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regional issue and one that Ramsey believes needs a regional solution. Thus, instituting a education and <br />awareness campaign around groundwater has the distinct ability to help delay and defer any significant capital <br />expenses that Ramsey may incur. <br />Solid Waste Reduction <br />Ramsey contracts with a single hauler for curbside service for single-family residential . This not only helps <br />with participation rates and education, but also helps reduce the number of trucks traversing local streets (less <br />wear and tear and likely reduces air pollutants as well). The curbside program provides collection of <br />recyclables on an every other week (EOW) schedule. Ramsey is divided into an east side and west side for <br />collection purposes, generally along Sunfish Lake Blvd and Nowthen Blvd (with all residential properties <br />south of Highway 10 being considered west). <br />In 2014, State Statute 115A.551 (Recycling) was amending to specify that by December 31, 2030, each <br />metropolitan county will have a goal to recycle seventy-five percent (75%), by weight, of the total solid waste <br />generated. Furthermore, it states that counties will develop or require political subdivisions within the county <br />to develop and implement programs, practices, and/or methods designed to achieve this goal. <br />In recognition of this aggressive goal, Ramsey has created new and/or additional opportunities for residents <br />to properly dispose of recyclable materials. This includes expanding the list of acceptable materials collected <br />during Ramsey's Recycling Day events, which now accepts carpet, carpet padding, textiles, motor oil, oil <br />filters, and antifreeze. Additionally, Ramsey has added a third Recycling Day (summer) event to provide an <br />additional opportunity for residents to properly dispose of materials generally not accepted through the <br />curbside program. <br />After review of a recent metropolitan waste sort (completed for Hennepin County in 2016), it is clear that <br />organic materials represent the largest component remaining in trash. This represents a potential opportunity <br />to boost Ramsey's recycling tonnage, which led the city to implement an organics recycling drop-off program. <br />Ramsey is providing `starter kits' at no cost to encourage residents to participate in <br />this program. There are carts located at the Public Works Campus for participants to <br />drop off their organics. Ramsey is continuing to explore various options to expand <br />and improve the organics program. This could include a larger scale drop-off site <br />and/or a curbside program is yet another attempt to increase the amount of material <br />diverted from the trash to the recycling stream. <br />The greatest opportunity to realize significant gains in recycling, however, will <br />likely come from the commercial sector. While Ramsey's recycling program is <br />focused on the residential sector, primarily based on how the program is <br />funded (Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment, aka SCORE), <br />Anoka County does work with the commercial sector. They have partnered with Minnesota Waste Wise to <br />conduct waste audits for interested commercial entities and guidance on how to increase recycling and reduce <br />waste (and possibly costs too). Ramsey supports this work and will continue to explore opportunities to <br />educate and assist the commercial sector with waste reduction measures where feasible. <br />Access to Solar <br />In the mid-2010s, Ramsey amended its Zoning Code to permit both ground mounted and building mounted <br />solar arrays as an accessory use in any zoning district. This created the possibility for both the residential and <br />commercial/industrial sectors to lawfully install solar energy systems if they so desired. In 2017, Ramsey <br />City of Ramsey 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update <br />Natural Resources Plan <br />Page 14of19 <br />