I suspect that my community, Seal Beach, is one of the private outsource cities you mentioned. After going to considerable effort several years ago to obtain a detailed description from that vendor, I was very impressed with their plastics separation and usage (they recycle most plastic). I didn't inquire about their organics, but I suggest that you do so - the vendor may be cooperative and helpful. Likewise, in my previous community, Downey, the vendor (which was located in Downey) while less aggressive on plastics, at least at that time, had a good reputation and would probably be interested in working with the chapter directly, in cooperation with the city, which did seem more knowledgeable than Seal Beach. Relying on educating city officials that have outsourced this to take it off their plates, and seeing to get them more deeply involved, is not likely to be successful. I would suggest a dual approach which seeks to determine what changes the vendor might be willing to make, if supported by the city, and taking that back to the city as an option or proposal. They might just be able to approve such a proposal, particularly if the cost is nominal to the city. Also, there are fewer vendors to contact than cities that use their services.