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Recycling Collection Study • Over 70 percent of end markets interviewed reported seeing more contamination today than 5 years ago. • Over 85 percent of the end -markets .interviewed said that they have received both good and bad material from single -stream and dual - stream facilities. • The major glass market in Minnesota, a glass container manufacturer, has experienced a dramatic decrease in the quantity of clean, color - separated glass cullet, and attributes this decrease to increased sing -le - stream recycling.. Most problematic contaminants include glass, plastic bags/film plastic and unacceptable paper grades at paper mills; glass and metal at plastics manufacturers; and ceramics, pottery and mixed glass at glass manufacturers. • Most of the paper mills and all of the plastics manufacturers feel that single=SU eaiII i recycling is a contributing factor to the de^l{ne in feedstock quality. Other factors they identified include: O contaminated loads from dual stream MRFs O feedstock demand and pressures from- overseas markets o reduction in public education efforts a MRFs that emphasize material quantity versus quality. Feedstock contaminants and problem loads of glass are just as likely to come from dual stream MRFs as from single -stream MRFs. Key recommendations for PCA staff 1. Develop educational materials and sponsor workshops for local decision -makers that outline the advantages and disadvantages of different. collection and processing methods and discuss options for minimizing problems with any system. 2. Implement a registration or certification process for MRFs in Minnesota that would give a better understanding of Minnesota's recycling rates and infrastructure by requiring registered MRFs to report certain information. 3. Clarify to all stakeholders the terms of the Solid waste Management Tax exemption (Minn. Stat. 207H.06) to ensure adequate compliance. 4. Conduct further research into the feasibility of using optical sorting technology for processing mixed broken glass from local MRFs, and of possible public/private partnerships for the construction and operation of an optical sorting facility. : -7 4, p VA I Primary author: Mr. Tim Goodman of Tim Goodman & Associates (St. Louis Park, Minn.) Appreciation goes out to the MRFs, end -markets, and equipment vendors that participated in the study. Many of these companies and individuals graciously shared their data, thoughts and opinions regarding the issues and impacts associated with the processing of commingled recyclables. led.cf htt ://vvww.moea.state.mn.us/lc/commie m. 56 .p g Page 2 of 3 6/7/2006