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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/10/1990 - Solid Waste Abatement Commission f • - r AGENDA SOLID WASTE ABATEMENT COMMISSION EAGAN, MINNESOTA EAGAN MUNICIPAL CENTER CONFERENCE ROOMS A & B TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1990 11:30 A.M. LI. ROLL CALL AND ADOPTION OF AGENDA IzI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES I. STAFF REPORT A. Multi -Unit Expansion Update B. First Half '90 Tonnage Report C. Resignation from Commission, Mr. Terry Schnell. ✓fV. OLD BUSINESS A. Discussion- Commercial Recycling Activities B. Staff Response to the Proposed Tax for the Dakota County Solid Waste Enterprise Fund ✓V. NEW BUSINESS WI. OTHER BUSINESS III. DISTRIBUTION 'VIII. NEXT MEETING ADJOURNMENT MEMO TO: CHAIRS HOEL AND MANN AND ALL MEMBERS OF THE SOLID WASTE ABATEMENT COMMISSION FROM: RECYCLING COORDINATOR HAGEMAN DATE: JULY 2, 1990 SUBJECT: EAGAN SOLID WASTE ABATEMENT COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 10, 1990 A regular meeting of the Eagan Solid Waste Abatement Commission will be held on Tuesday, July 10, 1990 at 11:30 a.m., in the Eagan Municipal Center conference rooms A & B. The City will provide a box lunch to those requesting one by noon, Monday, July 9. Please contact Kris Hageman or Jane Helebrant at 454- 8100 to indicate whether you will attend and your luncheon preference. I. ROLL CALL AND ADOPTION OF AGENDA The agenda, as presented or modified, requires adoption by the 5: , mmission. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A �`" A copy of the -- • the Solid Waste Abatement Commission �ileting of one 10, 1990 s enclosed on pages 4 to 5 . The �1.T tvised minu - o he SWAC meeting of May 8, 1990 are also enclosed on pages (/ to - 7 . These minutes, subject to 010. change require approl by the" Commission. III. STAFF REPORT A. Multi -Unit Expansion Update We have been very active during the month of June coordinating the largest number of additional units for program startup. An •0 updated listing of rental apartments /townhomes lists 5,070 nits in the city. During the month of Jun-...,e added 7 .mplexes with 1,650 units bringing our total t• units on line. Buildings with recycling opportunities to date: *Alden Pond Townhomes `-Shannon Glen Condominiums i Ballantree Apartments Royal Oaks of Eagan -*Carriage Hills Condos Thomas Lake Pointe Apts 4LCedarVale Highlands View Pointe Apartments CrossRoads of Eagan Eagan Green Apartments Easy Streets Apartments Fox Ridge Estates ,\ Glen Pond Estates /v Lexington Place . 1 B. First Half '90 Tonnage Report. The abatement goal for 1990 is which corresponds to approximately 2,500 tons of material A change in this years' formula allows for only 1/3 of the weight to be yard waste. To date, I have recorded tonnages from haulers and drop -off centers. No documentation has been made available from the Dakota County /Eagan Compost -. . Weights recorded include tonnage reports through - c or May depending on the hauler and /or drop -off cente .* Tonnage to date: $3 3 Haulers 6'39.3 Drop -off Centers 6 Yard Waste X The final tonnage report will be submitted to the Dakota County Community Landfill Abatement Program, July 15, 1990. *Additional weights should be available at our meeting on July 10th. C. Resignation from the Commission, Mr. Terry Schnell Terry Schnell has submitted a letter of resignation to the Commission which will be effective August 15, 1990. Terry has accepted a transfer with his position at Aptus and will be moving to Pittsburg, PA. Mr. Schnell will be participating in the Commission meetings through August. 4 o r A letter has been written for the City Council informing them of the vacant position. Staff has recommended that the Council review the previously submitted letters of interest for positions on the Commission. The Council may wish to fill the position with the current alternate or fill the position outright from the applicant list. The Council will be reviewing the letter in the July 10, 1990 council meeting information packet. IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Discussion- Commercial Recycling Activities. As noted at our meeting of June 10, the originally allocated Commercial /Industrial funds will no longer be available to carryover for program use in 1991. The item was briefly discussed June tenth and tabled for our meeting this month. During our last discussion some ideas for commercial activities were mentioned i.e., expanded distribution of the "Guide for Your Office Paper Recycling Program ", distribution of the "desk top" boxes for .white office paper programs, increased Z promotion /awareness efforts, additional hauler subsidies and others. Many of these ideas have been discussed with other local recycling staff and most cities are in the same position as the City of Eagan in regards to rethinking their commercial activities and priorities for 1990. Although the priority for 1990 is in Multi -unit recycling activities , I would like the program to take advantage of the funds available while we can. If managable program elements cannot be decided upon, then we need to look at letting the County oversee the program as originally intended. B. Staff Response to the Proposed Tax for the Dakota County Solid Waste Abatement Fund. As directed by the Commission at its June 8 meeting, staff has drafted a letter to in response to the Dakota County Board of Commissioners recent discussion of a proposed tax to be placed on County residents to support the Solid Waste / nterprise Fund. Please find the letter on pages Et to . Through discussion with City Administrator Tom Hedges, the decision was made to address the letter to Lyle Wray , Dakota County Administrator, and also copy Jeffrey Connel, Director of Planning and Program Managegement for the County. V. NEW BUSINESS VI. OTHER BUSINESS VII. DISTRIBUTION Enclosed in your packet are the following materials. 1. Article, "Consumers, Government, Industry Compete for Influence Over Recycling's future." May, 1990 Recycling Today. 2. Waste Management News and Views. 3 Subject to Approval MINUTES OF THE SOLID WASTE ABATEMENT COMMISSION Eagan, Minnesota June t 1990 A regular meeting of the Eagan Solid Waste Abatement Commission was held on Wednesday, June 6, 1990 at 11:30 a.m. Present were Larry Knutson, Terry Schnell, Tim Hoel, Denny Seiz and Tom Mann. Also present were Recycling Coordinator Hageman, Assistant to the City Administrator Hohenstein, Administrative Intern Olinger and representatives of the public and solid waste industry. AGENDA Upon motion by Knutson, seconded by Schnell, all members voting in favor, the agenda was approved as presented. MINUTES Upon motion by Knutson, seconded by Schnell, all members voting in favor, the minutes of the May 8, 1990 meeting were approved as presented. STAFF REPORT Hageman reported on - - or Boschwitz' visit to Eagan. Hageman updated the Commission on staff discussions concerning a Christmas tree program. Specific recommendations suggested by Commission members included the program not being a mandated one and this being an annual program. Seiz proposed collecting Christmas trees, mulching them and making the bi- products available to the public. Hageman informed the Commission that RCC can now accept plastics from the haulers in addition to residents' drop -offs. Haulers will receive $15 per ton for the separated plastic material. The Commission was also informed that the County is identifying drop -off points for button batteries. Hageman further stated that there will be an appliance ban as of January 1, 1991. The County is developing proposals for action and will release information at a later date. The City is also looking into incorporating appliance drop -off days into the community clean -up days and /or scheduling separately. 'W BUSINESS Hageman informed the Comm ssion of the current commercial recycling activities. She mentioned that the County will not be allocating new money to cities for the program in 1991. The $5,000 which has already been appropriated needs to be spent. It was suggested that recycling boxes be provided to local businesses. Discussion ensued concerning appropriate ways to spend this money. A motion was made by Seiz, seconded by Schnell, to continue this item to the next meeting in order to brainstorm more ideas for the use of this money. Hageman then introduced Richard Johnson from the County. Mr. Johnson, Financial Services Director for the County, provided a background concerning the County's efforts to pass a solid waste abatement fee /tax. Reasons for such a fee /tax included loss of revenue from tipping fees at landfill sites Z.( and the need to provide an alternate long -range source of revenue for the Resource Recovery Facility. The fee /tax would be approximately $12 per household and billed with tax statements possibly beginning in 1992. Discussion followed in which Commission members voiced their regrets that the County would propose such a fee /tax thereby penalizing the public for their response to recycling and a suggestion was made to raise the tipping fees at the landfill site. A motion was made by Knutson, seconded by Seiz, directing staff to write a letter to the County Commissioners concerning the Commission's views on this item. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:10 p.m. JJ0 Date Chairperson Secretary Subject to Approval MINUTES OF THE SOLID WASTE ABATEMENT COMMISSION Eagan, Minnesota May 8, 1990 A regular meeting of the Eagan Solid Waste Abatement Commission was held on Tuesday, May 8, 1990 at 11:30 a.m. Present were Cindy Ista, Earl Milbridge, Tim Hoel, Larry Knutson, Tom Moline and Tom Mann who joined the meeting in progress. Absent were Darlene Bahr, Todd Gatz and Terry Schnell. Also present were Recycling Coordinator Hageman, Assistant to the City Administrator Hohenstein and representatives of the public and solid waste industry. AGENDA Upon motion by Ista, seconded by Milbridge, all members voting in favor, the agenda was approved as presented. MINUTES Hoel introduced proposed modifications of two sections of the minutes to reflect more closely the comments made at the previous meeting. Upon motion by Knutson, seconded by Moline, all members voting in favor, the minutes of the April 10, 1990 meeting were approved as amended. EARTH DAY REPORT Hageman stated that all Earth Day events had been a success. She stated that 200 people participated in the Earth Day Walk including County Commissioner Don Chapdelaine and City Councilmember Ted Wachter. She stated that the Earth Day display at the Minnesota Zoo had resulted in the distribution of a substantial amount of information and material concerning Eagan recycling. She further stated that the Clean -Up Day had approximately 60 participants out of the 110 who had registered as a consequence of the cold weather. She indicated that the Lions Club and TCBY had donated food, Coldwell Banker and Country Club had donated garbage bags and Knutson Rubbish had donated roll -offs for the clean -up materials and recyclables. She further stated that Bob Williamson from the City of Farmington had conducted a compost demonstration for ten people at Trapp Farm Park. FINANCIAL REPORT Hageman overviewed the explanations of retained amounts in the capital funding accounts. No questions were raised by the Commission in this regard. COMMISSION GOALS The Commission reviewed the goals it had developed at the April 10 meeting. Hohenstein suggested that the Commission consider possible additions to the list and then proceed to prioritize them for use as a planning tool and to communicate to the City Council. Considerable discussion arose concerning the education and promotion goal and whether or not is should be treated as a separate goal or treated as tasks under other goals. Various suggestions were raised to expand the scope of the educational opportunities available and improve the penetration of their messages. One suggestion was to place posters at the point of purchase in cooperation with the grocery stores to encourage purchases of environmental sensitive products. After further discussion the following goals were prioritized for 1990- 91: 1. Expansion of multi -unit recycling 2. Improve residential and commercial waste reduction 3. Household hazardous waste collection and reduction 4. Community /school outreach programs 5. Addition of more materials in the curbside recycling program 6. Current program expansion *Education and promotion are integral to all of the goals listed above and should be considered to be an overall priority for Commission and staff work. Upon motion by Mann, seconded by Knutson, all members voting in favor, the prioritized goals were approved as indicated above. PROPOSED DAKOTA COUNTY SOLID WASTE FEE Hageman introduced the item and indicated that Dakota County Financial Director Richard Johnson was unable to attend the Commission meeting to discuss the County's proposed solid waste fee. Hohenstein encouraged the Commission to hold off discussion until County personnel were available so that the best possible information could be used in making a decision. After discussion concerning schedules to be certain that Mr. Johnson could attend the next Commission meeting, the matter was continued by acclamation. ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting will be scheduled to coincide with Dakota County Finance Director Johnson's schedule. Upon motion by Mann, seconded by Knutson, all members voting in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 12:55 p.m. JH Date Chairperson Secretary liA ci ty of eagan 3830 PII 01 Y, NOB ROAD THOMAS EGAII EAGAIJ, MINNESOTA 55122 1897 /.49 or PHONE (612) 454 8100 DAVID K GUS1Ar COt I FAY (6191 454 8363 PAMELA MCCREA TIM PAWLENTY //."��) THEODORE WACI IIFR Jul�t I / 1990 Council HEDGE \` // THOMAS HEDGES Coy Admini t r a', EUGENE VAN OVFPREI'F City Clerk Lyle D. Wray County Administrator Department of Administration, Dakota County 1560 Highway 55 Hastings, Minnesota 55033 Dear Mr. Wray, During the past few months, the Eagan Solid Waste Abatement Commission, an advisory body to the Eagan City Council which includes representatives from local businesses, the hauling community and Eagan residents, has been reviewing The County Board's recent decision regarding the proposed fee to County residentoo hound the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund. Dakota County Financial Director, Richard Johnson, attended a special meeting of the Commission, June 8, 1990, and reviewed the proposed plan. While Mr. Johnson answered most of the Commission's questions, considerable concern still remained regarding the potential negative impact such a fee could have on County residents and their participation in recycling activities. While the Commission chose not to take official action in this regard, it requested that staff share its concerns with the County in the form of this letter. Regardless of the realities of the situation, the perception of the public is__ hahey've done such a good job of recycling that they must pa o r a privelege. This creates a negative reponse which will not reinforce the positive work the County and Cities have done. The County, local governments and residents have worked very hard in the last few years to accomplish and surpass our waste abatement goals and this achievement could be diminished by negative perceptions of the nature and purpose of this fee. Other issues have also surfaced regarding the need for additional funding. While it is true the amount of waste being delivered to local landfills has been lower than anticipated, the amount has only decreased slightly. In addition, the amount of materials THE LONE OAK TREE...THE SYMBOL OF STRENGTH AND GROWTH IN OUR COMMUNITY / Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employer 0 Lyle Wray July 2, 1990 Page 2 may soon increase due to the fact one of the large Scott county landfills has closed forcing Dakota County haulers to deliver wastes to local facilities. Another source of revenue will be funds from the SCORE legislation although the amount is lower than anticipated for 1990. The Commission also encourages you to reevaluate the use of the Tip Fees at local landfills and eventually the Resource Recovery Facility. Raising the Tip Fees as the major source of revenue places the bulk of the cost upon those disposing of waste, not those recycling it. The City of Eagan might be able to assist lobbying efforts to secure legislative authority for surcharges at the Resource Recovery Facility, although the County's ability to set the facility's rates permits additional charges to be built in. We also understand that a separate source of revenue is necessary as ssecuri .�� the financing of the resource re Go efa l :t c�A Qa�z, It r en the a issue, that other 'din• alternatives be conside f is red instead. The Eagan Solid Waste Abatement Commission strongly urges the Dakota County Board of Commissioners to reevaluate the need for the proposed fee and the negative impacts the decision may have on public perceptions and, therefore, on the future of local recycling and other waste management practices currently being supported by county residents and businesses. Sincerely, Thomas L. Hedges City Administrator cc: Jeffrey Connej4, Director Planning and Program Mgmt. Mayor Egan Council Member Gustafson Council Member McCrea Council Member Pawlenty Council Member Wachter • 1 NO'S N OIARGET THE STRUGGLE FOR CONTROL 1 I Long -hair and love beads of 1960s en- . ?.)' vironmentalists have been replaced by , f lab coats and pin - striped suits. En- . vironmental concerns have made the Wk�,�v �, jump from counterculture to mainstream -'i __ 9 - -- ': as environmentalists compete with con- o _ • •"!j - y..., 4 sumers, government and industry to set . , 4. p Noir, , ; * - the recycling agenda for the 1990s. The . •« ....Z � " rC f question of the decade is, `Who's in control ?' • * 4 C onsumers, _Q u Compete In tr sy or InfluenceOver . Future R ecyclin g 's By Paris R. Wolfe lobbied successfully for a landfill mora- posals Were introduced in state and local torium. legislatures in 1989, according to the The number of operating landfills will Council for Solid Waste Solutions. decline 46 percent by 1995 for an overall "Fifty -four state proposals dealing with onsumers have joined the loss of 70 million tons capacity, accord- plasticsiri the waste stream were adopt- madding crowd to keep an ing to Recycling Opportunities, astudy ed by 32 states during 1989," said Rod - annual 157.7 million tons of by Cleveland -based Leading Edge Re- ney Lowman, the council's vice presi- municipal solid waste out ports. New landfills will only replace dent of government affairs. of their back yards. Theypressurepoli- 20 million tons capacity and, by 2000, Through nine months of 1989, more ticians to veto new landfills and are only 2,400 landfills — with an annual than 120 recycling laws were passed in afraid of incineration. Almost half those intake of 75 million tons — will be oper- 37 states and the District of Columbia, surveyed in 1989 expressed concern ating, said the report. according to NSWMA. that ash reside from waste -to- energy Consumers are seeing these numbers Two thousand; 353; 54; 120. Even the plants posed a public risk, while 61 per- and they want stronger laws. Fifty- Environmental Protection Agency cent view air emissions as a problem, eight percent want more government couldn't track the exact number of pro - accordingPublic Attitudes Toward Gar- regulation of environmental protection, posals because so many people are pen - bage Disposal , a National Solid Wastes according to a Cambridge Reports ning legislation. "So much is going on, Management Association report. study for NSWMA. That's 5 percent we don't have a handle (on it)," said Nick These fears have turned into action. more than in 1988 and 9 percent more Yaksich, policy analyst for the League In a case of television reflecting reali- than in 1987. of Cities. The league receives inquiries ty, thirtysomething recently showed They are motivating an influx of leg- from industry representatives trying main- character Hope Stedman unsuc- islative proposals. "In 1989, over 2,000 to track and influence pending legis- cessfully fighting an incinerator as part bills were introduced at the state level lation. of a grassroots consumer lobby. This that would deal with solid waste and "Industry themselves are frustra- fictional account represents a national recycling," said J. Rodney Edwards, vice ted," he said. Business is struggling to trend — the growth of special - interest president Paperboard Group for the stay ahead of legislation that would ban, consumer groups In the mid- 1980s, for American Paper Institute. maybe even annihilate, whole segments example, a Chicago grassroots group A total of 353 plastics- related pro- of industry." 36 1lav 1990 RECYCLING TODAY 7-0 4, waste after states be t - gantopass ing reach certain rate, because the Taws, according to NSWMA. markets are uncertain," said Nancy • ,0 i �� • Comprehensive state recycling Sherman, vice president of public af- • 44 s laws passed between 1986 and fairs for the Foodservice Packaging ' , �� �' 1988 were the result of declin Institute. wr r fi , - ing landfill capacities andprom- The Chicago proposal can be viewed - ``° �_, - inently featured mandatory as a metaphor for activity �, p ]t3 around the IP curbside collection. While, as of country. Industry representatives give • o o September, 12 states adopted 14th Ward Alderman Edward Burke `. •�°, , ,c., or changed solid waste plans, credit for jumping into the driver's seat • 41 o mandatory curbside collection to force recycling issues. played a small role because of However, as industry learns more, VW markets, according to the protest arrives from all sides. The de- NSWMA report. posit proposal is drawing objection from • • While making their plans, private recyclers, the Chicago Recycl- state and local governments are ing Coalition, the Illinois Retail Mer- o� O o turning to the EPA, "looking chants Association and the Steel Can —' ( for guidance inmanagingtheir Recycling Institute, among others ite solid waste," said Woods. "The "They'd do much better to work with state and local governments the industry that's already been in- _- want (regulations) clarified. vented," said Kevin Dunn, director of � � - s Even industry wants things the Resource Center, a non - profit re- clarified." cycling hauler. . ....7.-."-".. The EPA's role is growing. "In The packaging legislation is criticiz- the 1984 amendment to RCRA, ed by industry and retailers as too re- Congress asked us to take a look strictive. It would require packaging at ourrole," said Woods The call — not reused at least five times or not to action includes federal land- made of recycled material — be recycl- fill standards to be announced ed citywide at 15 percent by 1992, 30 • in May, and development of a percent by 1995, 45percent by 1997 and municipal solid -waste program. 60 percent by 2000. The uncertainty of Local governments may look markets could even hurt Chicagoans, to the federal government for • said Sherman. Business must stay on top of legisla- technical support and regulation The recycled-newsprint requirement, tion, as a Florida law may set prece- clarification, but they are not waiting however, has been criticized as too le- d ent for a New York law which, in turn, for action. In fact, the number of recycl- nient. Environmental and industry influences Connecticut legislation. Or, ing and waste- management proposals representatives want Chicago newspa- for example, the Portland polystyrene being drafted is so great that no agen- pers to reuse their own recycled news - ban which is serving as a prototype for cy has the manpower needed to keep print. other communities that are fighting the track, said as spokesman for the U.S. Post - consumer beverage containers perceived evils of packaging. Conference of Mayors account for at least 9percent by weight CAPITOL INTEREST. Two decades earlier, Take a legislative package in Chicago of the national solid -waste stream; pack - environmentalists may have been as an example: When industry associa- aging, including beverage containers, shrugged off as a handful of hippies tions were asked in late March to com- accounts for 44 -45 percent; and news - Their 1990s counterparts, however, are ment on the proposal — a modified pack- papers, 8 -9 percent, according to a competing with consumers, business aging ban, deposit law, recycled- content Franklin Associates report. and government to set policy. newsprint requirement — many repre- INDUSTRY AGENDA. Manufacturers are "A broad range of groups is getting sentative had yet to hear of the bill. studying recycling. "We're working on involved because everyone has some in- Some cited official policy in response RCRA reauthorization and with mem- terest," said Robin Woods, spokeswom- to the proposal. ber companies on how to promote recyc- an for the Environmental Protection "We're generally against bottle bills ling," said Theresa Pugh, director of en- Agency. as being too specific," said Kurt Smal- vironmental quality for the National After the Resource Conservation and berg, president of the Steel Can Recycl- Association of Manufacturers She said Recovery Act was written in 1976, fed - ing Institute. Curbside collection, he she couldn't elaborate, until official eral attention wandered. Federal finan- said, is a better alternative to "the ex- policy is set in coming months cial support for state solid -waste man - pensive problems deposit laws create," Industry has been united in its effort agement programs went from $25 mil- Smalberg said. to buy time on this patchwork legisla- lion in 1976 to $26 million in 1977, to Like Smalberg, many spokesmen ac- tive battlefield. "There are many pro - nothing 10 years later. EPA solid -waste customed to the influx of new proposals grams underway that this puts in jeop- staff also declined. could offer but a general opinion. 'We're ardy," said Jim McLellan. director of Federal attention returned to solid concerned about mandates that recycl- waste management for Amoco Chemi- RECYCLING TODAY Ala: ]990 V // i, Printed on recycled paper rr's w as THE STRUGGLE FOR CONTROL cal Co., which manufactures polysty- the CSWS worked with state and local the impetus for the group, it is now stud - rene. The company is concerned about policy makers to take "reasoned ap- ying the environmentally friendly packaging restrictions. McLellan add- proaches" to the 353 plastics - related claims of packages, said Julie Verge - ed, "The legislation totally contradicts proposals, just as McLellan is leading ront, special assistant attorney general the concept ... the time frames just the plastic industry's push to bend for the Minnesota attorney general's aren't realistic. The effect is so drastic Burke's ear in Chicago. office. it doesn't even allow for an analysis of Despite the success of these efforts, "We're always geared to look at it the alternatives" McLellan said, they interfere with the from the consumer's perspective," she David Vite, president of the Illinois productive work of developing recycl- said. "We hope to begin working with Retail Merchants Association, agreed. ing programs "We spend more time un- the FTC and EPA to help industry make "People want (recycling) to go faster, doing ideas that aren't any good than environmental claims and substantiate but technical suppport, capital and the doing things we'd like to participate in," them" time frame to build facilities hold back he said. VOTER INTEREST. Recycling has become progress." In Chicago, proposed legislation puts as political as it is environmental. The "There's a better way to drive mar- the burden of market development in public -as- consumer motivates industry, kets and change behavior," Vite add- the lap of industry. Either industry and public -as -voter motivates govern- ed. "Most major retail companies have finds markets to recycle certain percen- ment action. More than 400 protestors developed in -house packaging - reduc- tages of packaging sold in Chicago, or showed up for an April 23, post -Earth tion committees They are puttingpres- it faces extinction. Day rally on Wall Street calling for cor- sure on their suppliers." "We impose the responsibility on the porate responsibility for the environ- Even Chicago Mayor Richard Daley packager," said Lisa Ruble, deputy chief ment.The pressure is on. As forpackag- hesitates to endorse the ordinance. "He administrator for Burke. "Let them fig- ing legislation, the bills have just begun does not embrace every aspect of this ure out a way. I'm not going to sit here to be written, according to the Ameri- He would like to hear from the cor- and tell you the solution. If we get pri- can Paper Institute's Edwards porate community," said press secre- vate business behind this they'll figure "We predict in 1990 and 1991, at the tary Avis Lavelle. out a way." state level, you are going to see the next Lavelle declined to pick apart the pro- Though some industry represen- wave of legislation affecting packaging," posal, but added, "It would not be ef- tatives may label the legislation "a -ban- he said. "That's the way legislators are fective if it were Chicago alone." without- the - ban," Burke said, "The thinking, and the momentum is gain - Despite the objections, Burke's pro- problem with a ban on plastic packag- ing." posal is not inciting a riot. Instead, in- ing is that the alternative may be worse, Perhaps the political situation in Chic- . dustry has sighed, "Here we go again." and it puts the plastics industry in an ago is a microcosm of the things hap - In recent years, manufacturing and antagonistic position, rather than mak- pening across the country. Local legis- marketing professionals have become ing them partners in the recycling pro- lators are being pressured by their con - adept at working with legislators to con - gram" stituents and by state and federal legis- vert comprehensive bans to viable re- While Chicago is focusing on source lation to reduce the solid -waste stream cyclingplans. And, through a task force, reduction through packaging, another and increase recycling. The pressure Burke is soliciting their input. group has jumped on environmental has resulted in competition to sponsor According to the Council for Solid claims made by packagers. Degradable recycling legislation. Waste Solutions, apgram of the Socie- plastics came under fire late last year Politically savvy recycling profes- ty of the Plastics Industry, the record by a task force of eight attorneys gen- sionals working in the city ask to go off favors a peaceful resolution. In 1989, eral. Though plastic degradability was the record to explain the local politics. Business and Government Cooperate When the plastics industry has worked with lawmakers Louisiana decided not to ban nondegradable and nonre- and demonstrated its commitment to recycling, propos- cyclable plastic containers. Industry intervention helped ed plastic bans are often dropped, according to the Coun- pass a proactive law that assists local government in de- cil for Solid Waste Solutions, a program of the Society veloping recycling programs, creates markets through of the Plastic Industry. procurement and calls for public education. The Minnesota legislature dropped a proposed ban on Instead of taxing plastics and requiring degradability, nondegradable, nonrecyclableandnonreturnablepackag- California law requires local government to develop and ing in favor of legislation encouraging waste reduction implement source- reduction and recycling plans. Task and recycling. The new law sets county goals and requires forces will study source reduction, market development, curbside programs in cities. Programs are established government procurement, recycling technologies and for market development, litter prevention, public educa- packaging standards. Hennepin County, Minn., rejected a tion and a study on plastics recycling and market devel- nondegradable- or nonrecyclable- packaging ban and es- opment. tablished curbside collection for 1 million residents. tt - May 1990 RECYCLING TODAY /L One says, "The Burke ordinance was • ■ rushed in to take the wind out of the WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING EFFORTS TO FIGHT THE SOLID -WASTE CRISIS Hansen ordinance," referring to 44th WOULD YOU BE MOST WILLING TO DO? Ward Alderman Bernard Hansen's "op- portunity to recycle" ordinance, pass- t __ r - ed in February, which sets goals and � . � a timetable for recycling. - r Political observers hasten to add that .. t 5888 Hansen's ordinance, followed an earlier - I proposal made by Burke. When Burke's _ _ 1989 proposal faltered, Hansen grabbed the 40% t lead. With the new ordinance, said one observer, "Burke is trying to put more detail into the Hansen ordinance and push it faster." Hansen worked with the Chicago Re- WA cycling Coalition to develop a detailed 1! recycling ordinance. And then he work- ed with industry to take out the details and make it more viable. m,/. The in- again, out -again details are described by industry as unrealistic col- lection and market mandates These are f Ir criticized as weaknesses of the new Burke proposal. lac "The detail needs to come from busi- ness, industry and recyclers," said McLellan. "Industry's attention is CURBSIDE RETURN BOTTLES TO SUPPORT clearly there, putting in the infrastruc- PICKUP RECYCLING CENTERS FOR 5-CENT DEPOSIT tore for recycling." Source: THE GALLUP ORGANIZATION CASH • Under the new proposal, he said, "It's everyone for themselves in setting up busy reacting to legislation. Now, cor- — to take control. Government man - a collection program. They just don't porate America, in many places plas- dates may become so onerous that "out- recognize the supply limitations, the tics users, are trying to get out in front. siders" have little impact on recycling's technical limitations." Heinz U.S.A. recently debuted a recyc- direction. Or industry may become a Whatever politics are behind local lable PET ketchup bottle. Procter & truly dominant force. legislation, inevitably the subject turns Gamble is selling several lines in re- The speed at which recycling is de- to collection and markets in closing the cycled- content containers. Hefty gar- veloping across the country is unques- recycling loop. With a new polystyrene bage bags are packaged in recycled tionably due to pressure being exerted recycling facility planned for Chicago paperboard boxes by consumers. Government — in its con- this year, McLellan is concerned about With the threat to polystyrene, eight tinuing effort to do thepoliticall v right collecting a ready supply of post -con- corporations including Amoco formed thing — has historically reacted to this sumer polystyrene for recycling. the National Polystyrene Recycling Co. consituent pressure rather than acting Curbside collection may be one ans- in 1988. Its goal is annually to recycle on its own initiative. And industry — wer, but under current law, curbside 250 million pounds — 25 percent — of somewhat ironically —is more frequen- collection is only being piloted in four used polystyrene by 1995. Plans call for tly acting as the voice of reason and wards. As for private recyclers collec- seven recyclingplants by the end of the moderation, putting the brakes on ill- ting polystyrene or other materials, the - year, including one in Chicago. conceived public policy. private recyclers are fearing for their Meanwhile, the glass, paper, metal Until the three competing factions . existence. They claim mandatory- and aluminum industries are promoting agree on their goals, objectives, prior- deposit legislation would remove glass recycling of their materials and trying ities and the methods they'll use to and metals from their collection, and to increase the percentage collected and achieve them, the struggle for "control" that the lack of revenue from these recycled. is likely to continue. valuable items would put them out of With so many forces jockeying for con- "It's my belief the whole thing will business. This objection is not limited trol of a booming industry, the future be unnecessaryinaperiod of time," said to Chicago, but is evident in states is far from clear, most experts agree. Vite of the Illinois Retail Merchants across the nation where mandatory Opinions vary on where the forces Association, "because (recycling) is container- deposit bills are being con- which eventually stabilize the future happening." sidered as part of solid -waste manage - will come from. ment plans or on their own. Consumer Power may, continue to The author is an associate editor of In recent years, industry has been assert itself — as it has since the 1970s Recycling Tbday. /3 RECYCLING TODAY Alai ]990 39 i, Punted on t cycled paper !WASTE MANAGEMENT NEWS li \14,140 . . ;. .• , • , • ,, ,, • • • ..:•• • • • I LETTERS Remember to " make Earth Day everyday To the editor: ticipating in our Earth Day for our global environment. The With all the special events and Walk /Celebration on April 22. events hopefully also brought media coverage surrounding We also celebrated the first an- issues into the open and en- Earth Day 1990 behind us, it is niversary of the Eagan Recycl- couraged future involvement. my wish that the historic event ing Program. Other events such Eagan residents have actively and its message does not fall as the Community Clean Up participated in the local recycl- victim to our fast paced and Day (second year for an annual ing program, brought materials busy schedules. Earth Day 1990 event) and the Backyard Com- to drop off centers, volunteered was a global demonstration of posting Demonstration received at the household hazardous our concern for our environ- attention despite bad weather. materials collection days and ment. I hope many people do not Residents also showed their in- taken part In many other ac- think of it only as "let's recy- terest in our Local environment tivities at home and in the work cle" or "plant a tree" day. The by participating in the native place. overall message is far reaching prairie walk, also on April 22, I hope you will continue your and covers a global concern for which explored the beauty and efforts and encourage your many environmental issues and changing environment of the neighbors to do the same and exemplifies the phrase, "Make prairie in spring. "Make Earth Day Everyday." Earth Day Everyday." These and other events were Kris Hageman By conserving energy, water organized to help recognize the Recycling coordinator and other resources, by relic- importance of our local environ- City of Eagan ing our wastes and recycling, we ment and also stimulate concern can all, each of ta, make a dif �� (' �_.� c ,i l r (� Terence in the quality d our `'7 '11( environment. More than 200 Eagan , residents and neighboring com- munities expressed their in- terest and concern by par- • '