The city of Omaha is considering its options for yard waste disposal. The municipal public work called Oma-gro used to process this waste into compost, but the program is losing money and will not be continued.

One option for yard waste disposal is the landfill. This is only legal because the landfill has a methane capture system. These systems are not 100% effective at preventing the release of methane. Aside from increased methane released, this option also shortens the remaining life of the Pheasant Point landfill, though the cost is many years away, there is significant cost with re-establishing a new landfill. Additionally, a decision to landfill yard waste is a decision against the benefits of creating a valuable soil amendment, compost, and it's a decision against creating jobs in the growing recycling sector.

Another option is to allow private companies to process this yard waste. The rest of the nation is trending towards this kind of recycling, and consensus is growing that composting is the most responsible use of yard waste. Let's not be obstinate while the nation progresses.

A signature on this petition means that you are urging the city of Omaha to consider all possible options to continue responsibly processing yard waste into a valuable resource while creating jobs, soil health, and community ownership of the midwest landscape. A signature means you believe in the ingenuity of local entrepreneurs to address this issue with cost effective solutions. A signature means that the potentially un-sexy issue of yard waste disposal is a concern you will be looking for in the coming mayoral election.

Thank you