The City of Mission Viejo will take the lead in proposing a new regional food waste diversion program, under a proposal the City Council will consider Monday.
Under the plan, Mission Viejo – partnering with Laguna Beach, Irvine and waste hauler Waste Management – will seek $400,000 in grant funding from the County of Orange, OC Waste & Recycling Department. The grant doesn’t require matching funds and is based on AB 939 Self-Haul Surcharge funds, which are designed to help with waste reduction and landfill diversion programs.
The regional proposal would divert food waste from landfill disposal. Food waste is a large part of the waste stream that’s not currently being diverted.
The county, which is seeking regional proposals, encouraged cities to submit joint proposals. The proposal also includes the unincorporated areas of Las Flores and Ladera Ranch. The county is expected to notify cities about the grant funding by May 14.
The proposed food waste diversion program would be another notch on Mission Viejo’s environmental belt. The City has long been a leader on the environmental front by implementing and expanding recycling and waste diversion programs in an effort to preserve and protect the environment and exceed the state’s mandated 50 percent diversion rate. Throughout the years, a construction and demolition waste recycling ordinance and waste-to-energy program were implemented and school, multi-family and business recycling was expanded, resulting in the City diverting 59 percent of its waste in 2006 up by 17 percent from 2003.
Council members on Monday, May 4 will consider giving the City the green light to apply for the grant and act as the lead agency.
The City Council meets at 6 p.m. in Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 Civic Center.
