5. OPEN FORUM HANDOUT 10-20-2014

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prompting more homebuilders to utilize recycled material in their home projects. Leadership roles for cities and townships includes consulting with contractors and ensuring that at least 25% of the structure will be erected using post - consumer recycled material. This program will also promote public awareness about recycling and inform the community about the benefits of re- using materials. Government officials who take advantage of this program can host tours and show other city and township officials that finding post - consumer recycled materials is not as hard as they may think. With over a hundred companies in Minnesota that incorporate post - consumer recycled material in their manufacturing, it would give these companies an opportunity to showcase their products. Whether it be a deck made out of recycled plastic pop bottles or reprocessed paint used to paint the interior of a structure, manufacturers could inform the public about their products at informational meetings and/or final tours of the public facility. It encourages local units of government to examine the benefits of being reimbursed while protecting the environment and reducing our need for landfills. A township which has an outdated town hall could improve their building by installing handicap ramps made out of a recycled wood /plastic mix or a City could build an eco- friendly library utilizing recycled glass for a brighter building that also cuts down on electricity costs. The Landfill Abatement Legacy Giant is a model for all cities and townships to consider when preparing comprehensive city /township plans and future development standards. Perhaps someday all new structures will be required to contain at least 25% post - consumer recycled materials during the construction process. Three of the sixteen municipalities in Sherburne County have been awarded grants thus far. Santiago and Big Lake Townships and the City of Elk River have kept close tabs on the construction process, with detailed lists of the post - consumer recycled materials being used in their buildings. Public hearings have been well attended and the public input has been wonderful. Sherburne County has started creating lists of manufacturers and construction companies that produce or utilize post - consumer recycled materials and this will allow future grantees a basis for getting started and carrying out their public improvements. Sherburne County is home to one of the state's largest landfills, the Elk River Landfill. As such, we see first -hand the increasing amount of waste being disposed of on a daily basis. Combined with the fact that Sherburne County is continuing to experience rapid growth and the need for larger and newer public facilities will only continue to rise, as well. Sherburne County was motivated to create a program to encourage cities and townships to incorporate post- consumer recycled materials in their public municipal buildings. The Sherburne County Landfill Legacy Grant is another example of Sherburne County's proactive use of landfill surcharge monies. In fact, Sherburne County, Elk River Landfill, and Elk River Municipal Utilities have partnered together in the construction and operation of landfill gas (methane) to energy facility. Sherburne County sees the Landfill Abatement Legacy Grant as another opportunity to further encourage landfill abatement thereby reducing our dependence on landfills. The Elk River Landfill, which is owned and operated by Waste Management, has been extremely supportive in all of Sherburne County's recycling and landfill abatement activities. 36