2018_01-23_PWETCpacket - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Interviews with recycling experts located in the metropolitan area were conducted to gain an understanding of how different organics recycling programs are implemented (Table 1). Questions regarding overall implementation status of their organics program, funding options, program costs, and citizen participation were asked (Appendix A). Interviews with Fridley, Elk River, St. Louis Park, Minneapolis, and St. Paul staff members contributed information to each case study, while all interviews informed the recommendations in this report. Eureka Recycling is currently the City of Roseville's organized recycling hauler. An interview of a staff member from Eureka Recycling was conducted to gain a contextual understanding of organics waste transportation and processing (Appendix C). The primary challenge associated with conducting the interviews was time constraints. The project only spanned three months, therefore limiting the number of interviews conducted and the ability to re -interview staff for more in-depth information. Case Studies Five case studies were used to evaluate the success and effectiveness of existing organics programs implemented in municipalities that are similar to the City of Roseville. Case study findings informed the organics recycling program recommendations in this report. Three of the municipalities selected for the analysis were from the Minneapolis - St. Paul metropolitan area, similar in population size to Roseville, and had implemented an organics recycling program. The three municipalities with distinct programs were Elk River, St. Louis Park, and Fridley. Although Minneapolis and St. Paul differ from Roseville in geographic and population size, they were incorporated as case studies because both of these cities have well established organics recycling programs. Each type of organics recycling program was represented across these five municipalities. The programs included drop-off sites for organics, commingled Blue Bag collection, and source separated curbside cart collection. The primary metrics used to assess the municipalities' organics recycling programs included program costs, outreach methods, and resident participation (Table 2). An interview with a representative from each municipality was conducted to obtain qualitative data for each of the key program aspects in the case study (Appendix A). All representatives were directly involved in the organics recycling program for their respective municipality. Interviews were conducted in person, by phone, or via email correspondence. Table 2. Case study metrics and rationale for selection in the organics waste recycling study for Roseville, Minnesota, 2017. Program Costs Outreach Methods Resident Participation Rationale Determine program costs for Determine common Determine level of residents and city outreach methods resident participation in used to increase organics recycling participation programs Examples of Cart or kit costs, service Mailer, signage, Current participation Information initiation fees, hauler service emails, workshops, rates fees, cost of supplies (bags) etc. Time constraints were the greatest limiting factor associated with this method. Schedule coordination and execution of interviews are both inherently time intensive research techniques. These time constraints restricted the municipal sample size.