Small Scale Recycling Center Possibilities 

Staff recently inquired internally about the status of the former Utilities Division and Sign Shop building, located at 14210 Jasper St NW, as to whether the City was going to retain this building/parcel now that the Public Works Building is operational.  It sounds likely that it will be retained, which means the City could contemplate implementing a small-scale recycling center here.  This case is included under the Board/Staff update simply to get the Environmental Policy Board (EPB) thinking about a potential of a recycling center and what sort of materials could be accepted and what improvements would be helpful.

The City gets funding through Anoka County annually for its recycling program (funding is actually from the State Legislature through the Select Committee On Recycling and the Environment or SCORE).  There is a section within the funding application specifically for permanent recycling centers.  If the City were to establish a recycling center at this site, Staff could incorporate that into the funding request for 2025 (likely due to Anoka County around June 1, 2024).  A portion of the funding could be applied towards various site improvements (e.g. fencing, cameras, surfacing, dumpsters, etc.) for a permanent recycling center.  As such, Staff would encourage Board Members to visit some of the nearby recycling centers (Nowthen, Andover, and Coon Rapids), to get a sense of their operations (how they are set up, what materials are accepted, etc.).

If ultimately the City will retain this building/parcel, Staff will start to bring forward more specific information and ideas related to establishing a small-scale recycling center.

For update purposes only, no action is necessary.