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ORDER AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT THE COMPOSTING AND FOOD WASTE REDUCTION GRANT FROM US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO PILOT STRATEGIES FOR INCREASING FOOD RESCUE AND FOOD SCRAP DIVERSION, AND TO ENTER INTO ASSOCIATED AGREMEENTS IN ORDER TO ACCEPT GRANT FUNDING AND CARRY OUT THE ASSOCIATED GRANT PROGRAM ACTIVITIES.
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WHEREAS, studies estimate that nearly one third of New Haven’s solid waste stream is organic material that could be composted; and,
WHEREAS, currently the City of New Haven’s food waste is incinerated along with other municipal solid waste at the Bridgeport incinerator, exacerbating regional air quality and contributing to the air pollution that causes climate change; and,
WHEREAS, the New Haven Office of Climate and Sustainability recognizes that composting recycles nutrients from food scraps, leaves, woody debris, and other organic matter; and,
WHEREAS, the New Haven Office of Climate and Sustainability recognizes that composting reduces air pollution and improves soil health; and,
WHEREAS, reducing New Haven’s carbon footprint will require all entities to adopt sustainable materials management practices; and,
WHEREAS, residences and businesses served by private haulers make up nearly two thirds of the City’s solid waste tonnage annually; and,
WHEREAS, New Haven Office of Climate and Sustainability recognizes that it is critical to pilot and demonstrate the value of food waste diversion strategies for large residences and commercial businesses; and,
WHEREAS, the City of New Haven will, in partnership Center for EcoTechnology and Haven’s Harvest, apply for funding from the US Department of Agriculture; and upon receipt of such grant, the City will accept said grant in its entirety; and,
WHEREAS, the US Department of Agriculture has issued a request for proposals, entitled the Composting and Food Waste Reduction Pilot Project, intended to develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ORDERED by Board of Alders of the City of New Haven that the Mayor, on behalf of the City is authorized to apply for and accept the grant mentioned herein from the US Department of Agriculture.
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Mayor is authorized to execute said application for funding, to execute any revisions, amendments or modifications to said contract, and to sign any associated federal agreements, agreements with contractors, and other documents, any of which may have a term of longer than one year and any federal agreements that may include indemnification provisions, that the Mayor deems desirable or necessary, including any subsequent amendments to agreements, in order to accept grant funding and carry out the associated grant program activities.