Agenda Packets - 2015/08/03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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8 • Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC March 2014 ♦ The older “rear-load packers” are best suited for handling bulky wastes and other waste from the Citywide Curbside Cleanup program. The number of rear-load packers in service is decreasing because of the industry-wide trend to side-loading, automated trucks. The style of trucks (e.g., automated side loaders versus rear loaders) is a real issue because haulers now have fewer rear load trucks. ♦ A large number of trucks (estimated at 30 to 35 trucks, plus appliances recycling subcontractors) are needed on any given Saturday to service the number of stops and waste collected during the City’s Curbside Cleanup program. This requires a very large fleet, preventing smaller haulers from bidding. The City could consider dividing up the districts or finding other means to encourage smaller haulers to bid such asforming a consortium. 4.2 Master Recyclers and Composters The Master Recyclers and Composters (MRC) group was invited to meet with the Consultant and City staff November 12, 2013 to discuss trash, recycling and composting issues. The MRC group is very active in the community providing education and expertise in recycling, composting and sustainability. They also approached the Council to request that organized recyclables collection be implemented in a letter submitted in August 2012. The group was asked what is going well with recycling. They responded: ♦ All haulers offer curbside recycling service. The single-stream method, with carts with every-other-week collection, is now universal in Bloomington. ♦ Weekly recyclables collection (instead of every-other-week) is helpful to encourage participation. But not all haulers offer weekly collection. ♦ MRC members have observed a high rate of recycling by residents. They believe the City is doing a good job providing information this year, praising the City “Briefing” newsletter, including the “Earth Action Heroes” feature. ♦ The MRC presence at the Bloomington Farmer’s Market helps reach out and provide education. MRC passes out education materials. This includes a magnet with the standard recyclables collected similar to the City’s “Recycling Guide” and Hennepin County brochures about batteries, light bulbs, and prescription drugs. ♦ MRC considers the Citywide Curbside Cleanup to be a positive event. To improve recycling, MRC members stated that: ♦ Residents should have bigger recycling bins and smaller trash bins. ♦ Not enough people use the County’s household hazardous waste and problem materials drop-off facility in Bloomington. More education is needed from the City and County to promote its use. Hennepin County should loosen the rules so that small contractors can use the County’s facility. ♦ Recycling and disposal of different types of light bulbs are an issue, including incandescent, fluorescent, and light-emitting diode (LED) lights.