RecyclingMonster - As the new recycling trailers in various locations around Mille Lacs County have been rolled out, the efforts of county residents to recycle has also increased. Stephanie Reynolds, Mille Lacs County solid waste coordinator, reported at the March 3 meeting that recyclables have been increasingly placed at the drop sites. In response to the increase, the environmental services department requested another recycling trailer at the cost of $13,185.

She reported that both the Milaca and Isle recycling sites are receiving high volumes of recyclables on the weekend, averaging approximately 40 cubic yards respectively. As a result, recyclables are being placed on the ground, Reynolds noted.

The extra trailer would allow staff to empty Isle’s recycling trailer twice per week without service interruptions, and the trailer could be rotated from location to location. Reynolds stated that there is about $21,000 left in their recycling fund to pay for the trailer.

County commissioner Roger Tellinghuisen asked what kind of items are being dropped off. Reynolds responded that they are not getting a lot of garbage or electrical appliances but that people are placing recyclables in plastic bags which is not supposed to be done.

The recycling program comes with a hefty price tag estimated at approximately $150,000 for start up costs for the first year, but Mille Lacs County Environmental Resources Manager/Land Commissioner Dillon Hayes said that price will be lower once there is a better market for recyclables as there has been in the past. The move to using Republic Services Facility in St. Cloud as the hauling destination will also help improve costs. The recyclables had previously been hauled to Shakopee which is further away from Mille Lacs County.

The County is mandated to have a recycling program in place, and the State has mandated that non-metro counties recycle 35% of total solid waste by weight by 2030.

Annually, the county is expected to pay $85,000 once start-up efforts are in place. The County had previously paid $75,000 annually for recycling efforts before recycling markets dramatically changed. Some of the cost to the County is covered by a grant.

Hayes said that most cities in the county have curbside recycling available, but most rural areas do not. “Based on hauler-reported data from our hauler licensing process, it appears that the rural areas with curbside available are generally limited to Milaca, Milo, Greenbush, and Princeton Township with some small areas in Page and Kathio Townships also being served,” added Hayes.

“It’s all still cheaper than contracting with a contractor,” said Reynolds. “We just need to get these things worked out.”

“By bringing the program in-house, we should also be able to lower expenses long-term as when recycling markets improve we won’t be locked in to a contract that was based on the current market conditions,” added Hayes.

The County asks that people remember to check the accepted materials list before dropping off their recyclables, to place materials loosely in the receptacles, and to close the door or tarp when finished. They also ask that cardboard boxes be flattened and that recyclables are clean and dry.

Only recyclable material is allowed.

The motions to move the recycling hauling destination to St. Cloud from Shakopee and the purchase of an additional recycling receptacle trailer were passed at the March 3 meeting with county commissioners Tim Wilhelm and Dave Oslin voting against the motion to purchase an additional trailer. The motion to move the hauling destination to St. Cloud was passed unanimously.

Other county business

A fee increase for maintenance permits, from $47.50 to $50, was discussed at a recent county board meeting and work session. The fee increase is in response to not having an increase for 17 years and to stay in line with neighboring counties, according to Mille Lacs County Land Services Director Michele McPhereson.

“By increasing, you get closer to what other entities are getting and will use toward mitigating some internal costs,” said McPhereson.

Mille Lacs County Public Works Director Holly Wilson reported that the City of Milaca did agree to allow the County to go out for bids for CSAH 2, a road project in which the City and County have been wrangling over for some time. “The City of Milaca has the right to refuse the bid,” said Wilson. “But this is good news, so we’ll get that rolling.”