3.16. SR 02-05-2007
City of Elk River
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Agenda Section Meeting Date
Consent Februa 5,2007
Item Description
Rec clin Re ort and Rebate information
Item Number
3.16.
Prepared by
Nicki Blake-Bradle , Environmental Technician
Reviewed by
Rebecca Hau , Environmental Administrator
Introduction
Since 2003, the City of Elk River has issued Recycling Rebates to its residents to encourage recycling.
The popularity of this program is evident in the increasing number of residents requesting a rebate;
however, hauler feedback has indicated that recycling has not increased at the same rate.
Discussion
Because the City has organized collection, it receives recycling numbers from the haulers. With the
recycling rebate in place, the total amount of materials recycled had increased until 2005. A decrease in
2006 may be a result of several factors:
1) The average percentage of households participating in 2006 was considerably lower even
though the number of rebates requested was higher. The total number of homes participating in
recycling also increased from previous years (6,511 households in 2006 vs. 5,442 households in 2005...
up 19%).
2) The recycling numbers are lower in paper areas mainly with a slight decrease in the amount of
steel recycled. The reduction in paper/magazine recycling is likely a result of residents subscribing to
fewer newspapers, magazines, or printing fewer items from the Internet. Internet subscriptions to
newspapers and magazines are generally on the rise. Steel has recenrly had a nominal value, as well, so
residents may be recycling steel on their own rather than using the City's services. Other items being
recycled have continued to experience increases in the amounts being recycled, which slighrly offsets the
reduction in paper and steel.
2003
2004
2005
2006
$15
$15
$25
$25
120
232
494
670
Average % of
households
recycling
48.5
52.25
54.25
48.4
Total Amount of
recycled materials
(tons)
1,073.04
1,185.97
1,239.83
1,223.18
Year
Rebate Amount
Rebates
disbursed
Action Requested
Utilities staff estimates that 24 hours are spent on this program, while City Hall staff estimates 89 hours
to administer the program.
Staff is recommending that City continue offering the Recycling Rebate for fiscal year 2007 at the amount
of $25 due to the popularity of the program with residents with one administrative change. To be eligible
C:\Documents and Settings\tallard\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLKF\REQUEST COUNCIL ACTION-2006 recycling info.doc
(and for more efficient processing of the rebates), residents will be required to provide their utility
account information. If the recycling numbers do not reflect an increase following this year, staff
recommends discontinuing the program in order to pursue other methods of educating the residents and
increase participation in the recycling program. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at
763.635.1073.
Council Action
Motion by _
Second by _
Vote
Follow Up
C: \Documents and Settings \tallard\Local Settings \ Temporary Intemet Files \ OLKF\REQUEST COUNCIL ACTION-2006 recycling info.doc