The Department of Public Works Seeks Applicants to Establish & Manage New Food Waste Drop-Off Sites

Description 
The Department of Public Works (DPW) sponsored Food Waste Drop-Off (FWDO) Program provides residents with the opportunity to drop-off food waste for composting year-round at designated locations throughout the District. DPW currently supports 10 drop-off locations, with at least one in each of the District’s eight wards.

To increase access to food waste composting opportunities, DPW is expanding the Program by two sites in Spring 2023. While the District’s current FWDO sites are co-located with farmers’ markets, these two new sites could be co-located at a community garden, on a college campus, in a church parking lot, or anywhere people frequently congregate

DPW is pleased to begin accepting applications from dedicated community members to establish, manage, and staff a new FWDO site to operate weekly for 52 weeks, rain or shine. Each FWDO site requires one site manager to lead operations and serve as the primary point of contact for the site, working closely with DPW and its FWDO contractor. Though not required, DPW encourages applicants to identify a secondary point of contact to serve as an assistant manager for the FWDO site.

All members of the public are encouraged to apply, including passionate community members, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, businesses, business improvement districts, or other interested parties.
 
FWDO Site Manager Requirements 
Selected FWDO site managers will be responsible for the following: 
  • Management of the FWDO site operations and volunteer staff.
  • Securing a location that allows for set-up of one 10’ x 10’ canopy (tent), one table, and two chairs, with additional space to accommodate up to 10 35-gallon food waste collection bins, to be provided for free by DPW and its FWDO contractor.
  • Recruiting unpaid volunteer staff and developing a staffing plan to ensure at least two staff are available for the following each week for 52 weeks, rain or shine:
    • Setting up and breaking down the FWDO site.
    • Monitoring food waste collection bins for contamination and assist FWDO participants dropping off food waste.
    • Educating FWDO participants by providing verbal or written communication or educational materials supplied by DPW.
  • Storing, transporting, setting up, and breaking down FWDO site equipment: one 10’ x 10’ canopy (tent), one table, two chairs, one tablecloth, one banner and any educational materials DPW requests to be distributed or displayed. Site managers will not be required to store and transport collection bins and food waste.
  • Storing, transporting, setting up, and breaking down FWDO staff supplies, such as scales, clipboards, hand sanitizer, hand warmers, spatulas, and sanitary wipes.
  • Tracking and reporting the number of residents dropping off food waste on a weekly basis.
  • Establishing a system to work with DPW and its FWDO contractor to ensure on-time delivery and collection of the food waste collection bins prior to and after the FWDO site operation times.
Additionally, the FWDO site manager and volunteer staff will require the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

DPW will support the new FWDO site managers by providing assistance and guidance for any permits that may be necessary to establish the new site, and supplying all equipment required to operate the site.  

For questions and more information about eligibility, interested parties can reach out to zero.waste@dc.gov.
Application and Review Process 
DPW will review and evaluate applicants based on their understanding and commitment to providing these services, their ability to provide and manage volunteers, and the location of the proposed site and its ability to provide equitable access to food waste composting.

Interested applicants must complete and submit applications no later than 11:59 PM ET on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.

All information and data disclosed in the application form below will remain confidential.

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* 1. Primary Applicant Information (FWDO Site Manager)

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* 2. Secondary Point of Contact Information (if applicable)

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* 3. Describe both the primary and secondary contacts’ personal, professional, or organizational experience and qualifications related to composting, food waste diversion, community engagement, and sustainability.

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* 4. Proposed Food Waste Drop-Off Location

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* 5. Describe why this location is suitable and how a FWDO site at this location would benefit the community.

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* 6. Does the proposed location serve an historically underserved population, and if so, please explain.

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* 7. Describe how you intend to store and transport one 10’ x10’ canopy (tent), one table, two chairs, one tablecloth, one banner, and any educational materials DPW requests to be distributed or displayed. Site managers will not be required to store and transport collection bins and food waste.

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* 8. We require that all FWDO sites be monitored at all times during operating hours by at least two volunteer staff. Please detail how you intend to acquire, retain, train, and manage a staff of volunteers.

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* 9. Volunteers may become unavailable on short notice to staff and monitor the site, therefore, we require FWDO site managers have a plan to ensure the site is always fully staffed and operational during its hours of operation. Please describe your plan.

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* 10. Provide any additional details that demonstrate your ability to meet or exceed the requirements for the FWDO Program.

By submitting this application, I acknowledge and understand the commitment and expectations required to fulfill the role establishing and managing a Food Waste Drop-Off site on behalf of the Government of the District of Columbia. I also affirm and certify that all the information provided in this application is complete, true, and correct.

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