Agenda - Council Work Session - 05/08/2012

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CC Work Session 2. 1. Meeting Date: 05/08/2012 By: Chris Anderson, Community Development Title: Residential Curbside Recycling Contract Background: State Statute (Chapter 115A Waste Management) requires that residents, including both single family and multifamily residences, have the opportunity to recycle, which means having access to either a recycling drop -off center or curbside collection of recyclables. Ramsey has historically satisfied this requirement with a contract for curbside collection of residentially generated recyclables. In January of 2006, the City entered into a five (5) year curbside recycling contract with ACE Solid Waste, Inc. Prior to the expiration of that contract, the City implemented a two (2) year extension of the curbside contract with ACE Solid Waste, Inc, which is now due to expire December 31, 2012. Notification: Observations: Ramsey has worked hard over the last decade to improve it's recycling program and under the current recycling contract, Ramsey has met its annual tonnage goal (set by Anoka County, equivalent to 175 pounds per person per year) each year, has been recognized by the Anoka County Board of Commissioners as a Rethink Recycling Champion twice (2007 & 2008, which recognizes the efforts of a community that recycled the highest total pounds per person per year) and in 2006 was recognized as the most improved recycling program in Anoka County. While these are great accomplishments of the residents of Ramsey, they may not have been possible without the efforts and service of ACE Solid Waste, Inc. Staff does want to note that ACE Solid Waste, Inc. has provided excellent service over the course of the current contract; has been very accommodating of requests by the City and residents; and of course, is a local business that has been located in Ramsey since 2000. Utilizing a contract for recycling services does ensure that each household has curbside service, which limits the volume of trucks going up and down roads collecting material and bolsters participation. In fact, when the City made the switch from a dual sort to a single sort collection method, which required a cart to be delivered to each household in Ramsey, participation jumped from about 70% to 90% and it is still at 90% today. Another benefit of the current contract is that the service provider is required to provide staff and equipment for the City's spring and fall recycling events at no additional cost (savings of about $2,000 to $2,500 per year). There are, however, several options the City could consider regarding recycling service: (1) negotiate a new contract with ACE Solid Waste; (2) draft an RFP for City Council consideration for contracted curbside recycling services; (3) shift from a contracted service for curbside collection of recyclables to an open hauling system, which residents can select any city- licensed hauler for service. When contemplating these options, the following should be considered: • Traffic volumes (under contract, just one hauler sending trucks out for collection of recyclables, open hauling would generate more traffic and more wear and tear on roads). • Collection days /zones (currently all recycling is collected on an every other Monday schedule). • Ordinance updates (if shifting to open hauling system) necessary to ensure haulers provide tonnage data for reporting purposes and specified collection days /zones should the City want to limit the days that trucks can be in neighborhoods.