HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.d. Spring Cleanup / Recycling Update•. � ltr,Sfn.t��tJt1i
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TO: Mayor, Council, City Administrator
FROM: Dean Johnson, Director of Community Development !
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DATE: June 3, 1988
SUBJ: Spring Clean-up/Recycling Update
F.•ut)rI, i
This year's spring clean-up, held Saturday, May 21 at Knutson Rubbish Service, was
an overwhelming success. Local residents obviously responded by disposing of over
92 TUNS of trash, including an excess of 100 appliances and 50 tires (for a fee).
Recyclables collected and separated from disposal included the following:
Aluminum/steel
2 Tons
Batteries (26)
0.5 Tons
Newsprint
0.5 Tons
Glass
1.5 Tons
Cans
0.05 Tons
Brush
5 Tons
Grass
4 Tons
Drain Oil
314 Gallons
The folks at Knutson said everything went extremely well. They estimated checking
residency of about 80"7/0 of the participants, missing some at peak periods. No one
was turned away. it was estimated over 300 vehicles entered the premises, a few of
which were repeat customers.
This continues to be a popular event and terribly convenient -- to the residents and
the City (we did little more than announce the event). At the same time, the cost
continues to rise. While participation/tonnage nearly doubled last year's rate, this
year's cost more than doubled. The increased cost is.primarily a result of increased
tipping fees, which will continue to rise dramatically gver the next few years. Our
final bill is $9,680.21, compared to about $4,400 last year. This year's budget was
only $5,000. Unless we hear differently, we will at least double the budget for next
year.
We are gearing up for a presentation to the City Council on the recycling pilot
project at the June 21, 1988 meeting. We are still suggesting one specific area for
curbside collection, utilizing more than one container type for this area and
providing dropoff containers at several locations in the city outside of the curbside
collection area.
The purpose of the pilot project is to collect data on the rates of participation,
based on the types of containers and frequency or absence of curbside collection. it
is intended that the city and the county, as well as other cities, will learn what
types of containers, frequency of collection and locations for dropoffs result in the
greatest participation. We will also be comparing this data with that generated by
some private haulers. In (lie end, we should know what type of recycling program
best fits our needs and whether it should be privately or publicly operated.
Spring Clean-up/Recycling Update
June 3, 1988 •
Page Two
As a result of this ongoing project, we looked at our own "municipal" solid waste
generation and needs. It was obvious that a recycling program could and should be
initiated by the city for its own activities. We prepared a set of specifications to
create a visible recycling effort. We requested bids from Mendota Heights Rubbish,
our current hauler, and Knutson Rubbish.
As of June 1, Knutson Rubbish is servicing the city municipal buildings and all city
parks. We are now separating office paper, newsprint and cans at City Hall. Our
"trash" should be reduced by at least 50%. We will be recycling cans and office
paper at the fire hall. All city parks will have both recycling (cans) containers and
trash containers.
Knutson's bid was not only lower, it included the replacement of all dumpsters and
barrels with green "K -Karts". Knutson also furnished all of the labeling for "trash"
and "cans", etc. While we originally expected to pay a little more for the visible
effort at r4cycling, we could pay less or at least maintain current costs if
participation4'and cooperation in the effort occurs.
I think the visibility (and hopefully the success) of this activity will help create a
positive response to the pending recycling program. At least we will have set an
example right here at home.