SHORT - Ensure availability of materials & technical support for Zero Waste events
Invest in portable collection bins and signage for pop-up Zero Waste stations that can be deployed at all events in public parks and areas and made available for private events as well for temporary use. Provide training and technical assistance to venue and event coordinators.
This Action in Action
Action B1.4 - SHORT - Support expanded drop-off options for recyclables & reusables
Encourage nonprofit agencies, local businesses, e-Steward recyclers, B-corporation certified recyclers, or those that adhere to documentable ethical practices to accept and/or establish locations in the community for drop-off of recyclable and reusable items.
This Action in Action - Recyclables
This Action in Action - Reusables
Action B1.5 - MEDIUM - Support a more complete and comprehensive food recovery network
Act on recommendations from “An Emerging Blueprint for a Food Waste Free Community” to identify implementation actions that address reducing food waste and increasing food security.
Action B1.6 - MEDIUM/LONG - Explore development of additional Zero Waste facilities
Possible facilities include: Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM); Construction, Demolition, and Deconstruction (CDD) reuse & recycling facilities; Materials Recovery Facility (MRF); and/or Resource Recovery Park (RRP). Determine gaps in infrastructure to efficiently and economically divert materials. Where necessary, develop or contract for a facility or facilities to: Accept hard to recycle materials for reuse, refurbishing and/or recycling (CHaRM); recover reusable, value-added building materials as well as inert C&D materials, e.g., rock, asphalt, concrete, bricks (CDD); sort recyclables for highest market value (MRF); co-locate reuse, recycling, and compost processing with manufacturing and retail businesses (RRP).
This Action in Action - CHaRM
Objective B2: Create opportunities to jump-start local Zero Waste markets and business development
Action B2.1 - SHORT - Develop Zero Waste start-up assistance program
Align and connect existing small business development agencies to provide support for Zero Waste start-ups.
Action B2.2 - MEDIUM - Investigate development of a Zero Waste Business Park
A Zero Waste Business Park could intercept materials destined for the landfill and transform them into marketable products. Possible uses could include a Zero Waste business incubator site for niche recycling, reuse or repair, upcycling, and valued-added small manufacturing operations that would provide local green collar jobs. Explore siting adjacent to the Missoula Landfill.