6.5. SR 10-08-2012 Elk REQUEST FOR ACTION
River
TO ITEM NUMBER
Mayor and City Council 6.5
AGENDA SECTION MEETING DATE PREPARED BY
Work Session October 8, 2012 Rebecca Haug, Environmental
Administrator
ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED By
Recycling Rebate Program Tim Simon, Finance Director
REVIEWED BY
Cal Portner, City Administrator
ACTION REQUESTED
Review and discuss discontinuation of the Recycling Rebate Program.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On November 12, 2002, staff recommended that the Council offer a$15 recycling rebate to residents
effective January 1, 2003,with checks mailed to participants in January 2004. The purpose of the rebate
was to increase recycling in the community. The incentive did increase the amount of materials recycled.
To get the rebate,residents completed an application each year stating that they would recycle at least
four items throughout the year. The applications were available at city hall, the library, and through utility
bills.
This practice has continued since this time with a few changes. In 2005, the rebate amount increased to
$25. In 2009, the Council approved an additional$40 rebate for residents participating in the organics
and curbside recycling program along with the $25 to those who only participate in the curbside recycling
program.
Our current recycling rates have appeared to plateau. The switch to single-stream recycling should make
it easier for residents to recycle and an incentive should no longer be needed. Studies have shown that
the switch to single-stream recycling increases recycling rates. Staff proposes to utilize the funds to offset
future increases to the residential recycling program through the 10-year contract cycle. The new contract
increases the recycling rate in 2013 and in 2018.
The percentage of residents receiving the rebate averaged 7% of the 7,600 residents who are part of the
organized collection program. Using the funds to offset future costs would be a better use of the money
and benefit all residents versus the 7%who receive the rebate. The rebate amount averaged $13,000 per
year. The price for recycling will increase by approximately$20,000 in 2013 and then another$20,000 in
2018. By using the rebate money to cover the increased recycling rate,residents would not see an
increase in their recycling rate throughout this 10-year contract.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Since 2003, $159,075 has been spent on issuing recycling rebates.
Pv0WIAED 9i
N:APublic Bodies\City Council\Council RCA\Agenda Packet\10-08-2012\Recycling Rebate-oct 8.docx U RE
ATTACHMENTS
None
Action Motion by Second by Vote
Follow Up
N:\Public Bodies\City Council\Council RCA\Agenda Packet\10-0 8-2012\Recycling Rebate-oct 8.docx