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were not identified in this study. It is intuitive that increased efficiency resulting in less truck miles traveled would in turn reduce the potential for accidents involving waste collection vehicles. 2.6 Interest Group Positions There are several groups that have active interests in how MSW and recyclables are collected, especially regarding changes to existing systems. This section documents the positions of the following groups: National Solid Waste Management Association (NSWMA) League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) Minnesota Inter -county Association (MICA) Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) Minnesota Solid Waste Administrators Association (SWAA) Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) 2.6.1 National Solid Waste Management Association (NSWMA) The NSWMA represents many of the private hauling companies in Minnesota. This group has an active state chapter in Minnesota. Private companies provide the majority of the MSW and recyclables collection service in Minnesota and therefore are key to the success of any system. Generally private haulers oppose changing from open to organized MSW and recycling collection systems. They have built their business based on the regulations and market conditions that are in existence. Changing from open to organized systems represents a potentially serious threat to the future of their businesses. Hauler participation in the Ramsey/Washington Counties Public Collection Study was noted in Section 2.4.2.2. As part of this study, a list of questions was developed and provided to representatives of NSWMA. Foth met with several representatives to discuss the questions and gain direct input from NSWMA regarding many of the potential issues. The questions as posed for the study are in bold below and the written answers provided directly by NSWMA are provided in italics below. The members of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Solid Wastes Management Association provide the following responses to questions concerning Government Managed Waste Collection. Question: What does NSWMA see as the advantages of open collection and the disadvantages of organized collection (worded as government collection by NSWMA)? "Over the past 12 years as we have worked with communities on this issue, we have discovered the root of the issue is NOT the garbage and recycling collection system. Time and time again, in packed city council chambers, residents have demanded the right to maintain their FREEDOM of CHOICE and overwhelmingly told government officials not to destroy the free market system. Our experience shows that citizens, at the local level, expect government to 42 •Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC R - Analysis of Waste Collection Service Arrangements.doc June 2009