5.3. SR 08-03-2009__ . ~-
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Diver
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
FROM: Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator
DATE: August 3, 2009
ITEM 5.3.
SUBJECT: Curbside Source Separated Organic (SSO) Collection Program
In August 2008, the City through a grant from Sherburne County began a pilot Curbside
Source Separated Organic (SSO) Collection Program in the Trout Brook Farms (single
family homes) development. This program expanded to the Trout Brook Farms South
townhomes this past spring. The collection of the SSO has been conducted by Randy's
Environmental Services, who has a contract with the City for hauling residential waste and
recycling.
Due to the success of the pilot program, staff applied for another grant this year from
Sherburne County and was awarded $41,209 for this program. The City has budgeted
$77,000 out of landfill abatement for this program.
The second year program will be offered to all City of Elk River residents. The resident
must call Elk River Municipal Utilities to subscribe for this service as it is not a mandatory
program. The first 1,700 to call and subscribe will receive an organics cart, valued at $50, for
free. If the resident is willing to downsize their current garbage container, they will receive
the service for $2/month for the first year. If the resident chooses not to downsize their
container, they are still eligible to participate in the program; however, they will pay the
actual cost of the service, which is $4/month. The benefit to this program is the resident
does not pay taxes on recycling ox compostables but does on garbage, so there will be a cost
savings. The attached flier and brochure will be sent to all City residents explaining the
program and how to subscribe. Randy's Environmental Services will continue to collect the
SSO from all City residents.
It is amazing how much material can be composted. All of your food scraps, food-soiled
paper products and other items such a dryer lint, vacuum cleaner bags, tissues and cotton
balls can be composted.
Organics make up approximately 25% of the waste stream. This program will reduce
dependency on landfill space and provide a drier fuel for the RDF process which will
produce better fuel for electricity. Please let me know if you have any .questions. I will be
present at the August 3 meeting or can be reached at 763.635.1068.
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
August 4, 2009
The City of Elk River is continually striving to improve services to residents and solid waste is no
exception! The City contracts for solid waste hauling services from two companies, Allied Waste and
Randy's Environmental Services. Randy's Environmental Services has been developing Source
Separated Organics (SSO) programs for over six years now and they are the recognized leader of SSO
collection in the metropolitan area. In 2008, the City of Elk River chose to implement SSO collection
through Randy's Environmental Services with a pilot project in the Trout Brook Farms Development
area. Due to the success of the pilot project and a grant from Sherburne County, this program is now
being expanded to all Elk River residents on a subscription basis regardless of whether the parcel is
within the Allied Waste collection area. Allied Waste will continue to offer garbage and recycling
services in their territory, but Randy's will serve the SSO customers. Please note, you choose whether
to participate in the program.
Why should you participate?
As an Elk River resident, starting in August 2009, you will have the opportunity to sign up for the SSO
program. The goal of SSO Recycling is to reduce the amount of trash that goes into a landfill or
Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) facility. SSO recycling allows you to recycle your food scraps and food-
soiled paper into compost that can be re-used and keeps a "problem material" out of the waste stream.
Organic materials are typically wet by nature so there is a greater chance of contamination in the RDF
process and most organics are not good fuel materials. Organic materials that are not composted end
up in the landfill. Organics makes up approximately 25% of what we throw away. Residents
committed to the separation of waste for recycling or composting may be impressed by how little
landfill waste they actually generate. If that's not enough reason, consider that garbage is taxed, while
recycling and composting is NOT!
Organics Recycling is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
1.) Collect your food scraps &food-soiled paper products
2.) Empty your food scraps &food-soiled paper products into the organics cart provided by Randy's.
3.) Set out your organics cart on the curb on the same day as your garbage service.
Check out what is accepted.
Food Scraps
Fruits & vegetables
Meat, fish & bones
Bread, pasta & baked goods
Egg shells
Dairy products
Coffee grounds
Food-soiled ~yaper~nroducts
Paper towels & Napkins
Paper plates & cups
Milk & juice cartons
Pizza boxes & paper fast food packaging
Egg cartons
Boxes from frozen & refrigerated foods
Waxed paper & paper containers
Coffee Filters & tea bags
Dryer lint & full vacuum bags
To participate in the program
Call the Elk River Municipal Utilities at 763-441-2020. The first 1,700 residents to subscribe will
receive their 35 gallon cart valued at $50 for free. When you call, you will have the option of
receiving this service for $2/month for the first year by downsizing your current garbage container.
If you do not choose to downsize your current garbage container, you are still eligible but you will
pay the full price of $4/month for the first year.
How do I collect the SSO until pick up day.
Residents who sign up for the program will receive a 35 gallon cart for separation. Residents who
opt out of the program must return the cart. Two gallon compostable bags are available for sale
through the Northbound and Westbound Liquor Stores as well as through Elk River Municipal
Utilities. A roll of 25 bags is just $2.97 + tax. Larger bags are available through local outlets such as
Cub Foods and Home Depot (and may be available over time with other retailers). However, you
do NOT have to purchase compostable bags to be part of the program. Get creative with
compostable containers and save! Pilot project participants have used ice cream buckets for
collection or milk and juice cartons (after removing the plastic spouts) as well as newspapers or
boxes from refrigerated foods to contain organic materials. Others have frozen their organics until
the pick up day to reduce the potential for odors. Non-biodegradable plastic bags or containers are
the only options not acceptable with this program.
When can I start?
You can expect your Organics cart to be delivered the 3`d or 4`" week of August 2009. First day of
collection will be your normal garbage pick up day the following week; just put your cart out with
your recycling and garbage container. At any time you may also call Elk River Municipal Utilities to
arrange either a smaller trash cart or request every other week trash collection.
Questions?
Call 763-635-1000 with questions or for more information on this new program. Thanks in advance
for being part of the solid waste solution and for leading by example!
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