2005 Recycling Pilot Program Report

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Observations on Lower Participating Areas Observatianal evidence suggests that there are twv snbsets of Roseville residents who do not participate zni recycling at the same frequency as City residents as a whole: renters and residents on major streets. Ren�ers There were several indicators that homes in some of the test areas were rented —"For Rent" signs in front of homes, vehicles vvith out of state license plates, numerous college age people entering and leaving the home and clustered duplexes or townhomes. These homes were cross checked with the property tax records. The records shawed either the owner had a different mailing address than the one for the property or the name of the ho�tne owner did not appear to maich the people living in the home. This list of homes was subsequently compared to the single-family rental home iist compiled by the Community Development Department. When the rental properties was cornpaxed to the list of recycling participants it t�vas observed that the recycling participation rate at renta.l properties was approximately 30 — 40%. Overall the City's participation rate is in the SO — 90% range. Figure Eieven Renta� Property — note the Wisconsin license plate Many cities have found that the recycling participation rate is lower at traditional rental praperties such as apartments (Multifamily Recycling: A National Study, EPA5430-R-01-018, November 2001). This is due to a number of factors. Most importantly it is because of the transient nature of residents in multifamily buildings. Because they view themselves as only temporary residents in the a�ea, these folks are less Iikely to participate in neighborhood and civic activities. While Raseville's Multifamily Housing St�xdy in 24041ooked at traditional renial properties such as apartinents, it does shed some light on the transient nature of renters. According to the study nearly 60% of apartment residents are under 35. More than 60% of apartments change hands in less than four years. Data from the Commu�ity Development Department shows that the number of single family homes that are rentals is growing. An increase in the number of rental homes in Roseville and a history of low recycling participation, suggests the City develop an outreach program to we�coxne renters into the commnnity and engage them in civic life. As part of Ramsey County's Solid Waste Master Plan the County will ma.ke available resources to cities to help develop outreach programs for transient and immigrant populations. 7t is highly recommended that staff explore these opporfunities. 37