Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 02/10/2025

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The City of Ramsey can comply with Chapter 115A of State Statutes by either providing recycling service via a contract or by migrating to an open hauling system. Both options have their pros and cons, which are generally laid out below. Organized Collection (Contracted Recycling Service) Organized collection of recycling, accomplished via a contracted service, oftentimes results in greater participation rates and greater volumes (tonnage) of material collected. Since one hauler would be serving the entire community, there are collection efficiencies realized that often result in a lower cost per household compared to an open hauling system. Organized collection typically means fewer trucks on residential streets (there are presently seven [7] licensed waste haulers in Ramsey, which, under an open hauling system, could result in seven [7] different recycling trucks coming down the same residential street. That would be in addition to garbage trucks, yard waste trucks, and organics collection trucks, which, per the latest Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Plan, by the year 2030, the option for curbside collection of organics must be available in cities with a population of 5,000 or more.). Fewer trucks on the road would mean less wear and tear on our streets, reduced truck emissions, and should improve safety (fewer potential accidents with fewer trucks). Administration of a contracted recycling service tends to be more efficient compared to open hauling, since there is a single hauler that Staff has to work with to obtain tonnage data needed for the semi-annual reporting to Anoka County. Similarly, education and marketing tends to be more efficient and more specific also. This is because different haulers may have slightly different standards and/or accept more or less materials than other haulers. On the other hand, organized collection has its cons as well. Coordination of upsizing or downsizing recycling carts (which can be requested by a resident at any time during the year) must go through the City rather than directly through the hauler. Also, requests for recycling carts to be delivered to a new construction home all have to come through City Staff. Any complaints related to the recycling service come through the City to be resolved rather than directly to the hauler (complaints/concerns have generally been scarce but can consume a lot of Staff time). Organized collection eliminates the option for residents to change haulers if they so desire, and it means that all households pay for recycling, even if they choose not to participate in the recycling program. Residents can choose not to recycle, but the monthly fee is still applicable. Open Hauling System In an open hauling system, the primary benefit is that residents have the freedom and ability to change haulers any time they so choose. A household will have a more direct relationship with their hauler as any questions and/or concerns they have would go directly to the hauler instead of to City Staff. This type of collection system tends to be more 'business friendly' to smaller haulers and/or a start-up hauling business. As with organized collection, an open hauling system also has its own cons. Open hauling typically results in more collection trucks on local streets. The potential disadvantages of this include increased street maintenance (by the city), more truck emissions, and increased traffic (which could lead to more safety concerns). In an open hauling system, monthly costs tend to be higher per household, as there are likely greater distances between service addresses. Promotion and education (by the city) tends to be more generalized, since different haulers may accept different materials and/or have different preparation requirements. Although not mandatory, many communities that operate under an open hauling system, tend to offer their residents a year-round recycling center. Presently, Ramsey does not have any such facility, nor does Ramsey have sufficient staffing for such a facility. Additionally, if the City were to move toward an open hauling system, various code amendments would likely be needed, such as specifying that any licensed hauler must offer recycling and that haulers cannot charge a household that recycles more than a household that does not recycle (State Statute 115A.93, Subd.3.c). Finally, should the City opt to move to an open hauling system, moving back toward an organized system would be more challenging after the statutory changes that were adopted by the legislature in 2013 (the process is outlined under IV. Solid Waste and Recycling Collection D. Procedural Requirements for Adopting Organized Collection under the second attachment to this case).