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Chairperson IvlcDilda suggested that fees for removing yard waste could be eliminated, <br />making it free to compost. . <br />Board Member Bentz. stated he has been to the composting facility, and there isn't much <br />there. He stated that developers would need a lot more than what is available currently. <br />Board Member Max stated that not much of the compost starts out in the City. There <br />isn't a lot .of finished compost, but the question should be asked where all the compost is <br />going. If it subsidizes the black dirt that is coming in, it should be leveraged. <br />Chairperson McDilda explained that -there is no charge for .the recycle bin material <br />because someone has found a way to recycle what's in the recycle bin and make money <br />on it. He questioned what people do with their yard waste. There are systems that could <br />be initiated to help change the process; that requires coming up with ways to help fund it. <br />Board Member Max stated that the City of Hutchinson collects compost and recycles it. <br />Environmental Coordinator Anderson. explained that they received a huge grant to make <br />that happen. <br />Mr. Bruce Bacon suggested that when looking at these components, there might be some <br />advantage in looking at the entire organic fraction as an aggregate amount. He noted that <br />there is food waste, chips, tree waste, yard waste, cardboard, and paper. For educational <br />purposes, to know what volume might be available, knowledge of the entire amount is <br />necessary to achieve an aggregate number for the City of Ramsey. . <br />Chairperson McDilda'stated it is never known how much is generated until the organic . <br />matter is collected. He stated that-last year was the first year he had a yard waste bin. It <br />fills up every week with garden waste and organic matter. He stated information and <br />collective data could be put into a grant program. <br />Board member Max asked if it was illegal to puff yard waste in the garbage. <br />Environmental Coordinator Anderson answered in the affirmative. <br />Board Member Olds asked how much of the yard waste gets in the garbage anyway. <br />Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated there will always be that faction of the <br />public that will try. to hide things :and get away with it. Most garbage trucks are now <br />equipped with cameras that monitor what isbeing-dropped in the hopper. . <br />Board Member 41ds stated that a couple of weeks ago, his neighbor had his garbage bin. <br />heaped with grapevine cuttings that most likely got dumped in the garbage trunk. <br />Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated that if it wasn't brought to the haulers <br />attention or he didn't notice, it goes into the landfill. He stated that concerned residents <br />could call the hauler to notify them of yard waste in the garbage can. The driver would <br />Environmental Policy Board/July 23, 2007 <br />-232- Page 10 of 16 <br />