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Councilrnember Schroeder's Recyclinq Questions, and Staff Answer~ In addition, I would like to request the following information: 1) What was the residual rate when two-sort started? There are three different types of residual identified in the report: Non-targeted Materials, Processing Residuals, and Contaminants in Marketed Products. The discussion at the Public Works Commission meeting was about Non- targeted Materials - material residents put at the curb that is not accepted as part of the program. There are no studies with definitive historical numbers on this. Here's what is known on that topic. Current two-stream rates of residual deemed Non-targeted Materials are in the 2 - 5% range. MRF operators contacted indicated that they have not noticed a significant change up or down in the two-stream rate of Non-targeted Materials since they began two-stream operations. 2) What is the estimated life of the small blue bins? The City is still waiting to find out. The City began purchasing higher quality bins in 1996 and has yet to see that they are wearing out. These bins come with a 5-year guarantee. So far the City has had one resident return a single cracked bin and that bin was replaced by the manufacturer. However, the discount bins purchased in the early 90's are starting to fail. As noted in the 2002 Solid Waste and Recycling report, the City is replacing one to two of these per week. The discount bins are ribbed and upper corners on the long sides. and have a logo in the middle of have The each the recycling logo in each of the higher quality bins are smooth long side. 3) How many bins do we hand out and/or replace per year? The City passes out approximately 550 bins per year. Our vendor reports that that is a low to average number for a city our size. We do not track why residents request a bin. According to our vendor the most common reasons for issuing bins are: new housing, request for additional bin because one is not enough and replacement at a residence where the previous occupant took the bin with them when they moved. 4) What is the cost for staff time involved in handling, purchasing, etc... the recycling bins per year? We estimate an annual cost of $400 -$500 in staff time including benefits. 5) What is the current cost of a basic blue bin? ($5.50 a bin?) The IS-gallon blue bins purchased in 2003 were $5.50. In 2004 the cost increased to $6.45 a bin. The increase is due to higher resin costs associated with the rise in petroleum prices. 6) Number of households in city? Approximately 9,320 single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes and townhomes are in the curbside recycling program.