INFORMATION 06-06-2011INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM
V~~
TO: Mayor 8~ City Council
FROM: Ross Pomeroy, MN GreenCorps
Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator
DATE: June 6, 201 I
SUBJECT: Organics Recycling Summer Door-Knocking
The City of Elk River recently received a grant of $29,107 to boost enrollment in our
residential organics recycling program. The grant came from the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency and runs from February 21, 2011 through June 30, 2012.
In accordance with the grant, city personnel will go door-to-door to provide citizens with
pertinent information about organics recycling in the hopes that they will sign up for the
program.
City staff has attached the literature to be handed out during the door-knocking process.
C:\Users\jmiller\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.0udook\GWL3I79K\Door-knocking
memo.doc
Organics Recycling: Making it work for you
Organics recycling takes some set-up to
make it work effectively in your home.
We've compiled a list of recommenda-
tions and methods from Elk River citizens
currently recycling organics to help you
find what works best for your household.
Use separate bins. A common theme from almost all organics recyclers is the use of separate bins
for their organic material. These can be lined with paper, plastic or compostable bags. (Note that plastic
bags must be thrown into the trash.) You can expand this method and use separate labeled bins for trash
and normal recycling as well. This makes recycling very, very easy.
Use a single container for food waste. Your free kitchen bucket is perfect for this. You
might also use a large Tupperware or plastic container. This container can be placed under/near your
kitchen sink. Regularly empty it out in the organics cart to keep the smell to a minimum.
Utilize lists and labels. You can download a list to hang up in your house at www.ci.elk-
river.mn.us/recycling. The list is located at the bottom of the "Source Separated Organics" page. The list
will help you and your family know exactly what is and isn't compostable via organics recycling.
Line your Organics Cart. Line your 32 gallon organics cart with a large plastic or biodegradable
bag. This will keep your organics cart relatively clean. If you choose to line the cart with a plastic bag,
use tape to prevent the plastic bag from being emptied into the garbage truck.
s. Dump out liquids. Liquids are often the messiest of all organic materials. These can be poured
down your kitchen disposal.
Minnesota Pollution Elk Itiver~ ^-
Control Agency ERiver Municipal Utilities
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What is it? As many of you are aware, the City of Elk River offers
organics recycling (Source Separated Organics) in addition to its trash
service. Waste diverted into this 32 gallon weekly cart is composted
into usable soil in lieu of rotting in a landfill. This soil is used on road
projects, to reduce erosion, and to prevent water pollution.
Why do it? Students at Anoka-Ramsey Community College performed
a study and found that an average of 35% our waste is compostable
via organics recycling. Organics recycling reduces the size of our
landfills, provides a valuable resource, and it could save you money!
An easy choice. We make it easy to start recycling organics. As part
of our new grant we will give you a free organics cart, a free kitchen
bucket for compostable waste (while supplies last), and a $12 credit
on your bill covering the first 3 months of service, collectively a $88
value. All you have to do is call Elk River Utilities at 763-441-2020 and
ask to "downsize your garbage and add organics."
It pays to recycle. If you recycle organics plus at least four different
kinds of materials for at least six months, you get paid $40 each year
on your utility bill! Download and complete the rebate application
each year at www.ci.elk-river.mn.us/recycle.
We also incentivize organics monetarily. If you downsize your 90
gallon cart to a 60 gallon cart and add organics recycling, you pay
$17.25 a month versus $18.34!
It's up to you. Recycling organics may take a little getting-used to,
and it may not be for everyone. If you have any questions about
organics recycling, call the City of Elk River at 763-635-1000.
Nothing to lose. If you'd like to give this program a try and save a
little money in the process, simply call Elk River Utilities at 763-441-
2020 to get started!
Remember to downsize your garbage cart!
Organics Recycling is as easy as one, two, three. `
i. Collect your food scraps and food-soiled paper products
2. Empty your food scraps &food-soiled paper products into the organics cart provided by
Randy's Environmental Services.
3. Set out your organics cart to the curb.
Food Scraps:
• Fruits & vegetables
• Meat, fish & bones
• Bread, pasta & baked goods
• Egg shells
• Dairy products
• Coffee Grounds
Food-soiled paper products:
• Paper towels & napkins
• Paper plates & cups
• Milk & juice cartons
• Pizza boxes/Egg cartons
• Boxes from frozen & refrigerated foods
• Waxed paper & paper containers
• Coffee filters & tea bags
Other compostable items:
• Full vacuum cleaner bags
• Dryer lint
• Tissues & cotton balls
• Floral trimmings & house plants
What is not accepted?
• Styrofoam
• Plastics, glass or metal
• Plastic bags
• Foil-lined containers (juice boxes)
• Kitty litter & pet droppings
• Diapers & wipes
• Grass, leaves, and brush
~;
If you choose to use compostable
plastic bags, they are available
locally through Northbound and
Westbound Liquor stories and Elk
River Municipal Utilities or can be
ordered through Randy's
Sanitation.
c~~. -£
Minnesota Pollution ,Y Elk River .~
Control Agency ER1Ver Municipal Utilities
Organics Recycling Checklist
^ Sign up by Calling Elk River Municipal Utilities at 763-441-2020.
We will have the cart, the kitchen bucket, and a roll of compostable bags delivered
to your home.
^ 2. After you sign up, ask ERMU to downsize your garbage cart.
This offsets the $4.00 per month organics recycling charge. You will find that you
don't need the large garbage cart because organic waste comprises about 35% of
the average household's waste.
^ 3. Begin organics recycling at your home.
• We'll give you a free kitchen bucket to use for your food waste.
• Use different bins to separate the other compostable waste (dryer lint, non-
recyclable paper) or bring the small organics cart into your home to use directly.
• Optional compostable bags are available from ERMU and the liquor stores.
^ 4. Complete and return Elk River's $40 recycling rebate form.
You can drop by City Hall, the Public Library, or ERMU to pick up the form or you can
download it at www.elkriverutilities.com/pdfs/rebates/2011_rebate_app.pdf.
5. Tell your friends and neighbors to give organics recycling a try!
Encourage your friends to do something good for the environment and save them-
selves some money in the process.
~hankyou! 2~ou are now fully participating in organics recycling.
Minnesota Pollution Elk River'` ~`
Control Agency Ewer Municipal Utilities
June 2011
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S M T W T F S Jul 2011
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5:30 PM HRA 6:30 PM Park
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Wrkshp
Information
MEMORANDUM
ver
TO: City Council
FROM: Tina Allard, City Clerk
DATE: June 6, 201 I
SUBJECT: Volunteer Hours Provided by RSVP
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is America's largest volunteer network
for people age 55 and better. They are a national non-profit organization and the Greater St.
Cloud Area RSVP serves Stearns, Benton, and Sherburne Counties. Over 1,300 volunteers
serve this region at more than 225 partnering community agencies.
Attached are thank you posters which highlight how various divisions have been able to
utilize RSVP. These posters note the number of volunteers and hours provided, along with
the dollar value those volunteer hours equate to. These volunteer hours are valid for the year
2010.
N:\llepartmcnts\Administrati~~c Scmiccs\Administration\Voluntccr ticnices\RSVI' Contribution U)-ll.doc
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