Consider Participation in the Simple Recycling Program

Staff has been contacted by ACE Solid Waste regarding a new recycling program/opportunity that is available to Ramsey.  ACE recently met with representatives from Simple Recycling about a pilot program for curbside recycling of textiles (clothing).  This would be separate from the existing curbside recycling program.  There does not appear to be any direct cost to the City or to the residents that would utilize the program (the City would, however, market the program through newsletters, the website and Facebook page).  More information on the program can be found here (http://simplerecycling.com).

Simple Recycling provides collection bags for residents to place textiles, toys, sleeping bags, pots/pans, shoes, tools, blankets, coats/jackets, pillows, dishes, and silverware in.  These items, once put in the provided bags, would be placed curbside the same day as the garbage/recycling.  The bags DO NOT go inside a cart, they are simply placed at the curb next to the cart(s).  ACE would 'ping' each site with a bag and then Simple Recycling would send a small box truck through the community to collect the bags (a new bag would be tied to the cart for future use). 

The materials are brought back to a facility and are graded and sorted based on quality.  The highest quality materials are resold to local/regional thrift stores for reuse.  Mid-grade materials are exported to international markets for reuse and the low-grade (unusable) items are processed (recycled) for their raw materials.  The City would receive a monthly tonnage report as well as a year-end report from Simple Recycling for tracking purposes (this can also be used for reporting purposes to Anoka County).

Presently, across the country upwards of 85% of clothing is thrown away.  This program would offer an easy, convenient and free option to have that material reused or recycled curbside.  The City would also be compensated on a per pound basis of material collected by Simple Recycling (something like a penny per pound collected).  As noted, the City's main involvement would be marketing the program to residents via newsletters, the website and Facebook page.

This program is currently implemented in multiple metro cities, including Coon Rapids and St. Louis Park. But, Staff is seeking more information from ACE and Simple Recycling to better understand the details of this program.  At this time, Staff was interested in receiving initial feedback from the EPB about potential participation in this program.  This item would be brought back to the EPB at a future meeting when Staff has had more time to review the program and understand the details and intricacies of it.

This case is being handled as part of Staff's regular duties.

Provide initial feedback on possible participation in this program.  The EPB will have a chance to further review this once additional details are known and could provide a more formalized recommendation at that time.