Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 05/20/2020

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5.02: Curbside Recycling Contract Status Update Deputy City Administrator Gladhill presented the staff report. He stated that the City is currently in the final year of a three-year contract with ACE Solid Waste for curbside collection of recyclable materials. The current contract will expire on December 31, 2020. Please note that this case and discussion focuses on the City's current organized curbside recycling contract. The current discussion does not contemplate extending the organized collection into solid waste disposal. The purpose of this case is to begin discussions on policy direction before the current contract expires. There are essentially three options that could be considered by the City: 1. Enter into negotiations with the current service provider to extend or renew the contract. 2. Prepare a Request for Proposals (RFP) for competitive bids for curbside collection for recyclables. 3. Migrate to an open hauling system that would not include management and oversight by the City, but would still involve licensing of haulers, reporting to Anoka County and education efforts. Chairperson Valentine asked what happens with the materials that are picked up. Deputy City Administrator Gladhill commented that the material is brought to the appropriate sorting facility and goes through the sorting process, then being exported to the appropriate site. Chairperson Valentine commented that the recycling market is in a time of change and a lot of the material ends up being combined with solid waste and ending in landfills. He stated that he would like additional information from staff in the future. Deputy City Administrator Gladhill confirmed that City Planner Anderson would have that additional information and could bring back those answers as recycling continues to be discussed in the future. Board Member Covart commented that she has experienced sorted recycling and single -sort and found that she recycled much more under the single -sort system. City Planner Anderson provided additional details on the current curbside hauling process for recycling noting that statute prohibits haulers from picking up recyclable materials and then landfilling them. He also noted that it is different if there is such significant contamination in a load of recyclables that it is rejected by a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). That is essentially deemed as garbage. Board Member Fetterley stated that she would not favor open hauling as that would increase the number of trucks on the street and could decrease participation. She stated that she would like to see the City negotiate the best rate, whether that be with ACE or another hauler. She commented that the current program is working well, and the City should attempt to keep that consistent. Board Member Moore echoed the comments of Board Member Fetterley. Deputy City Administrator Gladhill confirmed the consensus of the Board to continue to negotiate with ACE for organized curbside and/or also review rates from other vendors for similar service. Environmental Policy Board / March 16, 2020 Page 3 of 4