The Metro Auditor’s Office released an audit today that looked at the region’s organic waste program. Organic waste includes food and yard debris. While Metro is responsible for planning the waste management system, many local jurisdictions, garbage haulers and facility operators carry out the plan. However, Metro also operates some facilities and regulates the system through licenses and franchises. The audit studied the collection and processing of organic waste, a small portion of this system.
The state has set a goal for the region that 64% of all the waste generated must be diverted from the landfill. Metro has not yet met that goal. While the amount of food waste collected grew from 9,500 tons to almost 30,000 tons between 2007 and 2011, it only represented a small portion of all the waste that was diverted. Further, adaptation of the system to make it possible to collect this waste has not been smooth. Metro has been successful in getting local jurisdictions to align their efforts with regional goals, but barriers included a lack of capacity to process this waste, the quality of the material collected and designing financial incentives to encourage participation.
“Many of our findings in this audit illustrated how dynamic and complex this system is.” Metro Auditor Suzanne Flynn said. “The technology is rapidly changing and there are many parties involved both in the private and public sectors.” Auditor Flynn stated that Metro needs to reassess its efforts and priorities as the landscape changes. The audit recommended that Metro analyze the overall cost-effectiveness of this program and adjust priorities as needed. She found management receptive to the audit and its recommendations.
For more information, contact Suzanne Flynn, Metro Auditor, at 503-797-1891. Copies of the audit can also be obtained by calling the Office of the Metro Auditor at 503-797-1892. The Metro Auditor will brief the Metro Council on December 5, 2013.