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. seen their prices go up under the open system, and there is no reason to expect that haulers would refrain from all futur.e price increases if the City decided not to go ahead with organized collection. Over the long term, prices are likely to rise, whatever option the City chooses. The question is, are ilie structured increases under a contract likely to be greater or less than the increases imposed on customers in an open system? And is iliere a "bulk buying" effect that drops ilie prices when a City organizes? Rates and systems vary widely around the country, from highly structured "pay as you throw" systems to those that charge a flat rate for any amount of trash. Commission research came up wiili information on many cities, some of which are included in Appendix D. Rate tend to be much higher in coastal states where land for landfills is scarce and costly and waste must be transported for longer distances. The most meaningful comparisons can be made with communities in ilie Twin Cities Metro area, especially in Ramsey County. This sample in Table I is not exhaustive by any means, but it does show that at least some nearby communities that have organized collection have achieved rates iliat are lower than the average charges in Falcon Heights, Roseville and Maplewood, which all have open systems. Efficiency . The Falcon Heights Solid Waste Commission set as one of its major mission goals improved efficiency in the City's solid waste collection system. But is this a meaningful goal? Does efficiency really matter? Yes, it does, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (7) The EP A cites a recent study by SW ANA (the Solid Waste Association of North America) showing iliat collection represents the most costly phase of solid waste management, up to 62% of total system costs. Finding ways to pick up more waste with fewer trucks and fewer people in less time can have a big impact on total costs. For a trash hauling business, costs per customer are minimized when the hauler serves a densely populated area. When customers are widely dispersed, the hauler has to pay more for fuel, labor, and truck maintenance to earn the same revenue. In an open system, a hauler who can accumulate the best customer density achieves ilie most cost efficient operation. "Using fuel and labor efficiently.. .has a positive cost impact for ilie haulers and should result in lower prices for consumers," according to the Minnesota Attorney General's Office. (8) . The big question for consumers, however, is whetller "those savings are passed on to them or pocketed by ilie hauler." Some communities have tried to mal,e the efficiency factor work for them by joining togeilier by block or by neighborhood to contract with a hauler. The Attoruey General's report gives ilie example of St. Paul's Tangletown neighborhood, which was able to contract for significantly lower costs than the residents City of Falcon Heights Final Report on Organized Collection October 13, 2004 9