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and further encouraged new or upgraded recycling programs. Mr. Andersen <br /> provided materials, attached hereto and made apart hereof. <br /> Joel Andersen, Ramsey County <br /> Mr. Andersen provided an overview of Ramsey County programs in addressing <br /> this mandate. Mr. Andersen advised that Ramsey County considered that they <br /> had made the lion's share of efforts that were available to is in its residential <br /> recycling programs, and were now shifting focus to the commercial side. <br /> However, Mr. Andersen recognized that the relationship of government with <br /> business was not always a well-received effort, and therefore, had created the BIZ <br /> Recycling and Grant Program with a business to business model, with Ramsey <br /> County working with different consultants to act on behalf of Ramsey County and <br /> explain the process. <br /> Mr. Andersen reviewed the grant program, launched June 1, 2014 by the Ramsey <br /> and Washington Counties resource recovery project. Mr. Andersen reviewed the <br /> goals of the Biz Recycling Program, noting that Ramsey County was currently <br /> recycling 47% to53%, and wanted to reach its goal of 75% recycling, as well as <br /> promoting job growth and protecting the environment. Mr. Andersen advised that <br /> this included schools, healthcare facilities, institutions, and local businesses <br /> recycle more by providing them a financial incentive to do so, making the effort <br /> through an economic versus mandated method more effective in accomplishing <br /> those goals. <br /> Mr. Andersen noted that the garbage bills from licensed trash haulers for each <br /> commercial business in Ramsey County included a County Environmental Charge <br /> (CEC), at 53% for Ramsey County businesses on top of their garbage bill, and <br /> based on the amount of trash produced by those businesses. While many assumed <br /> that their bill was based on actual tonnage, Mr. Andersen clarified that this is not <br /> generally true, but most business owners didn't understand how that CEC <br /> impacted their business costs until explained to them, providing an economic <br /> incentive to recycle and reduce those costs. Mr. Andersen noted that those <br /> businesses pay a 17% state tax on those garbage bills in addition to the Ramsey <br /> County CEC fee. <br /> As part of an initial program to make businesses aware of and encourage <br /> recycling, Mr. Andersen advised that during 2012-2013, outreach was provided to <br /> over 1,300 businesses, with consultants working on site with 227 and 120 <br /> business projects completed. Mr. Andersen noted that this meant over 8 million <br /> pounds of recyclables and organic waste had been diverted per year as a result of <br /> those efforts. To-date, Mr. Andersen advised that 42 grants had been issued, with <br /> funds in the amount of$196,000 distributed, having a total impact of$283,000. <br /> Mr. Andersen provided examples of some of those success stories, including <br /> Concordia University, Warners' Stellian, as well as smaller businesses (e.g. hair <br /> salons capturing plastic bottles). <br /> Page 6 of 16 <br />