HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnvironmental Quality Committee Packet 05-09-2018ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE
AGENDA
May 9, 2018
WHERE: MEDICINE LAKE ROOM
Plymouth City Hall
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55447
CONSENT AGENDA
All items listed on the consent agenda* are considered to be routine by the Environmental Quality
Coimnittee and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items
unless a Committee member, or citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from
the consent agenda and considered in non -nal sequence on theagenda.
1. 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER
2. 7:00 P.M. PUBLIC FORUM — Individuals may address the Committee about any item
not contained in the regular agenda. A maximum of 15 minutes is allotted for the Forum.
3. 7:20 P.M APPROVAL OF AGENDA - EQC members may add items to the agenda for
discussion purposes or staff direction only. The EQC will not normally take official action
on items added to the agenda.
4. 7:25 P.M. CONSENT AGENDA*
A.
5. 7:30 P.M. GENERAL BUSINESS
A. Organics Review (Asche)
6. REPORTS AND STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Drop Off Day
B. City Sampler
C. Recycling Contract
7. FUTURE MEETINGS:
May 22, 2018 — Organics discussion with Hennepin County
June 13, 2018 - EQC
• Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Public Meeting
• Solid Waste Annual Report
8. 8:00 P.M. ADJOURNMENT
Agenda Number
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE
AGENDA REPORT
DATE. May 2, 2018 for the EQC Meeting of May 9, 2018
TO: Environmental Quality Committee (EQC)
FROM Derek Asche, Water Resources Manager
SUBJECT: ORGANICS RECYCLING
ACTION REQUESTED: Review status of organics programming.
BACKGROUND: The City's residential recycling program is funded, in part, by the Select Committee on
Recycling and the Environment (SCORE) funds past from the State, through Hennepin County. SCORE
funds are based on revenue received by the State from the solid waste management tax on garbage
services and funding levels are determined by the Hennepin County Residential Recycling Funding Policy.
Hennepin County has determined that curbside collection of recyclable and organics from Hennepin
County residents is an effective strategyto reduce reliance on landfills, prevent pollution, conserve natural
resources and energy, improve public health, support the economy, reduce greenhouse gases, and to
achieve the County's goal of a 75% recycling rate by 2030.
At regularly scheduled meetings in May, June, August, September, and November of 2017, EQC reviewed
and discussed different aspects of organics collection including a presentation from an expert speaker,
collection options, items included in service, and cost of services. Direction to the EQC has included that
an organics program should be voluntary, all residents should not have to fund an organics program, there
should not be extra trucks on roads, and subsidies should be utilized if possible.
The EQC worked through a decision matrix which assists in organizing stakeholder concerns, constraints
to operating a program, decisions to be made, and ultimately recommended the following:
Implementing an organics recycling program beginning in 2018.
The program shall be voluntary for residents.
• Residents shall contract for organics collection through their trash hauler.
e Trash haulers can voluntarily offer organics collection and trash haulers have the freedom to
choose how to implement organics collection rather than making organics collection a condition
of the trash hauler license. The EQC recommends against additional trucks for this service.
• The EQC recommends the City provide promotion and education on organics collection.
Per the EQC recommendations staff has taken the following steps:
Staff has contacted trash haulers and advised them of the organics programming promotion by
the City.
O:\Utilities\Stone Sewer and Water ResourcesTriviromnental Quality Conunittee\Agenda Reports\2018\Organics Recycling 050918.docx
® Staff has established an organics recycling page on the City website and lists trash haulers who
provide organics collection by name.
e Staff has issued a news release on organics recycling.
® Staff has attended the City Sampler and has made presentations to over 10 local third grade
classes to which has included the benefits organics recycling.
• Staff has produced and distributed a utility bill insert promoting organics recycling.
e Ajoint City Council / EQC meeting has been set for May 22, 2018 with Hennepin County to discuss
organics recycling.
BUDGET IMPACT: There is no impact to the Solid Waste Budget to review the status of organics
programming.
Attachments:
Approved EQC Meeting Minutes from November 8, 2017
Decision Matrix
Hennepin County Recycling Progress Report—April 2017
O:\Utilities\Storm Sewer and Water Resources\Environmental Quality Committee\Agenda Reports\2018\Organics Recycling 050918.docx
ATTACHMENT 1
APPROVED Minutes
Environmental Quality Committee (EQC)
November 8, 2017
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Marky Williamson, Committee Members Paul Senne, Dick
Kobussen, Andy Polzin, Kathy Osborne, Marita Prokop, Clay Hoes
MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilmember Jim Prom
STAFF PRESENT: Water Resources Manager Derek Asche
1. Call to Order - 7:00 P.M.
2. Public Forum
Jun Lauer, a resident in the Association of Medicine Lake Area Citizens (AMLAC), gave an
update on the recent discovery of zebra mussels in the southeast portion of Medicine Lake. He said
that the DNR was contacted and is investigating the problem and the association was waiting for
information on their findings. Water Resources Manager Asche shared that the City, Three Rivers
Park District and the Bassett Creek Watershed District all have been notified of the situation and
were also waiting for information from the DNR. He said the DNR and Three Rivers inspected
several docks on the lake and were using that information to determine the extent of infestation
and what could be done about it. He expected the DNR's report to be announced very quickly.
Judy Leudke, resident at 17910 County Road 47, expressed concerns about drainage on her
property. She feels there has been an increasing amount of water on her property due to a new
housing development to the west. She is looking for assistance from the city and reached out to
the EQC. After listening to her concerns, the EQC explained that they are a standing committee
and have no jurisdiction in a situation like this. It was suggested that she attend the Planning
Commission meeting or the City Council public forum to address her concerns, and the EQC will
ask staff to keep the conunittee posted on how her situation will be addressed.
3. Approval of Agenda
Motion by Committee Member Osborne seconded by Committee Member Senne recommending
approval of the November 8, 2017 Environmental Quality Committee meeting agenda. With all
members voting in favor, the motion carried.
4. Consent Agenda
A. Approve September 13, 2017 EQC Meeting Minutes
B. Approve October 11, 2017 EQC Meeting Minutes
Committee member Kobussen pointed out that Water Resources Manager Asche was listed as an
absent Member in the September 13, 2017 minutes and his name should be listed under Staff.
Motion by Committee Member Kobussen, seconded by Committee Member Hoes recommending
approval of the Consent Agenda as amended. With all members voting in favor, the motion
cairied.
Environmental Quality Committee Minutes
November 8, 2017
Page 2
5. General Business
A. Approve Organics Recycling Framework
Water Resources Manager Asche gave an overview of the staff report of the EQC's
recommendation of an organics recycling program to the City Council. The EQC discussed the
bullet points in the reconunendation and made suggestions to amend them.
• The EQC recommends implementing an organics recycling program beginning in 2018.
• The EQC recommends the program be voluntary for residents.
• The EQC recommends residents contract for organics collection through their trash hauler.
• The EQC recommends trash haulers voluntarily offer organics collection and that trash
haulers have the freedom to choose how to implement organics collection rather than make
organics collection a condition of the trash hauler license through the City. The EQC
recommends against additional trucks for this service.
• The EQC recommends funding education, outreach, and promotions. The EQC
recommends extra funding be credited to residential organics customers/participants.
• The EQC recommends annually reviewing the progress of the organics recycling program,
in particular information on truck usage for organics collection
Motion by Committee Member Osborne, seconded by Committee Member Polzin recommending
approval of the bullet points as amended. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Water Resources Manager Asche will put the EQC's recommendation of an organics recycling
program in the City Council Information Memorandum for the City Council to review.
B. Approve 2017 Annual Report and 2018 Work Plan
Water Resources Manager Asche presented the second draft of the 2017Annual Report and 2018
Work Plan. Chair Williamson suggested adding an update of the Organics Recycling Program
later in 2018 in addition to the update in the 2017 Solid Waste Annual Report that is presented in
the spring of 2018. Asche added it to the November meeting.
Motion by Committee Member Hoes, seconded by Committee Member Kobussen recommending,
approval of the 2017 Annual Report and 2018 Work Plan. With all members voting in favor, the
motion carried.
6. Reports and Staff Recommendations
7. Future Meetings - January 10, 2018
8. Adjournment
Environmental Quality Connnittee adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
ATTACHMENT 2
N
L
L
N
U
O
U
Stakeholders
Residents
Council
Waste Haulers
Hennepin Co.
City Staff
Cost/Benefit
Residence Acceptance
..........
Volume (# of households)
State SCORE Funding
SCORE Funding
._.....................................................................
Convenience
Cost/Benefit...................._..._...............................
Com.pitition............. .................
Measuring/Monitoring...................................
Subsidized....................................................................................
..............
Environmental benefit
Staff Time
Cost/Benefit
,........................................................
75% Recycling Rate
......_..............................................................
Extra Trucks
............................................... _......................................
..............
... ......... .
.........................................................._...-...................................................................�,.�...................
Choice
Subsidized
Carts
....-................................................................................-.._..-.__�.__
Material for HERC
--,___..................-................................................................................................_....
Education
...........
... _....... .
....____..--...................................................._._.................................................__..
Availability of compost
No extra Trucks
Responsibility for Education
Administration
....................................................................................................................................................
Sanitation (smell)
.._.._ ...... .....................................................................................................................................__.
Pick Up on Same Day
,........ ,.............. .............................................................
Profitability
._........ .Y._ ............. _........................................ ........
_
.................................................................................................
............. ..... -..................... ........ ...
Resident Acceptance
_...I..
.............
..............
-
Pick Up on Same Day _
...............-.
Another cart ......................--._.
Blue Bags -
.......................
Environment Landfills
Frequency(weekly?)..................
............................................................._...
Marketing/Reuse............................................................................................._.....
..............................
Measuring/Monitoring....................
.,.....-................
What about Yard Waste
Kitchen Containers
Expectations of benefits
......................... .................................. _...............
Storage for bagsTruck
............................................................. .a..........
................. ................................................................... _
compartment for Org.
.............................................................. ...................... ...............
............................ ._...................................... ...............
.... ..........
............................................. .............. ................
Countertop storage
........... ................._.
..................... ......._................................................................ .
._......................................................................
.............. ...... .......... ....................................
Measuring/Monitoring ....................................................................................
..... -.............................................................................................
................................ ......... .._.............. ,... ...............
................................................................................_..............................
.............
Another cart
Type of Service (Opt In/Out)
....... _.,....,......_..............................................
More Organization
.................................................................................................
........ _,_.......................................................................
Decisions to Make in this Effort
Participation
Container Type
Pick Up Frequency
Billing Method
# of Vendors
Education
Voluntary
Compost Bin in Yard
Daily (Drop Off Site)
None (Drop OffNone
Site(s)) - City Funds
Organized
Vendor
Opt In
Blue Bag
Weekly
Vendor(s) Bill
Single
County
Opt Out
Kitchen Container
Bi -weekly
Utility Bill
Limited (Quadrants)
Vendor/City
Drop Off Site
Cart
Consortium
City
I
Unlimited
All In
Attachment 3
Derision Matrix - Mild to Wild
Collection Method
Separation
None
None
Unorganized
Blue Bag
Ca rt
Drop Off
Organized
ATTACHMENT 3
HENNEPIN
COUNTY
MINNESOTA
AQ Ice, tLT
k
dc
Contents
Introduction.............................................................................. 4
Planning and progress toward goals ...................................................... 5
Insights from the waste sort study ........................................................ 8
Residential recycling and organics........................................................ 9
Business recycling and organics .................................... . ..................... 11
Other recycling initiatives ................ . . . . . . . . ..................... . .. . ............... 13
Waste reduction and reuse..............................................................15
Household hazardous waste ...................................................... . . . . . .. 17
Education and outreach.................................................................18
7016 RLCYCLING PROGRLSS RLPORI 3
The Recycling Progress Report
provides an update on progress made
to implement Hennepin County's
Solid Waste Management Master Plan.
The Master Pian is intended to guide
waste management in the county
through 2030. The plan was adopted
by the Hennepin County Board of
Commissioners in April 2012.
4 1 iD16 RFrYrI II,IG PP,OGRFSS RFPOP,-f
The county is a national and regional
leader in environmental protection,
and the Master Plan was developed
with the goal of maintaining and
strengthening the county's leadership
in waste management. Learn more
about the Master Plan at
www.hennepin.us/solidwasteplanning.
`I/
J
This report provides an update
on the county's planning process
and progress toward waste diversion
goals, highlights from the recent
waste soot study, and a summary of
the 2016 results for the county's waste
management programs.
Planning and progress toward goals
In 2011, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) approved a new solid waste management policy plan and
established waste management goals for 2015. The MPCA is now in the process of revising the policy plan to set
objectives for 2020 and establish a framework for meeting the statutory goal to recycle 75 percent by 2030.
Metropolitan counties must prepare master plans to implement the objectives in the policy plan. In 2017, Hennepin
County will develop a solid waste master plan and participate in the development of a regional master plan.
Together these plans will provide statewide, regional, and county -specific strategies to meet 2020 goals and lay the
foundation for achieving a long-term vision. As a part of the master plan process, the county will gather feedback from
stakeholders in an extensive public engagement process.
Waste management in Hennepin County
2010
4%
2016
Organics Tara waste
Recycling 7%
3%
The county has made steady progress toward state goals. In 2016, the county diverted 82 percent of waste from
landfills, a rate on par with national Ieaders.The county included yard waste for the first time to be consistent with
reporting methods in other metro counties. The MPCA determined that it is appropriate for documented yard waste
to be counted as part of the county's organics fraction, provided that it is also counted as part of the total waste
generated.
Hennepin County's ability to meet its
recycling goals is impacted by trends in
the waste management and recycling
industries. The evolving ton is a trend
characterized by the increasing prevalence
of plastic in the waste stream, the decrease
of paper as digital media replaces print,
and innovations that have made all types
of packaging lighter. These changes mean
that there are less recyclables per ton of
waste generated. People and businesses
need to recycle more just to maintain
existing recycling rates. The good news
is that there are clear opportunities to
improve. And metrics such as landfill
abatement and waste generation per
capita show that progress is possible.
�0�5 RKl'_LI�iG FP,OGR�S� REPORT 5
Waste generation
Hennepin County's goal is to reduce waste by 6 percent
by 2030. Waste reduction and reuse programs focus
on preventing the creation of waste in the first place
and encouraging reuse. Reuse actions include renting,
borrowing, repairing, buying used, donating usable
goods, consigning, exchanging, trading, or giving an item
away. Waste reduction and reuse have many benefits,
including preventing pollution, saving energy, promoting
sustainable living, avoiding disposal, and using materials
to their fullest extent.
Historically, a stronger economy and increases in
employment have been correlated with more waste
generation. Recently, waste generation - both overall and
per capita - has remained flat or slightly decreased as the
economy improves, which is a positive trend.
About 1.4 million tons of solid waste was generated in
Hennepin County in 2016, which is nearly the same as
last year. Waste generation per capita in the county has
decreased by 20 percent since 2007, which is a much
greater decrease than the national reduction of about
4 percent since 2007.
Resource recovery
There are two options for managing waste that remains
after recycling and organics recycling: burning it to
generate energy or burying it in a landfill. Processing
waste to generate energy is environmentally preferable
to landfilling and provides the opportunity to recover
metal for recycling. In 2016, 460,000 tons of waste
generated in Hennepin County were processed at the
Hennepin Energy Recovery Center, Great River Energy,
and Newport,
6 i 2016 RLCYCLING PROGRIL.SS REPORT
Waste generation in Hennepin County
Pounds per capita
3000
2900
2800
2700
2600
2500
2400
2300
2200
2100
2000
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
6� 1
Recycling
Recycling remained steady at 41 percent in 2016.
Progress has been gradual because of several trends:
newspaper in the waste stream has declined rapidly,
packaging materials have gotten lighter, there is
increasingly more non -recyclable plastic in the waste
stream, and current market conditions for recycling are
challenging. In other words, there are less recyclables by
weight per ton of waste generated, so better and more
recycling is required to maintain the same recycling rate.
so%
46%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Recycling irate over the years
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Organics recycling
Organics recycling remained at 3 percent in 2016 with an
increase of about 4,000 tons of material recycled.
Two opposing trends underlie the overall results:
composting continues to increase and food -to -animals
continues to decrease. Although organics recycling is
often associated with one recycling option —
composting — more than 50 percent of the organics
collected in Hennepin County in 2016 were diverted
to food -to -animals programs, which involve diverting
food waste to hog farmers or animal -feed processors.
The organics recycling rate has remained steady because
increases in composting have been offset by decreases in
food -to -animals.
Organics recycling rate over the years
64:
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
The tons of organics collected for composting increased
by 22 percent in 2016.This increase reflects the impact
of the county's business recycling grants program and
improvements in residential organics, including the roll
out of the Minneapolis organics recycling program. The
opposite trend has been observed in food -to -animals
programs, with the amount of materials collected
declining by almost 40 percent since 2010 because of
changes in materials accepted at processing facilities.
Changes in how organics recycling has
beein managed
2010
Compost
22%
Food -to -animal feed
Food -to -hogs .
32%
i
r
2016
Food -to -animal Feed
22%
-npost
17%
201 f5RFCYCLJidG PROGRESS REPORI 7
nsights from the waste sort study
Hennepin County conducted a waste study in May 2016 to figure out what is in our trash and identify the best
opportunities to reduce waste and increase recycling. The study found that there are some easy things everyone can
do to reduce their trash.
Top 10 most common materials found in the trash
Food waste 19.0°/%
Very small items (< 1/2) 6.3%
Compostable paper 5.7%
Diapers & hygiene products 4.9%
Pet waste 4.9%
Treated wood, plywood 4.3%
Yard waste 4.2%
Non -recyclable plastic film 3.3%
Non -recyclable paper - 3.0%
Non -recyclable durable plastic - 2.7%
0% 2% 4% 6%
Recycle organic waste
A';
Recycling organic
materials, which include
food and compostable
paper, is the biggest
opportunity to reduce
our trash. Organics make
up about one-quarter of
our trash, and not many
people are participating
in organics recycling
programs yet.
8 � 201( RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT
8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18% 20%
Prevent food waste
Food waste is the most prevalent material in the trash
by far, representing 19 percent of the trash by weight.
Steps you can take to reduce food waste include using
up all of the food that you buy, practicing meal planning,
understanding the date labels on food, and properly
storing your food. Learn more at savethefood.com.
Recycle more paper and cardboard
Overall, we're doing a pretty good job with recycling,
but there are opportunities to improve. The study found
that we could be recycling more paper and cardboard.
Remember that mail, office and school papers, magazine
and catalogs, newspapers, cardboard boxes, cereal and
cracker boxes, shoe boxes, and boxes from toiletries are
all recyclable. Get a complete list of what's accepted for
recycling at hennepin.us/recycling.
Use drop-off options for materials that cannot
be recycled at home
There are several options to recycle materials that are not
accepted in curbside recycling programs. Find options at
hennepin.us/greendisposalguide.
1. Clothing can be brought to donation centers for reuse
and recycling.
2. Plastic bags and film can be recycled at many grocery
and retail stores.
3. There are drop-off options to recycle electronics,
mattresses and scrap metal.
Prevent waste
Although there's plenty we can do to recycle more, the
study found that there's still a lot of trash in the trash.
Several materials in the top 10 list of items in the trash
don't have good reuse or recycling markets. This includes
diapers, pet waste, non -recyclable plastic and paper,
home improvement waste, and small items (those that
are less than half an inch in size).
Reducing the amount of waste generated in the first
place is the most impactful waste management practice,
and there are many things we can do to prevent waste.
As consumers, we all play a role in how the goods
and services we buy impact the environment. We can
collectively have an impact by considering what we are
buying, making purchases that support the environment,
and providing feedback to businesses about the
importance of sustainability.
Learn more
Learn more about waste management in the county and
what you can do at hennepin.us/solidwasteplanning,
Residential recycling and organics
Residential recycling
Although trends in the waste industry indicate that
residential recycling, which is measured in pounds
per household per year, should be decreasing, the
amount of materials recycled actually increased slightly
in 2015. Waste industry trends that impact residential
recycling include the decrease in waste generation
per capita, changes in the material mix of the waste
stream, reduction in the weight of packaging materials
and increased contamination in recycling.To offset
these trends, people need to recycle more materials to
maintain the recycling rate.
The last big increase in residential recycling occurred
when programs, including the City of Minneapolis,
switched to single -sort recycling in 2013. Performance of
residential recycling has since leveled off.
To support residential recycling programs, the county
continues to partner with cities to distribute recycling
guides and other messages about recycling.The county
also continues to monitor and adapt educational
messages and materials to changing industry trends,
such as the perception that recycling is too expensive
and the increased focused on quality over quantity.
2016 results
Assisted cities with promotional efforts and
sending recycling guides to all residents. Cities
used county terminology and images and provided
recycling messages through a variety of channels
including direct mail, newsletters, website, social
media, and city events.The county also distributed
residential recycling labels and factsheets on various
environmental topics.
Provided technical assistance to cities on recycling
RFPs and contracts. City recycling contracts allow
cities to communicate consistent educational
messages, provide a variety of resources, and deliver
the best overall price for service. Of the 44 cities in the
county, 42 contract for recycling service. Bloomington
implemented organized collection process in October
2016,
160000 I�
120000
80000
40000
0
totai cons 2010
Residential recycling performance
— Total tons
2011 2012
Pounds per household
600
450
300
ISO
.0
per
2013 2014 2015 2016 houhousseholdehold
2016 RCC1'CLINIG PROGRESS P1 POR 1 9
Residential organics recycling
Residential organics recycling, which involves collecting
and recycling food scraps and non -recyclable paper into
compost, increased by 181 percent in 2016.
This increase was due to Minneapolis completing the
roll out of its curbside organics recycling program in June
2016. All of the city's solid waste and recycling service
customers can sign up to participate at no additional
cost, and about 42,000 households have signed up to
participate,
Although 100 percent of single-family households have
recycling service, only about 11 percent have organics
recycling service. That percentage will increase as new
programs are implemented and cities increase promotion
of existing programs.
4000 ,
3600
3200
2800
2400
2000
1600
1200
800
400
n
Residential organics
Tons collected
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2015.
10 1 2016 RFC'rC4ING PROGRF)� RFPOP,T
2016 results
Nearly 46,000 households participated in curbside
'
organics recycling programs throughout the county.
• Provided $315,000 in SCORE funding to 11 cities
City
Households
Participation
for the purpose of increasing organics diversion..
participating
rate
Cities intend to use the funding in a variety of ways,
Minneapolis
42,058
40%
including to promote their programs, increase
St. Louis Park
1,341
15%
educational efforts, offset the cost of service, and
Minnetonka
592
4%
provide supplies such as compostable bags and
Wayzata
369
299'0
kitchen pails to participants.
Medina
328
17%
Minneapolis, Wayzata, and Medina led the way in
St. Bonifacius
78
9%
percentage of households participating by spreading
Orono
72
2%
the cost of organics to all households with other
waste services so that households opt in to organics
Shorewood
47
235
at no additional cost.
Maple Plain
39
5%
Minneapolis organics collection increased by
Medicine Lake
35
21%
2,500 tons in 2016. Minneapolis accounts for almost
Loretto
16
6%
90 percent of the total residential organics collected.
Totals
45,475
31%
352,000: households in Hennepin County
with residential recycling service
45,475: household in Hennepin County
with residential organics recycling service
Residential organics
Household participation rate
"ouseholds
>rganics
ig service
Business recycling and organics recycling
A little more than half of the waste in the county is
generated by businesses and organizations, and as of
January 1, 2016, most commercial buildings in the county
were required to recycle understate law.
Hennepin County has provided $1.5 million in grants
since fall 2013 as well as technical assistance and
education materials to businesses and non-profit
organizations as an incentive to implement and improve
recycling and organics recycling efforts. Businesses who
have received grants have successfully increased the
amount of materials they divert from the trash.
In addition to offering grants and technical assistance, the
county began recognizing businesses and organizations
for their efforts to recycle and divert organic waste from
the trash through the Hennepin County Environmental
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
a
tons
Partners program in 2014. County staff provide onsite
assistance to potential partners to ensure they are using
best management practices for their recycling and
organics recycling programs. Participating businesses
receive decals and other outreach materials and are
listed in an online directory on the Hennepin County
website. The program helps businesses communicate to
their customers that they care about the environment,
and the online directory provides residents a way to find
and support businesses that are taking action to protect
the environment. The county will continue to track the
recycling results of organizations that receive grants
while the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
has assumed responsibility for measuring overall
commercial recycling.
Tons recycled pre vs. post grant
Total for all business recycling grantees that have reported data
Pre -grant ® Post -grant
PP Pre -grant a Post -grant
Recycling Organics recycling
On average, businesses
receiving recycling grants
increase their waste
diversion from 42 percent
to 54 percent.
Business recycling success stories
Sun Country Airlines used a Business Recycling Grant to start
organics recycling in their office buildings and aircrafts. The grant
also provided bins to improve regular recycling. On domestic flights,
attendants separate recyclables, trash and now compostables
(primarily food waste from meals, compostable cups and coffee
grounds) into color -coded bags. The project exposes organics
recycling to thousands of Sun Country employees and countless
airline passengers, adding to the overall organics recycling program
at Metropolitan Airports Commission that was initiated in 2010
with Hennepin County incentive funds.
Park Tavern in St. Louis Park reduced their waste by replacing single --
use cups (left) and switching to washable cups (right) through
assistance from a Business Recycling Grant. They also started
organics recycling to divert food and other compostable waste
from the trash for composting instead.
2016 RLCI(LING PROGRL RI Pr)R: Ill
Location of Hennepin County Environmental Partners
2016 results Environmental Partners
Awarded $475,600 to 52 organizations. The demand Organizafion Type Rotas
Aparment ot.ilding, tcwntousa orccndo
for the grants was high with all grant funding ■ chile Cara Chemphm
distributed after two funding rounds.
■ cong rgatinr [t an•ve
Consulted with 71 businesses who did not receive ■ Fntert7inmP.rtoraxeirdse-
recycling grants to offer advice and assistance with ,., C;rnrery store or iarm=r, markai
their recycling programs. ca=rar Maple Brcce km
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Distributed 18,651 signs and stickers to label IN Mcdic2l services ru ■
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recycling, organics recycling and trash containers. ■ VILIti-tenantcomnercia property ter
Assisted 162 businesses along Lake Street in .0 tlonlaroft oncLman services nfrpen rt'nre � � ry.ar
implementing or improving recycling programs ■ Ornca tt•dms ` Roe
through a partnership with the Lake Street Council to ■ Other ■airy°°t'' L E s
target the Latino businesses community. IN Restaurant coffee shop or caierer rim. ffd •'
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12 1 2016 RECYCLING, PROGRESS RFPOPI
Other recycling initiatives
School recycling
The county has provided assistance and grants to
schools for recycling and organics recycling since 2002.
More than 160 of the 350 schools in the county collect
organics for cornposting. School staff and students are
educated on waste reduction and recycling through
presentations, free recycling signage, and bi-monthly
school recycling meetings,
2016 results
Awarded more than $182,000 in grants to 28 schools
to improve recycling or start organics recycling
programs.
Presented lessons on recycling and organics recycling
to 2,450 students in 73 classrooms,
In partnership with the Mulch Store, delivered
300 cubic yards of free compost to 45 schools
that collect: organics to close the loop.
Multifamily recycling
A variety of resources, educational materials and staff
assistance are available to help property managers
educate residents on what is recyclable and improve
recycling rates at multifamily properties. The county is
also focusing on increasing reuse by piloting a program
that has local reuse retailers collecting reusable materials
from residents on-site at multifamily complexes,
2016 results
• Provided assistance to improve recycling to more
than 13,000 multifamily units in 68 properties.
Continued the bulky waste reuse program to collect
reusable material during move in and move out
times at nine complexes, diverting more than 12,500
pounds of material for reuse since the program began
in 2015.
Held four school recycling meetings during the
school year for staff and volunteers to learn about
waste management best practices, such as food Multifamily outreach program
donation. Meetings include presentations from school
recycling grant recipients as well as guest speakers. Number of units served
16000
14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
2011 2012 2013 2014
1 � i
2015 2016
58,000 multifamily units at 360
properties have received assistance from
the county since 2011.
Public space recycling
To help make recycling more widely available, Hennepin
County provides grants to public entities to start or
improve recycling programs in public spaces such as
parks, recreation centers and business districts. The
county also has portable recycling containers available
for event organizers to borrow at no cost to add recycling
and organics recycling at events.
2016 results
1200000
1000000
800000
600000
400000
200000
4
Awarded eight grants totaling $97,700 to cities and
park districts for eight projects to improve recycling
in parks and along business districts. Grants will add
more than 270 recycling containers in public spaces.
Loaned recycling containers to 85 events with a total
attendance of more than 1 million people. Organics
were collected at 85 percent of those events.
Use of portable recycling units
■ Number of events borrowing containers
— FatimatPri tnral ni imhar of atranrlaPa
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
100
90
80
70
60
s0
46
3D
20
10
C
2016 RLCYCLING PROGRLS'� R MR` 1 13
Master Recycler/Composter volunteers
Master Recycler/Composter volunteers learn about waste
prevention, recycling and composting from industry
experts and tours of waste processing facilities during
a six-week course. They then commit to volunteering
30 hours inspiring others in their communities to reduce
waste, recycle more and compost through activities such
as answering questions at events and designing and
implementing waste reduction and recycling projects.
2016 results
• Trained an additional 58 Master Recycler/Composter
volunteers.
14 1 2016 RECYCLINIG PROGRESS REPORT
445: Master Recycle r/Composters trained
to date
6,289: Volunteer hours contributed
Backyard composting
In order to increase backyard composting, Hennepin
County Environment and Energy partners with Hennepin
County Sentencing to Service to build compost bins from
cedar and wire mesh.
2016 results
Sold 305 compost bins at five community events
and at the drop-off facility in Brooklyn Park, where
compost bins are available year-round.
Waste reduction and reuse
Hennepin County offers programs like the annual
Choose to Reuse campaign and monthly Fix -It Clinics
to encourage waste reduction and reuse. To reach its
waste reduction goals, the county also plans to target
specific materials that represented the largest percentage
of reusable goods found in the trash in the Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency's 2013 Statewide Waste
Characterization Study.
Materials to target for waste reduction
and reuse:
Food waste
Wood
Textiles and leather
Furniture and household goods
Choose to Reuse
Hennepin County encourages residents to support local
reuse, rental, and repair retailers through the Choose to
Reuse program, which includes the online Choose to
Reuse Directory and annual coupon book,
2016 results
About 36,100 coupons were redeemed during the
Choose to Reuse campaign. The 2016 Choose to
Reuse campaign included 58 participating retailers
at 86 retail locations.
The Choose to Reuse campaign focused on personal reuse testimonials and was promoted through transit online and social media ads.
Fix -it Clinics
Fix -It Clinics provide residents the opportunity to get
free, guided assistance from volunteers with repair skills
on disassembling, troubleshooting and fixing their
broken household items, including appliances, clothing,
electronics, mobile devices and more. Fix -It Clinics teach
valuable repair skills, build community connections and
reduce the number of repairable objects that are thrown
in the trash.
2016 results
Held monthly Fix -It Clinics with an average
attendance of more than 50 people per clinic.
Repaired 1,091 items - 79 percent of the items
brought In -- keeping 6,394 pounds of material
out of the trash,
Fix -it Clinic results to date (since 2013)
51 Clinics
3505 items fixed
79% of items fixed
5,760 hours volunteered
2015 RLCYCLING PROGRL , R' -PORI 1 15
Food waste reduction
To address food waste, which is about 20 percent of
household trash, the county is developing outreach
efforts to focus on some of the common reasons that
food waste is generated in homes.This includes people
misunderstanding expiration, best buy and sell by dates,
and not being familiar with food preservation techniques
such as proper storage and freezing.
Bulky item reuise and repair
Bulky items, such as furniture and other household
goods, can be difficult to reuse or dispose. Although
reuse retailers will take some furniture, the materials
accepted are limited to certain items and conditions.
Additionally, many people have limited ability to
transport bulky items they no longer want to drop-off
sites that will take them. So the materials often end up
at the curb, and items that would have been reusable
quickly become trash as they are exposed to the
elements.
2016 results
Promoted reuse and repair of bulky items through
factsheets and the online Choose to Reuse Directory
Worked with multifamily properties and the University
of Minnesota to collect reusable material during move
in and move out times.
16 12016 P,1__CYCI IMG PROGRFS . RF PORT
Zero Waste Challenge
The Zero Waste Challenge launched in September 2016
with the enrollment of 50 households in a year-long
waste reduction challenge. Participating households
agreed to weigh and report their waste weekly, attend
at least 3 waste reduction workshops on a variety of
topics, and adopt new low waste behaviors. In return,
each household has a staff liaison that works closely with
them to identify areas for waste reduction and diversion
and they receive a $350 stipend. Results will be available
in August.
Deconstruction and building materials
reuse
About 70 percent of construction and demolition waste
ends up in landfills. Although some materials, including
concrete, asphalt and steel, are separated for recycling at
construction and demolition waste transfer stations and
landfills, many additional materials have the potential to
be reused or recycled.
2016 results
Contracted with Better Futures Minnesota to
deconstruct 8 homes, diverting 55.5 tons of
materials to reuse and 848 tons to recycling.
On average, 86 percent of the building materials
were diverted from landfills.
Completed an evaluation of deconstruction best
management practices and costs, conducted with the
University of Minnesota.
r� � �.ON* OWE
Household hazardous waste
To ensure proper disposal of hazardous items, the
county operates two permanent drop-off facilities in
Bloomington and Brooklyn Park where residents can
get rid of electronics, appliances and household
hazardous wastes. To provide more convenient local
disposal options, the county also offers collection
events at various sites throughout the county.
Additionally, the county collects household batteries
at libraries and community centers and provides disposal
of medicines at drop boxes and collection events at
senior living facilities.
2016 results
Drop-off facilities and events
Served more than 126,000 residents and collected
more than 3,500 tons of household hazardous waste
and problem materials at county drop-off facilities,
• Served almost 5,800 residents and collected 128 tons
of household hazardous waste at five community
collection events held in Minneapolis, Minnetonka,.
Shorewood and St. Louis Park.
Electronics
Collected almost 2.9 million pounds of electronic
waste.
Generated nearly $337,633 in revenue by initiating
a $10 recycling fee for computers, laptops and
televisions to support the county's efforts to
responsibly recycle electronic waste.
Pharmaceuticals
• Collected nearly 23,500 pounds of medicines, an
increase of 3,500 pounds compared to 2015.
Held 33 medicine collection events at senior living
facilities, collecting 527 pounds of medicines.
Paint
PaintCare partnered with local hardware stores to
increase the availability of disposal options for paint.
• Hennepin County received $663,000 dollars from
PaintCare for costs related to paint disposal in 2016,
2nm RFcyci iPJG PRncPF4� RI -POR' 1 17
Education and outreach
Hennepin County promotes environmental stewardship
by raising awareness about changes in recycling
programs, generating excitement about waste reduction
and partnering with organizations in the community to
motivate behavior change.
Recycle Everywhere campaign
The fifth year of the county's recycling campaign
encouraged residents to recycle in every room of their
house and offered tips on recycling more from the
bathroom, laundry room and home office.The $125,000
advertising campaign was promoted July through
August through cable and broadcast television, digital
billboards and online marketing.
2016 results
Received 39.9 million consumer impressions and
15,000 visits to the web page.
• Filled 467 orders of 27,000 recycling guides, labels,
bags and other educational materials for residents.
Nearly one-third of residents who placed orders
indicated they were going to give some of the
resources to family or friends,
18 1 2016 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT
r
Green Partners
Through the Green Partners Environmental Education
program, Hennepin County provides funding, activities
supplies, field trip transportation and project support to
organizations that empower residents to reduce waste
and increase recycling.
2016 results
Partnered with 84 community groups to provide
environmental education by providing grants,
supplies and field trip transportation. These projects
engaged more than 33,000 people. Many of these
partner organizations reach underserved populations,
including youth, seniors, multicultural residents and
low-income individuals.
Hosted networking meetings to showcase the
county's educational resources and the department's
services. These meetings were attended by
community members representing 42 organizations.
Updated the county's environmental education
activity guides and learning trunks based on feedback
gathered from partners
Of the 125 Green Partners grants
awarded since 2012:
82 projects have primarily engaged
youth audiences
91 projects have reached
underserved audiences
Outreach and communication efforts
Outreach efforts engage our community and partners
in developing the knowledge, skills, attitudes and
motivation to work individually and collectively towards
sustaining a healthy environment.
2016 results
Reached more than 3,250 residents at 66 community
events where the county conducted outreach or
staffed an educational table.
Provided 68 tours of the Hennepin County Drop-
off Facility in Brooklyn Park or the Hennepin Energy
Recovery Center to more than 1,800 participants.
Promoted the Green Disposal Guide, an online guide
to help residents find information on the best way to
recycle, reuse or dispose of household items, which
received 73,400 unique web views.
Provided multicultural communications by translating
pieces of literature into languages including
Cambodian, Hmong, Lao, Somali, Russian, Spanish,
Thai and Vietnamese.
Provided NatureFest,an environmental education
field day for more than 400 fifth graders from five
schools at the Three Rivers Park District's Coon Rapids
Dam Regional Park. During the field trip, students
determine the health of the river, caught insects in
sweep nets, and decorated reusable water bottles
with their pledge to protect the environment,
Received feedback from more than 150 partners
about the future of environmental education for
youth through a series of conversations and an online
survey.
Youth learn how to sort waste and dispose of hazardous items
during a tour at the Brooklyn Park Drop-off Facility.
Lao Assistance Center, a Green Partners grantee, trained recycling
ambassadors.
2oir, RI CYCLiNIC, PROCRrS� R POR' 1 19
Hennepin County
Environment and Energy
hennepin.us
environment@hennepin.us
612-348-3777 !i