5.2. SR 10-17-2005
Item 5.2.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Rebecca Haug, Environmental Technician
DATE: October 17, 2005
SUBJECT: Household Hazardous Waste Facility/Reuse Center at the Elk
River Landfill
Staff is looking for support from the City Council to work with the County and Elk River
Landfill, Inc on a partnership to construct a Household Hazardous Waste Facility/Reuse
Center at the landfill. This is going to the Sherburne County Board of Commissioners
tomorrow to seek their support. A lot of details still need to be worked out.
Background
Currendy, City of Elk River residents have the option of delivering their Household
Hazardous Waste (HHW) to the Tri-County facility in St. Cloud, or taking part in Sherburne
County's mobile collection events in the fall. HHW includes such items as paint, aerosol
cans, oil and oil filters, lawn and garden chemicals, cleaners, fluorescent lighting, mercury
containing devices, and other such items that pose a threat to the environment if not
properly managed.
Permanent Site
Staff from the County, City and Elk River Landfill, Inc. discussed the concept of sighting a
HHW facility and Reuse/Recycling center for the public as part of a long range plan effort.
The concept includes, roughly, 20,000 square foot building at the Elk River Landfill, with
approximately half being used as office space and maintenance shop for the landfill, and the
other half operating as a HHW facility, and reuse/recycling center. Bruce West, Fire Chief
has been contacted to discuss code requirements.
This facility would take the place of the County's HHW mobile collections. The Reuse
Center would allow residents to drop off and/ or pick up materials such as windows, doors,
paint, shingles, etc. that would otherwise be landfilled. It was also discussed that there could
be an area designated for recyclables. The goal is to have this facility serve as a multi-
functioning community resource thereby reducing the amount of materials that are currendy
being landfilled.
Time Frame
Elk River Landfill is currendy working out of a trailer because their office building was
flooded during the recent rains and is no longer structurally sound. They will be building a
structure to accommodate this type of facility with the understanding that the details will be
worked out with the City and County.
Arrangement
Elk River Landfill, Inc/Waste Management Inc would own the building and building site, as
well as staff the daily operations. Elk River Landfill employees would receive the necessary
training and certifications required to operate the HHW facility.
Green Energy
Elk River Landfill, City of Elk River, and County staff have also discussed the benefit of using
post consumer recyclable materials in parts of the construction of the building. The use of
radiant heat by taking advantage of the Methane Plant has also been discussed. Elk River
Municipal Utilities (ERMU) may be able to cover a portion of the costs if the facility is built
with leading edge technologies in their lighting, heating and ventilating systems through the
Conservation Improvement Program (CIP).
Summary
With growth comes an increasing demand for HHW management, and the reuse/recycling
center would further provide a valuable resource to the community. Elk River Landfill needs
to begin soon on construction of their building. Staff therefore is seeking your input and
approval to work with both Sherburne County and Elk River Landfill on a proposal that
would be brought before you at a future date for your consideration.