copy here as well). It is sort of like an online public hearing.
- Steven Clift, E-Democracy.org
See:
http://stpaul.gov/index.aspx?nid=5000#peak_democracy
How can the City of Saint Paul increase the level of recycling, both
in materials and number of people recycling?
Introduction
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s new recycling goals call for
reducing the amount of trash headed to landfills by 75% by 2030.
However, in recent years, the level of recycling and participation in
the citywide recycling program has declined or remained flat. The City
of Saint Paul is committed to keeping recyclable and compostable
materials out of our landfills by making our recycling services user
friendly and cost-effective.
We want to hear your ideas on how to increase the level of recycling,
both in materials and number of people recycling. In other words, what
would make recycling more materials easier for you, and what, if
anything prevents you from recycling?
Context of the project
The City of Saint Paul is committed to finding new ways to address
barriers to participation and to capture the recyclable and
compostable materials that still remain in the trash. To ensure a
well-informed, financially and environmentally responsible decision,
the City of Saint Paul is conducting an 8-10 month assessment process.
The City will gather input from the community and key stakeholders
regarding recycling and waste management services (recycling,
composting, bulky waste, litter and garbage issues). The information
gathered through this process will help determine program initiatives
and services for the next decade. We will utilize a variety of
assessment tools including surveys (written, phone, and online), focus
groups, social media; Open Saint Paul (this online comment tool), key
stakeholder interviews, and community meetings.
Background
For over 24 years, the City of Saint Paul and its partners have
provided a high quality, innovative and cost-effective curbside
recycling program for Saint Paul residents. The program has evolved
over time and added services to multi-family residents, increased the
list of acceptable items, opened a permanent recycling drop off center
as well as provided exceptional educational materials. However, the
recycling industry’s technology is changing rapidly, and the industry
can now process a wider range of materials. Saint Paul’s Municipal
recycling and waste management programs must adjust and take advantage
of new technologies and innovation.
All Statements
Read what 60 residents are saying >
Peter Aggen inside Ward 3
March 4, 2013, 8:56 AM
Dear City of St Paul,
I would like to see a wider range of materials accepted for recycling.
Particularly, an expansion of the types of plastics and plastic
container sizes would be beneficial. As it is now, there are many
plastic containers - particularly #3-5 and tub sized containers that
cannot be set out for recycling. In other cities I have lived in, all
plastics were collected, which I found very helpful.
Thank you,
Peter Aggen
Support this statement
Nancy White inside Ward 5
March 1, 2013, 12:56 PM
We would really like it if we could add plastic bags and plastic
recycling for items with numbers above 2 to our curb side pickup. We
are dedicated about recycling and composting (we do our own for our
garden) but, now we have to haul so many plastic items to drop off
sites - which are not convenient. Thank you for listening to our
request.
Nancy White
Como
Support this statement
Laura Olsen inside Ward 5
March 1, 2013, 12:14 PM
First off, I want to say that I have found the Eureka Recycling
workers to be very courteous. There was one time we forgot to have our
bin out and they drove by, so I quickly set it out and they actually
turned the corner again to pick it up. They also lost a handful of
papers last week and stopped to run back and pick them up. We use
Aspen for garbage collection, and they've been very kind as well. One
time I didn't have the bin out early enough in the morning and the
driver stopped and gave a little honk and waited until I ran out with
the bin. I am personally not bothered by the number of trucks going by
my house, and I enjoy having a choice in garbage company (and price).
That being said, I would really like to see the recycling program
expanded to the large cart, single-sort style as in other cities like
Roseville. With that, I would greatly appreciate expanding the kind of
plastics accepted. Surrounding cities have made it possible, I think
it would be great if Saint Paul could as well.
Support this statement
Emi Ito inside Ward 4
March 1, 2013, 11:06 AM
People in North SAP neighborhood appear to be quite active in
recycling. I am frustrated at the limitations in what are being
accepted at present. In Shoreview yogurt containers and other plastics
up to # 7 are accepted. So I save those containers separately and take
them to my sister's house to be recycled. Not everyone can do that, so
I wish more items can be accepted for recycling within Saint Paul.
2 SupportersSupport this statement 4 Connected Statements
Don and Deborah McCoy inside Ward 1
February 26, 2013, 2:32 PM
Ward 1 - Summit University
We would like to see:
-zoned garbage and recycling collection
-1-3 garbage haulers and one recycling hauler per zone
-alley pick-up for recycling
-more expensive garbage collection
-subscription-only drop-off service for compost/organics collection
for residents (like at Patagonia)
-required compost/organics recycling for any business issued a food
service license
-required recycling in back (cardboard, pallets, etc) and for
customers (cans, bottles, newspapers) for any business license issued
in the city
-required business recycling for high-rise office buildings
-recycling bins in city parks, at city libraries, at city recreation
centers, on city sidewalks and in all city-owned, operated and leased
buildings
-increased opportunity to recycle TVs, computers, other electronic
devices, batteries and other chemically filled and more dangerous
things than rotten food
We are ambivalent about:
-day of the week for pick up
-time of day for pick up
-carts v. bins
… read more
3 SupportersSupport this statement 5 Connected Statements
Nicole Theis-Mahon inside Ward 4
February 26, 2013, 7:34 AM
Thank you for accepting comments
Recycle all plastics!!! Right now I hold onto these and bring them to
Whole Foods, but they don't seem to be accepting anything other than
#1-2, and #5.
I would love to participate in curbside composting. While I have a
small compost bin and haul items to the county compost pile, it would
be nice to have another option for food scraps and other compostable
items. Having this as an option with weekly compost would make it much
easier to manage and would reduce my trash.
Support this statement
Jon Jordan inside Ward 7
February 25, 2013, 4:36 PM
Not happy dealing with Eureka. Terrible service. Like most government
funded union backed entities they forget who the customer is.
I will not participate in any program until there is a single
container (With a lid), no sort program. There must be a phone number
or e-mail address to contact when pick ups are missed and a truck to
make those pick ups inside a 24 hour period. No excuses.
Utill then, I'll pay my trash guy extra for the large garbage can I
just upgraded to.
Support this statement
gary cagle inside Ward 4
February 25, 2013, 1:31 PM
plastic? plastic? too much now off limits !
2 SupportersSupport this statement 6 Connected Statements
Holly Heaser inside Ward 6
February 25, 2013, 1:04 PM
1. Recycle all plastics, including #3-7!!! I haven't found a way to
buy berries or several dairy items that don't come in plastics #3-7. I
clean & save as many as I can and then bring them to Whole Foods, but
that's not very convenient since it's clear on the other side of the
city.
2. One garbage hauler for every area of the city!!! There should be
one day of garbage pickup per neighborhood. I don't like to see
garbage trucks driving down my block 4 days a week, and sometimes
several per day, in addition to the recycling truck. That's a lot of
wear & tear on our streets & it's bad environmentally. I don't care
what day of the week pickup is, or what hauler is used, as long as the
price is competitive.
3. Institute curbside composting.
4. Ban plastic bags or institute a bag tax. Getting $.05 at the
grocery store for using a reusable bag isn't enough incentive for
widespread use. This might be something that is more appropriate to
take up w/ specific stores versus the
… read more
2 SupportersSupport this statement 3 Connected Statements
Amelia Shindelar inside Ward 1
February 25, 2013, 10:41 AM
I would strongly support single stream recycling. While sorting
recycling is not complicated it can be a hindrance to many people,
single stream also seems to accept a lot more recyclables than the
current system. Having moved from a municipality which has single
stream to St. Paul I am very frustrated when I have to throw away
items that are easily recyclable (like yogurt containers) but which
are not accepted by Eureka. If we had a system that combined ease of
use with a wider acceptance then I think we would see a very large
increase in recycling and a decrease in solid waste.
I would also encourage you to support a city composting system. I have
too often noticed piles of leaves and grass clippings moldering in my
neighbor’s yards because there is no way to easily dispose of these
items.
Overall I think the city would greatly benefit from contracting with
one company to dispose of all residents’ garbage. Requiring residents
to contract with their own garbage haulers is
… read more
1 SupporterSupport this statement 4 Connected Statements
As with any public comment process, participation in Open Saint Paul
is voluntary. The statements in this record are not necessarily
representative of the whole population, nor do they reflect the
opinions of any government agency or elected officials.
Steven Clift - http://stevenclift.com
Executive Director - http://E-Democracy.org
Twitter: http://twitter.com/democracy
Tel/Text: +1.612.234.7072