Recommendations from the Waste Digester Task Force on how to bring mass-composting to Lexington

Last week, the Environmental Quality and Public Works (EQPW) Committee voted to approve the recommendations of the Waste Digester Task Force.

A Waste Digester System would collect and process organic waste from businesses and households into compost that could be sold to customers. This would reduce the amount of garbage that ends up in landfills while providing organic material to support gardens, trees, and soil systems across Lexington.

The Task Force came up with four recommendations:

• Develop and begin implementation of a recycling and yard waste contamination reduction plan by the end of 2025.

  • Nearly a third of landfill waste in Lexington is divertable, meaning it could be sent into recycling or could be composted instead.

  • The Reduction Plan process could include creating a workgroup, public outreach and education efforts, and modifying ordinances and/or resolutions related to recycling and yard waste.

• Develop and implement composting bins as an option for local businesses by the end of 2027.

• Develop and implement composting bins as an offering to Lexington households by the end of 2029.

• Regular updates from Environmental Quality and Public Works staff from July 2025 until the plan is fully implemented.

The Recycling and Yard Waste Contamination Reduction Plan would cost roughly $75k to develop. Looking forward, it could cost the City around $8 million to build the composting facility and $1.4 million per year for operational costs.

You can view the presentation slides starting on page 24 of this packet.

The Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 3rd at 1pm in Council Chambers. You can attend in-person or watch live on LexTV.