Review of Recycling Data

The purpose of this case is to review the City's most recent recycling data (tonnages) along with the most recent waste sort conducted by the State to look for areas to improve Ramsey's recycling program.  Attached are tonnage reports detailing, by material, the quantities of material recycled in 2012 and 2013 by Ramsey residents.  Additionally, the Pollution Control Agency recently (2013) conducted a waste sort to determine the composition of the waste stream and the executive summary of that study is also attached.

The information attached to this case can potentially help identify materials to focus on with regard to promoting and improving the recycling program, as outlined in the 2014-2015 Work Plan.  Staff would like to work with the Board to identify those priority materials to begin focusing a targeted marketing and education campaign on.  Additionally, Staff would like to begin exploring how best to 'get the word out' regarding these targeted materials and recycling in general. 

The intended outcome of this discussion is to develop an outline mapping out how the City can try and improve the recycling program to continue to meet the goals established by Anoka County, which the City has done successfully now for ten (10) consecutive years.  However, continued improvement as necessary as the State is incrementally increasing the tonnage goals for each county.  In 2012, the City's tonnage goal was 2,130 tons and in 2013, the City's tonnage goal was 2,205 tons (2014, the tonnage goal is set at 2,263 tons).  This could include promotional/educational pieces, developing new programs/offerings, and other ideas that may lead to capturing greater quantities of recyclable materials.

Any actions related to the recycling program are handled under Staff's regular duties, which are funded by funds through the Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment (SCORE).

Based on discussion.