Agenda - Council Work Session - 05/08/2012

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• Potential reduction in materials recycled, which means more materials being landfilled (based on data from Anoka County, generally speaking cities that contract for recycling services tend to have greater participation, greater tonnages of recycled materials and more successful programs. Two exceptions would be Andover and Coon Rapids, but both of these cities also offer a recycling center for their residents to drop off materials year round). • Education and information for residents (materials accepted by various haulers often differ slightly, making promotion and education more complicated). Funding for Ramsey's recycling program is provided by the state through the Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment (SCORE). The state distributes the SCORE funding to each county and then the county allocates those monies to the municipalities. In Anoka County, each municipality receives a base of $10,000 plus $5.00 per household. In 2012, Ramsey's allocation of SCORE monies is $50,165.00. The Anoka County Board of Commissioners annually establishes recycling goals for each municipality, which is typically the equivalent of recycling 175 pounds per person. The County allocates the SCORE funding to the municipalities to assist them in meeting their tonnage goal. Each municipality must enter into a recycling agreement with the County, which specifies certain program requirements, to be eligible to receive this funding. Ramsey uses the SCORE dollars to cover expenses associated with the spring and fall recycling events, to promote waste reduction and recycling in the community, for educational outreach purposes and to reimburse salary expenses specifically related to recycling activities. Recommendation: As previously mentioned, based on data from Anoka County, communities with contracts for recycling service typically have a better overall participation rate and greater recycling tonnages. Plus, the state's 2010-2030 Metropolitan Waste Management Policy Plan calls for 54 -60% recycling of all solid waste by 2030, which represents a significant jump in the recycling standard (for comparison, in 2011, Anoka County cumulatively recycled about 42% of its solid waste). Moreover, utilizing a contract for recycling service would limit the overall number of trucks on a street (separate trucks are used for collection of garbage, recycling, yard waste, and organics). Considering the ongoing discussions about how to fund the City's street reconstruction program, as well as the aggressive recycling goals set by the state, Staff would recommend contracting for recycling service, either by negotiating with our current service provider or by preparing an RFP. Funding Source: Funding for administering the recycling contract and all recycling related activities is covered by SCORE monies. The City will remain eligible for SCORE funding whether it continues with a contract for recycling services or if it shifts to an open hauling system. However, regardless of which type of system is implemented, the City will still be subject to the requirements of the recycling agreement including: • Ensuring that each household (including multi - tenant units) has the opportunity to recycle at least four broad types of materials, such as paper, glass, plastic, and metal. • The recycling program must be operated in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations. • The City must implement a public information program that contains at least the following components: o One promotion to be mailed to each household focused exclusively on the City's recycling program; o One promotion advertising recycling opportunities available for residents in the City's newsletter or local paper; o Two community presentations are to be given on recycling. • The City, on an ongoing basis, must identify new residents and provide detailed information on the recycling opportunities available to these residents. • The City must submit semiannual reports to the County detailing the quantity of materials recycled through curbside collection, recycling events etc. • The City must submit semiannual reports to the County detailing all expenditures and revenues associated with recycling activities. Council Action: Provide direction for Staff related to recycling services for the community.