Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 02/10/2025

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RELEVANT LINKS: Analysis of Waste Collection Service Arrangements, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, June 2009. Analysis of Waste Collection Service Arrangements, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, June 2009. The Benefits of Organized Collection, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Feb. 2012. Analysis of Waste Collection Service Arrangements, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, June 2009. C. Open collection versus organized collection: pros and cons 1. Open collection There are several frequently cited advantages of open collection: • Residents have more choice and are free to select a solid waste collector based on their preference. • There is a direct relationship between the solid waste collector and its customers. • There are minimal administrative costs for cities. • Smaller solid waste collectors are better able to enter the market in an open collection system by servicing a portion of city residents. In contrast, there are several frequently cited disadvantages of open collection: • Open collection generally results in a more expensive monthly cost for residents. • Multiple collectors mean more truck traffic and the resulting negative side effects, including the potential for added street maintenance costs, and increased vehicle noise and emissions, fuel consumption, and vehicle accidents. • There may be inconsistent charges for the same level of service in a city. • Cities have reduced ability to manage solid waste collection. 2. Organized collection There are several frequently cited advantages of organized collection: • The price paid by households in an organized collection system is generally lower per month for similar service levels than in an open collection system due to increased efficiencies from serving every household or business in the community or on a particular route. • Limiting the number of solid waste collectors allows cities to decrease the impacts of increased truck traffic, including the potential for added street maintenance costs, vehicle noise and emissions, fuel consumption, and vehicle accidents. • Cities have greater ability to manage solid waste collection and can establish service requirements. • Standardized service makes public education easier. • Cities' ability to seek requests for proposals on a regular basis helps lower costs. League of Minnesota Cities Information Memo: 5/6/2024 City Solid Waste Management Page 14