I have just moved back into Minneapolis from Richfield where I was spoiled by having single sort recycling, I must urge the city council to seriously consider changing to a single sort (or at very least double sort) system. In order for the average person to participate in a recycling system it must be convenient, the present Minneapolis system is anything but, separating and bagging the different types of recycling then getting threatening notes if you make a mistake? Come on, the less complex the better.
Dan McConnell Longfellow Message: 5 Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2004 12:12:51 -0600 From: Hal Johnson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Minneapolis Issues Forum <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [Mpls] Minneapolis recycling contract The information I've read on this topic leads me to think that city council should choose Eureka Recycling for the new contract. But I suppose there are reasons--either practical or political--why the city council would choose RecycleAmerica instead. Could someone on this list suggest what those reasons might be? Thanks. Hal Johnson Seward Mark Snyder wrote: >I heard through the grapevine that the city council Transportation and >Public Works committee is set to vote on a new recycling contract next >Tuesday and the main contenders appear to be RecycleAmerica (Waste >Management) and Eureka Recycling. > >Bids were reviewed by RW Beck and Dan Krivit and Associates and for those >who like the details, you can download their report using this link. > >http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2004-meetings/20040116/docs/09_Resi d >ental_Recycling_Program.pdf > >If that monstrosity breaks on you, use this one: > >http://makeashorterlink.com/?D1F326217 > >But, here is the short and sweet version: > >Processors pay the city for their recyclable materials, and then sort and >sell it to other markets. Waste Management is offering the city a "fixed >price" for the material, meaning they will never pay the city less or more >than this price no matter what the markets are paying them for the material. >Sounds safe, but the catch is that everything ABOVE that price, Waste >Management keeps as profit. > >Markets were paying significantly more than Waste Management's price last >year (as can be seen in Table 2 of the report by the number of times Eureka >is listed as the "best price"), and all indicators suggest that the markets >for recycled material (especially paper, a big component of the Minneapolis >recycling stream) are going to continue to rise. > >Because Eureka is a non-profit, they are offering the city 100% of the >revenues. That money can then be reinvested into the recycling program >helping to cover cost for collection and expand waste reduction programs, >making recycling much more sustainable and successful for Minneapolis. >Eureka believes that Minneapolis residents should benefit from the revenues >made through their recycling efforts. > >Another concern with Waste Management is their decision-making for managing >recyclables is based solely on their own bottom line whereas Eureka's is >based on ensuring the highest and best use for the recyclables we go to all >that effort to separate and collect. That means that while Eureka will make >sure your glass bottles get used to make other glass products, Waste >Management is happy to use crushed glass in landfill cover. > >Is that what you spent all that time washing and sorting bottles for? > >The T&PW committee members are Sandra Colvin Roy (chair), Scott Benson, >Barret Lane, Robert Lilligren, Gary Schiff and Dean Zimmermann. > >Mark Snyder >Windom Park > > REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
