2005 Recycling Pilot Program Report

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The final new item was a refrigerator magnet listing the broad categories of what is accepted in Roseville's recycling program and what is not. Focus group participants loved the simplicity of the design and ease of use. They gave their highest marks to the magnet. Residents were also sent a calendar of recycling dates that had been previously distribuied in the January/February resident newsletter. Copies of the education materials can be found in Appendix A. Table 1 Educational Material Used in Pilot How to Recycle More Paper Brochure Where Your Recycling Goes Brochure What Plastics to Recycle Flier Refrigerator Magnet Annual Calendar One of the test areas was given only the increased educational material to see if it would affect residents' recycling beha�iors. Bin/Cart Capacity Data collected by the City plus the results of the RAM and Eureka Recycling studies also zndicate irnproved bi�n capacity is a key component of getting residents to recycle more. Three components of capacity emerged for study: larger bins, wheels for bins and carts, and weekly coilection. Larger Bins Roseville's recycling program has not ke�t up with residents' need for more storage room. Roseville received a gtant from the Metropolitan Council in the eaxly 1990's to pu.rchase bins to distribute to residents. Each household was provided one free 18-gallon recycling bin. Up until late 2001 City staff only gave out one bin per persan even though the recycling program expanded to take more mater�al. While 81 % of residents who recycled surveyed in 2002 said they use the bins, 54% of recyclers said the bins do no� meet their needs. Those residents were then asked what would make the bin better. Sixty-six percent of those res�dents said make ii larger, 61 % said add wheels and 34% said add covers. Wheels for Bins and Carts The Eureka study found the most significant increase zn the amaunt of recyclable material that was successfully collected and processed was in the zone r�vhere residents used two 32-gallon vvheeled carts — one for paper and one for bottles and cans. However, the cost of wheeled carts is #oo expensive for most murucipalities to afford on their own — approximately $35 a cart. A reasonable facsianile could be assembled for a more manageable cost. For instance, the current blue bins cost about $5.50 a bin, lids are another $3.00 a piece and wheel kits run about $5 each. So a pair of wheeled bins with lids could be assembled for $27. Roseville wanted to find out if residents really would be interested in using larger bins with wbeels. City staff conducted focus groups on March 13 and Ma.rch 30, 2004 to ask residents that question. First ttiey were asked to pick their preferred bin size. Twenty-five of ihe 31 participants voted for larger than the current 1 S- gallon bin. Most of them (18) picked the rectangular 24-gallon bin. When asked about addin.g wheels, 20 �'7