4.4. SR 03-17-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1.) The City of Elk River is proposing to add to our recycling program by the addition of separate recycling containers within our parks and downtown area. This would consist of adding additional barrels for either the separation (alternative A) or comingling (alternative B) of cans, plastic, and glass at all locations where trash is picked up. The reasoning for adding containers at every location is that otherwise the recyclables will end up in the trash. This is also an excellent tool for educational purposes within the county in many public places. All of the containers will be labeled for glass, plastic, and cans and everyone in these areas will recognize the program that is taking place, which in turn promotes recycling in other places. Each barrel will be labeled with a logo promoting the City of Elk River recycling in cooperation with Sherburne County (see attached sheet). 3.) The City of Elk River is experienced in organized collection with it's curbside and City building recycling. This will be no problem to have collected since the hauler with the City contract (Pretzels Sanitation) already picks up all of these items. 4.) Yes, the recycling stations will be picked up on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to start out with, until we get a better feeling for how much of each material will be generated at each site. If needed pickup will become more frequent and more containers will be added to keep this collection proficient. 5.) The project will involve the increase of recycling because at these locations there hasn't been the opportunity to do so before this. With the increase in separation or comingling of recyclable materials, less waste will be put into the trash resulting in lower volumes of garbage disposal. It is easy to identify which materials will be involved because they will be labeled directly on the container. The monthly and annual volumes are hard to estimate because of factors such as: time of year, difference in sites, and a project of this scale or magnitude has never been done. Reports will be submitted to the Sherburne County staff and Solid Waste Advisory Committee as progress occurs with the project. 7.) Please see the attached sheets labeled "alternative A" and "alternative B", showing the difference in costs between having the recyclables separated or having them comingled. There is a reduced cost in implementation with the comingling of the materials because less barrels are needed, but as you will notice the hauler cost is increased in this situation. I hope that these options are helpful in deciding which direction the City of Elk River can go with this project. Please don't base your decision on the difference in cost between the two alternatives, lets look at what is best in the long run from an economic as well as implementation standpoint.