St. Michael Could Be Latest Community to Use Single Sort Carts
Albertville joined the many cities utilizing single-sort recycling carts for residents last year. Now, St. Michael is looking to get its program spread citywide.
St. Michael officials are ready to ditch the blue bin, and move head with a blue-and-yellow cart.
The city's recycling program has been a huge success, according the City Engineer and Assistant Administrator Steven Bot, with more materials being recycled each year.
With that success first came the option (in January 2010) for residents to "buy in" on a single-sort program, where homeowners can dump recyclables, without sorting, into a large, 65-gallon cart by city partner Veolia Environmental Services/Veolia Recycling. For a fee, homeowners could opt-out of the 18-gallon bin and upgrade to the cart.
"It's been a very big success, with more than 1,000 homes going that direction," Bot said. "And it's increased our recycling stats by a pretty large margin."
That's a big factor, because the state, which mandated community recycling in the first place, compensates communities for keeping with that mandate in accordance to the amount of recylables it is able to keep out of landfills.
Now, the city is looking at taking that cart and spreading it to each home, working with Veolia, who still holds the city's recycling contracts for cart services.
"It's been a good relationship," said City Administrator Bob Derus.
The cost, the city is estimating, will be about $2.50 per month per household. That won't be in addition to the current recycling cost already placed on utility bills sent out monthly by the city.
To inform residents, the city will host an information meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3 at St. Michael City Hall. Those who can't attend, but have questions, can contact Derus at 763-416-7936 or by e-mailing him at bderus@city.st-michael.mn.us.
The city likes the advantages a cart gives residents, including an increase in recycling capacity (thereby reducing garbage hauling costs for residents, in many cases), a lid to keep recylables from blowing away on windy fall days (of which there have been plenty), and a single-sort program that makes it easier on homeowners, Bot said.
"It's really been popular with those that are already doing it," he said.
If you go:
What: Citywide recycling program open house
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3
Where: St. Michael City Hall
Why: The city is looking to bring single-sort recycling to each household.
Mike Schoemer
12:51 pm on Friday, October 21, 2011
Will this work in St. Michael? Has it been a success, in your opinion, in Albertville?
missyme
2:32 pm on Friday, October 21, 2011
http://www.ci.albertville.mn.us/
Sounds like it is a big success in Albertville. 55% increase in people recycling and 25% increase in recycle amount for people that were recycling.
Mike Schoemer
8:57 pm on Friday, October 21, 2011
Hard to argue with that Missy. I live in Albertville and can see the carts filled - including mine. It's amazing to think how much junk that keeps out of landfills.
Gretchen Harrington
8:52 am on Saturday, October 22, 2011
I'm thrilled this is fianally coming to St. Michael. I was extremely disappointed in the recycling efforts when I moved to the area seven years ago from Southern California. I couldn't believe we had only a small blue bin to hold our recycleables and that they were only picked up every two weeks. It didn't make any sense. In Califorina we had
single sort recyle bins that were picked up on a weekly basis. Our recycle bins were always full compared to our garbage cans that were only half full. This is a no brainer this service should be mandated. Now let's try to secure this service on a weekly basis and save our planet from more garbage.
Happy in St. Michael
9:57 am on Saturday, October 22, 2011
LOL Hello, Gretchen, from a fellow Southern Californian! I couldn't agree with you more and was thrilled when St. Michael added the option to use the large carts. We love it, but ours is beyond full every single pick-up. I wish everyone used them as everyone would recycle more and the guaranteed wind that comes with recycling/trash wouldn't mean trash blows all over our clean streets. It's only $2.50/month to help the environment as people would definitely recycle more. Think of the back pain you'll eliminate when you only have to roll your recycling out instead of carrying it!
Joy K
10:33 am on Saturday, October 22, 2011
I have had the cart since they were first offered and I love it. Mine is full as well by the time it's ready for pick up. I think they should be used instead of the bins as I am always picking up stuff from them as they are blown down the street. My bin blew away 3 years ago and I haven't seen it since.
jeff
8:44 am on Sunday, October 23, 2011
What about those of us who do not have that much recycling? Or live in an association that does not allow carts outside? I think not having the bins as an option will cause several homeowners to stop recycling.
Bill
2:07 pm on Sunday, October 23, 2011
A single person or couple does not need that big of a container. Why does this need to be one size fits all? Also, maybe if we used less bottled water there would be less recycling.
maxine
7:38 am on Monday, October 24, 2011
Do you realize these also blow over and really make a mess when they're full,I have seen it several times.Not everyone lives fifty feet from the road for some folks especially the elderly that could be a problem in the winter.I agree also that a single person or a couple would not need a large container,talk about a waste of time and gas! Where is our freedom of choice? This does not warrant an entire being forced into something not everyone wants.If you want it get it if not you should not be forced to do so.
Trish
2:57 pm on Monday, October 24, 2011
I live in Albertville and it's been a huge success! More & more people are recycling becasue they have made effortless. My regular garbage can is basically empty becasue my recycle can is full.
Don
3:47 pm on Monday, October 24, 2011
As empty nesters, we don't have the need for a cart, not to mention where to put it. Also as I understand it, the City is proposing a $2.50 mandatory monthly fee. This is on top of existing high property taxes and a proposed 2.48% levy increase for next year. Do they not know were in a recession.