eden prairie solid waste management plan

Solid Waste Management Plan

Project I.D.: 17E008.00

Prepared for the City of Eden Prairie,

Minnesota

December 31, 2018

• Foth

ii

pw:\\PW-APS1.foth.com:PW_IE\Documents\Clients\Eden Prairie MN C\0017E008.00\10000 Reports\ 2019-1-19 FINAL Sold Waste Management Plan.docx


City of Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Contents

Page

Executive Summary .........................................................................................................................v 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................1

1.1 Purpose, Goals and Objectives ......................................................................................1

1.2 Community Engagement and Plan Adoption Schedule .................................................1 2 Current City Solid Waste and Recycling Systems ..................................................................3

2.1 Open Hauling Systems ...................................................................................................3 2.2 Residential Curbside Recycling .....................................................................................3 2.3 Community Drop-Off Day .............................................................................................3 2.4 Other Public Education, Waste Reduction and Recycling Programs ............................4

2.5 Yard Waste.....................................................................................................................5 2.6 Organics Recycling ........................................................................................................5

2.7 Multifamily Recycling ...................................................................................................9 2.8 Other Commercial Recycling ......................................................................................10

3 Metro and County Plans ........................................................................................................11

3.1 Metro Policy Plan by MPCA .......................................................................................11 3.2 Hennepin County Master Plan .....................................................................................11

3.3 Roles and Responsibilities Assigned to Each Level of Government ...........................12 4 Eden Prairie Strategies ..........................................................................................................14

4.1 Education .....................................................................................................................14 4.2 Waste Reduction ..........................................................................................................16 4.3 Recycling Drop-Off Services .......................................................................................17

4.4 Residential Curbside Recycling of Traditional Recyclables .......................................17 4.5 Multifamily Recycling of Traditional Recyclables ......................................................19

4.6 Yard Waste Management .............................................................................................21 4.7 Organics Recycling ......................................................................................................23

4.7.1 Residential Curbside Organics Recycling .......................................................23

4.7.2 New Organics Drop-Off Sites ..........................................................................26 4.7.3 Organics Recycling at Public Facilities ...........................................................27 4.7.4 Organics Recycling at Commercial Establishments ........................................27

4.8 Commercial and Institutional Recycling .....................................................................27 4.9 Event and Away from Home Waste ............................................................................28

4.10 Household Hazardous Waste and Problem Materials (including bulky waste

items)............................................................................................................................29 4.10.1 Curbside Collection of Bulky Waste Items .....................................................29 4.10.2 Alternative Events and Drop-Off Facilities .....................................................29

4.10.3 Neighborhood-Focused Cleanups Alternatives ...............................................30

Contents (continued)

Page

Eden Prairie Solid Waste Management Plan Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC iii

4.11 Resource Recovery ......................................................................................................30 4.12 Landfilling....................................................................................................................30 4.13 Non-MSW ....................................................................................................................31 4.14 Solid Waste Collection Issues and Regulations ...........................................................31

5 Ten Year Plan ........................................................................................................................33

Figures

Figure 1 List of Yard Waste and Organics Sites…………………………………………..6

Tables

Table 1 List of Yard Waste and Organics Sites...................................................................8

Table 2 City of Eden Prairie (2017) Number of Dwelling Units by Type/Size of

Building ..................................................................................................................9

Appendices

Appendix A Definitions

Appendix B Strategies Matrix

iv Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC Eden Prairie Solid Waste Management Plan



Abbreviations and Acronyms

C&D Construction & Demolition Materials

City City of Eden Prairie

County Hennepin County

ELC Environmental Learning Center, City of Eden Prairie

HERC Hennepin Energy Recovery Center

HHW Household hazardous waste

Minn. Stat Minnesota Statutes

MPCA Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

MRF Materials Recovery Facility

MSW Mixed Municipal Solid Waste

PROP People Reaching out to People

REC Minnesota Recycling Education Committee

SWMP Solid Waste Management Plan

YW Yard Waste

Eden Prairie Solid Waste Management Plan Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC v



Executive Summary

The Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP or “Plan”) is one component of Sustainable Eden

Prairie. The purpose of this particular project is to adopt a ten year Solid Waste Management

Plan for the City that establishes strategies for management of solid waste, recyclables, organics

and yard waste for single-family residents, multifamily residents, institutions, commercial and

industrial businesses, as well as City operations and events. A top priority goal of this Plan is to

improve the quality of all recycling services and materials in Eden Prairie in order to increase

participation and recovery of recyclable materials.

This Plan provides a comprehensive and long-term planning horizon spanning ten years using a

phased approach over this time period to accommodate multiple goals and objectives. The Plan

outlines fourteen categories and a total of 52 individual strategies within those categories. Ten

strategies have been proposed as “high priority” and are listed in this Executive Summary below.

Strategy numbers were assigned for tracking purposes only and are not intended to be a measure

of importance. Due to resource constraints, proposed regulatory changes and other reasons, the

City cannot manage all of these strategies at the same time.

High Priority Strategies for City of Eden Prairie Solid Waste Management Plan

Strategy 4. Develop materials and provide education at City events such as the Green

Fair, Citywide Open House, Sustainable Eden Prairie Tour, etc.

Strategy 12. Evaluate the past success, new opportunities for improvement, and

alternatives for the City’s Community Drop-Off Day event.

Strategy 19. Evaluate the Minnesota Recycling Education Committee (REC) guidelines

on how to promote traditional recyclables and organics recycling programs and determine

how these could be incorporated into the City’s education program.

Strategy 20. Evaluate current recycling requirements at multifamily properties and

establish an inspection program.

Strategy 26. Evaluate what resources and site improvements would be required for the

City to develop yard waste drop-off sites.

Strategy 27. Conduct a cost analysis for development of a drop-off site for tree

branches, garden waste and leaves only, but no grass clippings. Evaluate the need for a

seasonal operating schedule (e.g., spring and fall months only).

Strategy 29. Promote use of existing, non-City owned facilities that allow Eden Prairie

residents to bring in yard waste, grass clippings, brush, stumps, logs etc.

vi Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC Eden Prairie Solid Waste Management Plan

Strategy 31. Evaluate current residential curbside yard waste collection services and

seasonal trends and make recommendations for improvement.

Strategy 33. Adopt a management plan that complies with the new County requirements

for residential curbside organics recycling.

Strategy 39. Evaluate barriers and constraints for outside container (e.g., dumpster)

placement related to commercial requirements for organics and traditional recycling.

Eden Prairie’s intent is to work with commercial establishments to upgrade enclosure facilities if

needed to come into compliance with both County and City standards. For example, as a rule,

older enclosures were designed for trash only or trash and recycling dumpsters. There may be a

need for new commercial buildings to design and install larger enclosures to accommodate an

additional dumpster for traditional recyclables and/or organics recycling. This will be a long-

term and ongoing strategy that needs collaboration from all parties, the City, the County, and

commercial business owners.

Nineteen (19) strategies may require amendments to City Code. These amendment strategies

should be considered as a package of new policy initiatives in 2019.

Many of the strategies in this Plan are required by the new Hennepin County Solid Waste Master

Plan which implements the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Metropolitan Solid Waste

Policy Plan. State law requires these higher levels of government to adopt such plans every six

years.

Most strategies propose that the City take the lead role in implementation. But a few strategies

propose that Hennepin County should take the lead for implementation based on the framework

established in the County’s Master Plan and recent amendments to the County’s Recycling

Ordinance 13. For example, concerning the proposed commercial organics recycling

requirements, the County will take the lead on the education, technical assistance and

enforcement with commercial establishments.

As an integral part of this Plan, implementation of strategies is proposed to be phased over time

to correspond with the priority assignments and whether the City has a lead role.

Eden Prairie Solid Waste Management Plan Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC 1

1 Introduction

In 2017, the City launched Sustainable Eden Prairie, an ongoing effort focused on education

and implementation of sustainable practices to protect the environment and natural resources.

Leading by example, the City’s goal for this initiative is to provide a foundation for residents and

businesses to carry out sustainable practices in four areas: energy, landscape, waste and water.

This initiative is intended to create a legacy of sustainability in the community so future

generations of Eden Prairie residents continue to benefit from the natural resources they enjoy

today.

1.1 Purpose, Goals and Objectives

One goal of Sustainable Eden Prairie, and the purpose of this project, is to adopt a ten year

Solid Waste Management Plan (Plan) for the City that establishes strategies for management of

solid waste, recyclables, organics and yard waste for single-family residents, multifamily

residents, institutions, commercial and industrial businesses, as well as City operations and

events.

The goals of this Plan are to:

Improve recycling services in Eden Prairie in order to improve the quality of the

recyclable materials collected and increase participation and recovery of recyclable

materials.

Increase the efficiency of overall solid waste management, including, trash, recyclables,

yard waste, bulky waste, and organics.

Increase the engagement and education of the community about the importance of

reducing, reusing and recycling.

The primary objectives of this Plan are to:

Develop a 10-year vision with specific strategies for improvements in solid waste

management for Eden Prairie residents and businesses.

Develop a viable plan that works for Eden Prairie residents to comply with new Hennepin

County requirements for curbside recycling of organics.

Develop a set of strategies to improve recycling at multifamily properties.

Improve yard waste management.

Enhance collection services for bulky waste items.

Develop a comprehensive set of specific strategies and education actions for other waste

reduction, recycling and solid waste management elements.

1.2 Community Engagement and Plan Adoption Schedule

The City’s Department of Public Works retained the consulting services of Foth Infrastructure &

Environment, LLC (Foth) to assist with community engagement, research and strategic planning

related to this Plan.

2 Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC Eden Prairie Solid Waste Management Plan

The community engagement process included the following:

Meeting with relevant staff from other City Departments.

Presentations and discussions at the Conservation Commission.

Meeting with haulers licensed in the City for single and multifamily properties.

Presentation and discussion at City Council workshops in 2017 and 2018.

An open house for community members.

A community engagement survey using the City Connect online platform.

Social media postings (e.g., Facebook).

Articles in the City Newsletter, Life in the Prairie.

A survey for licensed haulers to gather information on specific strategies.

Based on comments from these events, surveys and other feedback, key strategies were drafted.

Multiple viewpoints were considered, many with consensus and others with differing opinions.


2 Current City Solid Waste and Recycling Systems

2.1 Open Hauling Systems

Trash and recyclables collection in Eden Prairie uses the “open hauling” system whereby

residents and businesses are required to contract with the licensed hauler of their choice. City

and County ordinances specify materials that are required to be recycled, solid waste storage and

collection service standards. However, the types of waste materials (e.g., trash, recyclables,

organics, etc.) accepted by each hauler do vary. For example, some haulers accept additional

plastics. The City lists the licensed haulers and links to the County’s recycling information on

the Eden Prairie web page, Garbage and Recycling. This web page also links to the map of City

Residential Garbage Collection Zones that outlines the boundaries of the specific trash and

recyclables collection days, Monday through Friday, within Eden Prairie.

2.2 Residential Curbside Recycling

In Eden Prairie, licensed trash haulers are required by City Code to provide recycling services to

single and multifamily households. Working closely with Hennepin County, the City publishes

an annual Recycling Guide that itemizes the current list of recyclable materials required for

curbside collection. The City’s Guide also provides information on recyclable materials and

household hazardous waste items accepted at the Hennepin County Drop-Off Facilities in

Bloomington and Brooklyn Park.

2.3 Community Drop-Off Day

The City’s web page, Community Drop-Off Day, provides information on how City residents

can, once per year, get rid of unwanted items that can’t be disposed of in their trash or recycling

carts. Residents are encouraged to bring items such as brush, bulky items, appliances, bikes and

much more for recycling, reuse or disposal.

The event is open to Eden Prairie residents and has become very popular. The following

categories of materials have been accepted at the City’s annual Community Drop-Off Day event

historically:

Large items of trash This category includes larger items that cannot be

put in trash or recycling such as furniture, toys,

artificial Christmas trees, mattresses and more.

Appliances, Electronics, and Tires Items such as these are accepted with a fee.

Fluorescent Light Bulbs Lights and ballast are accepted.

Construction & Demolition Materials

and Steel

Non-hazardous construction & demolition (C&D)

waste from residential homes is accepted, including

materials such as: gypsum board, bricks, studs,

shingles and more. Separated, recyclable steel

scrap items are also accepted.

Brush & Tree Waste Acceptable items include brush, tree branches and

leaves. Items such as grass clippings, mulch/wood

chips or soil are not allowed.

http://www.edenprairie.org/community/sustainable-eden-prairie/waste/garbage-and-recycling

http://www.edenprairie.org/home/showdocument?id=1067


https://www.hennepin.us/residents/recycling-hazardous-waste/drop-off-facilities

http://www.edenprairie.org/community/sustainable-eden-prairie/waste/community-drop-off-day


No hazardous waste is accepted at the City’s annual Community Drop-Off Day and this Plan

does not anticipate including addition of these types of materials. Residents are instead

encouraged to dispose of these items properly at the Hennepin County Drop-Off Facilities or at

local hazardous waste drop-off events sponsored by Hennepin County.

2.4 Other Public Education, Waste Reduction and Recycling

Programs

Eden Prairie has a comprehensive approach to community engagement and public education

within all of its government programs and services, including recycling and other aspects of solid

waste management. The City maintains a web page, Garbage and Recycling, that outlines the

general solid waste requirements and recycling opportunities. Each year, the City publishes its

Recycling Guide that provides information that residents can use to participate in the current

recycling and disposal programs.

The City’s newsletter, Life in the Prairie, comes out twice per year and regularly includes

articles on reuse, recycling and many other sustainability topics. The City has been recognized

by the State of Minnesota and Hennepin County for other sustainability efforts such as waste

reduction and recycling campaigns. For example, Eden Prairie earned designation as a

Minnesota GreenStep City that is a statewide program to help cities achieve sustainability and

quality-of-life goals. The City also utilizes other forms of public education and community

outreach including social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter and Nextdoor) and public engagement

platforms such as City Connect to allow residents to more easily share thoughts, ideas and

insights.

Eden Prairie participates in many of the Hennepin County waste reduction initiatives. Waste

reduction, sometimes referred to as source reduction, includes policies and strategies that prevent

waste from being generated. In the past, the City has conducted the following promotional and

educational programs:

Hosted a County Fix-It Clinic that provide opportunities for residents to get household

items fixed for free and learn valuable repair skills.

Participated in the County’s Choose to Reuse coupon program that allows residents to

find great deals on quality products, support local businesses and help to protect the

environment. Coupons are valid at 59 local businesses and organizations that rent, repair,

resell, consign or exchange used goods.

Promoted the County’s Zero Waste Challenge program to help residents discover more

opportunities to increase recycling and reduce waste. Participants receive various

recycling and waste reduction supplies, personalized coaching, free workshops, and other

assistance.

Encouraged participation in the County’s Master Recycler Program.

Promoted use of the Hennepin County Drop-Off Facilities in Bloomington and Brooklyn

Park. Among other recyclable materials, these County drop-off facilities accept clothing,

linens, rags and other textiles that are no longer suitable for reuse, including shoes,

curtains, pillows, and stuffed toys.




http://www.edenprairie.org/community/news/life-in-the-prairie-newsletter

http://www.edenprairie.org/Home/Components/News/News/5237/1810


https://greenstep.pca.state.mn.us/cityInfo.cfm?ctu_code=2394614

http://www.edenprairie.org/community/stay-connected/city-connect

https://www.hennepin.us/fixitclinic


https://www.hennepin.us/residents/recycling-hazardous-waste/zero-waste-challenge

https://www.hennepin.us/residents/recycling-hazardous-waste/become-master-recycler

https://www.hennepin.us/green-disposal-guide/drop-off-facilities


In addition, each licensed hauler in the City is required to provide information to their single-

family residential customers annually (Source: City Code Section 5.36, Subd. 6. L). The

following must be provided at a minimum:

One educational piece of literature or one educational flyer in a format approved by

Hennepin County to each Single Family and Multiple Family Household who has

Curbside Recycling Service.

At a minimum, the materials that are collected for Curbside Recycling must be included.

2.5 Yard Waste

Yard waste is prohibited by state law from being mixed with the trash, landfilled, or processed at

resource recovery facilities. Yard waste not managed on site at the household or business

property is either collected by licensed haulers using separate collection vehicles, disposed of by

commercial landscaping contractors (such as lawn services), or gathered by residents to drop-off

at yard waste collection sites. Eden Prairie currently has no municipal yard waste programs

other than allowing residents to drop-off brush and tree waste at the Community Drop-Off Day.

For public information about yard waste options, the City’s garbage and recycling web page

links to the County’s Yard and Tree Waste web page. Existing drop-off sites identified by

Hennepin County as sites that Eden Prairie residents can use are listed in Table 1 and displayed

in a map in Figure 1.

There are four types of sites listed in Table 1 and Figure 1:

Yard waste (YW) (no organics allowed).

Yard waste and organics.

Organics only.

Brush/tree waste only (no grass or leaves).

Two of the twelve (12) sites are publicly owned and operated by Hennepin County:

Hennepin County Recycling Center and Transfer Station in Brooklyn Park (#3); and

Hennepin County South Recycling and Problem Materials Center (#12)

Both of these sites accept organics only (i.e., no yard waste) from residents.

All sites listed in Table 1 are open to Eden Prairie residents. Additional sites are maintained by

other municipalities, but are not open to residents from other cities for disposal. While there are

numerous sites in the area, most of the sites listed in Table 1 and displayed in Figure 1 are at

least ten miles away.

2.6 Organics Recycling

Currently there are no structured residential curbside organics collection services in the City.

Residents can take organic materials for recycling to locations outside of Eden Prairie, such as

the Hennepin County Drop-off Facility in Brooklyn Park. However, these drop-off sites are far

https://www.hennepin.us/green-disposal-guide/items/yard-tree-waste


enough away that they are not very convenient or practical. The City does have organics

recycling bins located throughout the City Center for people who work in the building or visit the

City Center.

This Plan assumes that many commercial businesses in Eden Prairie that currently generate

larger volumes of clean food scraps (e.g., restaurants, hotels, institutions, and other

establishments with kitchens that prepare food for many people) may already be reducing and/or

recycling their organics. However, there is no definitive list of commercial establishments in the

City that have ongoing food rescue or organics recycling programs.


Figure 1

Current Yard Waste and Organics Drop-Off Sites


DRAFT as of October 10, 2018

Table 1

List of Yard Waste and Organics Sites

ID Type Public or

Private County City Site Name

1 YW + Organics Private Dakota Rosemount The Mulch Store (SET) - Empire Township

2 YW + Organics Private Scott Shakopee Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

(SMSC): Organics Recycling Facility

3 Organics only Public Hennepin Brooklyn Park Hennepin County Recycling Center and

Transfer Station

4 YW only Private Dakota Burnsville The Mulch Store - Burnsville

5 YW only Private Dakota Eagan Gerten’s Eagan Yard Waste

6 YW only Public Dakota South St. Paul South Saint Paul Compost Site

7 YW only Private Hennepin Minneapolis SKB Malcolm Avenue Transfer Station

8 YW only Private Hennepin Brooklyn Park Ceres Mulch

9 YW only Private Hennepin Minnetrista The Mulch Store - Minnetrista

10 YW only Private Scott Shakopee The Mulch Store - Shakopee

11 Brush/Tree Waste only Private Dakota South St. Paul S&S Tree Horticultural Specialists

12 Organics only Public Hennepin Bloomington Hennepin County South Recycling and

Problem Materials Center


2.7 Multifamily Recycling

The City requires that multifamily properties provide for adequate recycling containers per City

Code (Section 9.01, Subd. 4). However, monitoring and enforcement of compliance with these

City requirements is challenging due to the large number of multifamily properties and dwelling

units. Table 2 displays the Eden Prairie 2017 housing stock in terms of the number of dwelling

units by building size/type as reported by the City’s Planning Department. About 49 percent of

the dwelling units in Eden Prairie are in buildings that are not single-family dwellings.

Table 2

City of Eden Prairie (2017)

Number of Dwelling Units by Type/Size of Building

Number of

Dwelling Units

Percent of

Total

Single-Family Units (One unit per building)

13,348 51%

Multiple Family Units (Duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, condominiums,

co-operatives, etc.) 6,948 26%

Apartments 6,134 23%

TOTAL 26,430 100%

Source: City of Eden Prairie, Planning Department

Housing Units / Population (12/31/2017)

Hennepin County reports that service levels (container sizes and collection frequency) at some

multifamily properties may not be adequate for the volumes generated. According to the

Hennepin County Multifamily Waste Study published in September 2017, on average throughout

the County, only about 33 percent of recyclable materials generated by multifamily residents is

set out for recycling.

This is due in part to the following causes:

Lack of adequate recycling bin capacity and/or service levels causing recycling bins at

multifamily properties to be full leading residents to place recyclables in the trash instead.

The trash dumpsters are not always paired with adjacent recycling bins so recyclables

may get trashed instead of finding the recycling bin location.

Lack of adequate space within enclosures (i.e., used exclusively for trash dumpsters).

Language barriers may prevent easy/effective communications.

Turnover of building owners, managers and tenants can be high, resulting in challenges

in providing continuous and consistent education and enforcement.

https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/your-government/projects-initiatives/documents/multifamily-waste-study-2017.pdf?la=en&hash=A4132FC57564138C8F1755EAC03B978EBBB42C0A


Because of the unsupervised nature of multifamily recycling containers, haulers and material

recovery facilities (MRFs) have expressed concern with the high rate of contamination of

recyclables collected from many of the multifamily properties. Contamination rates of

multifamily recycling streams is estimated as 24 percent by the Hennepin County Multifamily

Waste Study.

To make recycling universally recognizable and help residents know which items should go in

the proper container, the County has created and promoted the use of labels with consistent color

schemes and icons along with images and clear text.

2.8 Other Commercial Recycling

City ordinance requires that recycling services be provided in some office, industrial, and

commercial establishments. Commercial businesses must also be consistent with State law

(Minn. Stats. §115a.151) that now requires larger commercial establishments in the Metro Area

to have separate recycling collection services.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and metro counties help promote compliance

with this new commercial recycling law. For more information see the MPCA’s web page

Recycle at Your Business and/or Hennepin County’s web page Business Recycling.

https://www.pca.state.mn.us/waste/recycling-your-business

https://www.hennepin.us/businessrecycling


3 Metro and County Plans

3.1 Metro Policy Plan by MPCA

As required by Minnesota Statutes, the Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan

(Metro Policy Plan) establishes the plan for managing the Metropolitan Area’s solid waste. The

Metro Policy Plan is prepared every six years by the MPCA with input from other state agencies,

county staff, city staff, and a variety of other stakeholders: representatives of the waste and

recycling industry, environmental groups, businesses, and citizens. Once adopted, the Metro

Policy Plan sets in motion the process for the seven Metropolitan Area counties to develop more

detailed county master plans. These county master plans address the specific strategies, projects

and programs to be implemented within the individual counties to meet the goals, policies and

objectives of the Metro Policy Plan. Any solid waste activity within the Metropolitan Area must

be consistent with the Metro Policy Plan and the appropriate county master plans.

3.2 Hennepin County Master Plan

The most recent Hennepin County Solid Waste Management Master Plan (County Master Plan)

was adopted by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners on November 28, 2017. The

County Master plan provided a broad policy framework for the drafting of a specific regulatory

recycling ordinance (i.e., “Ordinance 13”). The County’s revised Recycling Ordinance 13 was

adopted on November 27, 2018. The County Master Plan for 2018 - 2023 identifies multiple

strategies the County will pursue to reach the goals of recycling 75 percent of waste and sending

zero waste to landfills by 2030.

The County Master Plan includes the following strategies:

Focus on organics recycling, which is the greatest opportunity to reduce trash, by

proposing requirements for cities and certain businesses, increasing local capacity to

manage organics, and working to prevent food waste.

Build momentum for waste prevention and reuse by better understanding consumption

habits and promoting waste prevention actions.

Continue to serve residents where they are, including with single-family and multifamily

residences and at work, school, and on-the-go.

Expand drop-off disposal options for certain materials.

Divert construction & demolition waste.

Support the MPCA’s environmental justice policy, which aligns with the county’s

disparity reduction efforts.

Hennepin County’s recycling ordinance (Ordinance 13) was recently revised with a focus on

increasing organics recycling. The County’s Ordinance 13 is important for the City because it

spells out the specific details of city requirements. Eden Prairie must implement certain

elements of the County’s recycling ordinance in order to remain in compliance and continue to

receive the maximum amount of County grant funds for recycling. Because organic materials,

which includes food, non-recyclable paper, and compostable products, currently make up about

https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/w-sw7-21.pdf

https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/your-government/projects-initiatives/documents/Hennepin-County-Solid-Waste-Management-Master-Plan-for-2018---2023.pdf?la=en&hash=A1F725F188431EC10F653696D9B2EB1ABF3F9D95

https://www.hennepin.us/solidwasteplanning

https://www.hennepin.us/your-government/ordinances/ordinance-13


25 percent of the trash, increasing organics recycling is an important step toward meeting the

State of Minnesota and County goal of recycling 75 percent of waste by 2030.

Key provisions in the County’s recent recycling ordinance revisions include:

Requirements for businesses that generate large quantities of food waste to start food

waste recycling by 2020.

Guidelines for cities to require implementation of curbside organics recycling service to

residents with curbside collection (residential buildings through eight-plexes) by 2022.

In open hauling cities such as Eden Prairie, new City licensing requirements specifying

that haulers must provide organics collection similar to the recycling requirements

currently in City Code will comply with this proposed County ordinance requirement.

Updates to the multifamily recycling requirements to add service level standards and

education and labeling requirements.

Requirements for businesses to meet the state recycling requirements, service level

standards, and labeling requirements.

3.3 Roles and Responsibilities Assigned to Each Level of

Government

State law requires the MPCA to adopt the Metro Policy Plan and counties to adopt their

individual master plans. As a general rule, counties have responsibility for implementing

comprehensive solid waste plans within their jurisdictions. In the Metro Area, counties have

generally delegated the responsibility for management of solid waste collection, including

residential recyclables collection, to their respective cities and townships.

The City is not required to develop a solid waste management plan; however Eden Prairie must

meet the new requirements established in the County Plan. The City determined that

development of this Solid Waste Management Plan would be a good tool to review the new

requirements and establish goals and policies to meet these objectives tailored to the needs of

Eden Prairie residents and businesses.

Eden Prairie has historically elected to maintain open hauling systems for trash and recycling and

manage the collection standards through ordinance requirements. The City has always

collaborated with Hennepin County when conducting public education and outreach to enhance

recycling systems.

The County has outlined a division of city vs. County implementation roles and responsibilities.

For example, cities are required to:

Implement residential curbside organics collection programs.

Assist with evaluating barriers and opportunities for expanded enclosures for commercial

buildings, if needed.

Enforce multifamily recycling requirements for the “opportunities to recycle” provisions

of State and County policies (i.e., with multifamily property owners and managers).


The County will do the following:

Implement and enforce the commercial recycling programs.

Enforce the collection standards (i.e., frequency of collection, container size, container

labeling, and other public education requirements) at multifamily buildings.

In this Plan, Eden Prairie has placed a higher priority on strategies that cities are required to

implement. The City will support County-implemented strategies. This division of roles and

responsibilities for each strategy in this Plan is outlined in general terms in Appendix B.


4 Eden Prairie Strategies

The following strategies for improved solid waste management in Eden Prairie form the

backbone of this Plan. Strategies are listed under categories of activities or types of waste to

help frame the outline of this Plan. Discussion and clarification of each strategy is provided only

when needed; otherwise, some of the strategies speak for themselves without elaboration.

4.1 Education

Public education and outreach is a critical element of any successful solid waste and recycling

system. Due to changing technologies and end markets for recyclables, recycling instructions for

residents and businesses can also change rapidly.

Industry professionals recommend consistent message guidelines to help standardize public

information. This standardized messaging is being developed in Minnesota through the

Recycling Education Committee (REC) coordinated by the MPCA.

Hennepin County is adding requirements for enhanced multifamily recycling and new organics

recycling services that the City must implement which will include standards for new and

improved educational messages and/or initiatives. (See Sections 4.5 and 4.7 for more details

related to these County requirements).

All of these dynamics necessitate a comprehensive, long-ranged approach to City-provided

public education and outreach for residents and businesses within the community. The City will

need to implement new public education messages in phases that correspond to the planned

system changes. For example, after the adoption of this Plan, the City should focus on public

information needed for meaningful community engagement in the ordinance amendments

required to implement major new elements of the system (e.g., curbside organics recycling,

multifamily recycling, etc.).

At the same time, ongoing public education systems should be maintained and enhanced (e.g.,

emphasizing the need to “recycle right” and reduce contamination of the recycling stream) to

improve traditional recycling. There is also a need to work with the licensed haulers to help

ensure the messages provided are consistent with the City’s educational priorities and/or

programs.

The City should implement the following strategies in a phased approach to improve and

enhance public education services for Eden Prairie residents and businesses. The strategies listed

in this Plan are not ranked in order of importance but are simply categorized similar to other

solid waste management plans.

Strategy 1. Evaluate current use of education tools such as print, web-based, social

media, Environmental Learning Center (ELC), etc. and determine ways in which these

tools may be improved or expanded. [Medium priority]


Program elements at Eden Prairie’s ELC or the local library could be added or modified to

include more information about recycling, solid waste management, composting and organics

recycling. Another option would be to provide education through activities such as contests for

local students to produce short videos for use online and/or at the ELC.

Strategy 2. Conduct surveys for residents and businesses to gauge understanding of

recycling, organics, composting, beneficial use of grass clippings, hazardous waste

disposal, solid waste, etc. This could be a combination of web-based and in-person

surveys. [Low priority]

This strategy should be conducted prior to implementing a residential curbside organics program

to allow for a “before and after” comparison of residents’ awareness and opinions about the new

service. This survey should provide for a means to measure a shift in awareness about key solid

waste issues over time.

Strategy 3. Encourage and promote the County’s “Master Recycler” program and

evaluate potential opportunities for graduates to assist with education and outreach within

Eden Prairie for recycling, yard waste management or other elements of this Plan.

Engage the County to determine how the City can assist in continuing this education

program into the future. [Low priority]

The City should develop an ongoing list of Eden Prairie residents that have graduated from the

County’s Master Recycler program. In coordination with County staff, the City could contact

these Master Recyclers with proposed opportunities for outreach within Eden Prairie.

Strategy 4. Develop materials and provide education at City events such as the Green

Fair, Citywide Open House, Sustainable Eden Prairie Tour, etc. [High priority]

This strategy may be just one of the many education and outreach opportunities for resident

Master Recyclers. Potentially this might be an opportunity for Sustainable Eden Prairie award

recipients to share their projects with the public during sustainability and other special events.

Strategy 5. Provide opportunities for continued involvement of students in the City’s

Conservation Commission. [Medium priority]

Strategy 6. Develop educational materials for “Move In / Move Out” to properly recycle

and dispose of moving materials from homes and businesses. [Low priority]

The materials would be developed with a visual focus and an understanding of potential

language and cultural barriers.

Strategy 7. Partner with Chamber of Commerce, Lion’s, Rotary and other local business

organizations to optimize the effectiveness of City staff resources. [Medium priority]

http://www.edenprairie.org/community/sustainable-eden-prairie/environmental-learning-center

https://www.hennepin.us/residents/recycling-hazardous-waste/become-master-recycler


In addition to the County, other opportunities exist for the City to contact organizations such as

the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce and Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation (a nonprofit

affiliate of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce) to help coordinate a plan for assisting Eden

Prairie businesses in enhancing their recycling programs.

4.2 Waste Reduction

Waste reduction will continue to play an important role in overall solid waste management as a

strategy to reduce upstream generation of waste. The strategies below will help the City make

positive long-term impacts on waste generation.

Strategy 8. Expand promotion of reusables through events including the Hennepin

County Fix-It Clinics for repair and reuse of materials as well as other County initiatives.

[Medium priority]

The City should continue to promote County programs such as their Fix-It Clinics. The City

could also evaluate reusable products for distribution at City events, such as water bottles,

reusable sandwich bags, reusable shopping bags or compostable silverware along with

information on items such as reusable products or waste reduction techniques.

Strategy 9. Expand use of materials exchanges such as The Freecycle Network, Twin

Cities Free Market, or Nextdoor events to encourage material exchanges within

neighborhoods. [Low priority]

The Freecycle Network is a national non-profit organization and online, web-based platform to

promote the reuse of household items shared between local residents. The Twin Cities Free

Market is a resident to resident reuse program of Eureka Recycling. Neighbors could also post

on Nextdoor, a free neighborhood networking and social media platform, about items for reuse.

Strategy 10. Develop opportunities to partner with thrift/reuse stores, non-profits or

commercial entities to expand collection of reusable or recyclable materials. This

includes charitable giving of unused food items (e.g., dry goods, etc.). [Medium priority]

The City could assist in providing a go to resource such as a link to the County’s Choose to

Reuse list of charitable and other used material thrift stores and organizations through the

website or at events. Examples of such organizations include: the PROP Shop, Simple

Recycling; Vietnam Veterans of America; Lupus Foundation; Epilepsy Foundation of

Minnesota; The ReUse Store; and/or Salvation Army.

Strategy 11. Enhance promotion of the use of mulch and backyard composting to reduce

compostable materials from entering the waste stream. [Medium priority]

This strategy should be coupled with other yard waste strategies (see also Section 4.6 - Yard

Waste Management for more details).

https://epchamber.org/

http://www.mnwastewise.org/about-us/

https://www.hennepin.us/fixitclinic

https://www.freecycle.org/

https://twincitiesfreemarket.org/

https://twincitiesfreemarket.org/

https://nextdoor.com/about_us/

https://www.hennepin.us/choose-to-reuse

https://www.hennepin.us/choose-to-reuse

http://www.propshopep.org/


4.3 Recycling Drop-Off Services

The Community Drop-Off Day program has been evolving over several years (see Section 2.3 –

Community Drop-Off Day). Further improvements are under consideration to help address

additional recycling and waste disposal needs of City residents and businesses.

Strategy 12. Evaluate the past success, new opportunities for improvement, and

alternatives for the City’s Community Drop-Off Day event. [High priority]

The City will evaluate the past success and need for additional opportunities for the Community

Drop-Off Day event. This would include consideration of items such as partnering with

neighboring communities to cost-share and/or cross-promote events or include smaller, more

targeted drop-off events for individual items. In addition, there are commodities not currently

recycled during the Community Drop-Off Day program that may be such as mattresses and

carpet.

Strategy 13. Explore the need to provide additional recycling, such as for cardboard,

potentially in coordination with a yard waste drop-off site. [Medium priority]

The generation of cardboard and other packing materials is increasing due to the use of online

shopping and direct shipments (e.g., Amazon, Wayfair, etc.). The current Community Drop-Off

Day program includes bins for traditional recyclables but does not satisfy the ongoing needs for

residents and small businesses in Eden Prairie to recycle items such as cardboard. For example,

expanding cardboard recycling service may need to include a convenient year-round drop-off

site.

Strategy 14. Promote the Hennepin County Drop-Off Facilities in Bloomington and

Brooklyn Park. [Medium priority]

Hennepin County just recently added organics to the list of eligible recyclables at its South

Recycling and Problem Material Drop-Off Center. (See site #12 list on Table 1 and shown in

Figure 1.) The City can help satisfy some of the need for additional recycling, both traditional

and organics, as well as waste disposal services through enhanced promotion of the County’s

Drop-Off Facilities.

4.4 Residential Curbside Recycling of Traditional Recyclables

One of the City’s principle responsibilities is to manage the implementation of the residential

curbside recycling of traditional recyclables (see Section 2.2 for more information about the

City’s current Residential Curbside Recycling system). This cornerstone service can be

improved to increase resident participation and the quality of materials recovered. The following

strategies could be implemented in a phased approach to improve curbside recycling.

Strategy 15. Evaluate third-party, online, web-based promotion tools to determine if

they could be implemented in the City. [Low priority]




There are a number of web-based services available today that can help promote curbside

recycling. Many of these new technology solutions allow for mobile applications (apps) to send

reminders about recycling collection days and acceptable materials. Known recycling promotion

technology services include (but are not limited to):

iRecycle (Earth911, Inc.)

My Waste (Municipal Media, Inc.)

ReCollect (ReCollect Systems, Inc.)

Recycle Coach (Municipal Media, Inc.)

RecycleSearch (Emerge Knowledge Design, Inc.)

Recycle Track Systems (Recycle Track Systems, Inc.)

Some cities and counties have developed their own apps, in some cases using the services of

these or other existing private technology solutions developers. Eden Prairie should first

determine the need by residents for such a technology solution and then, if appropriate, develop a

set of objectives and system design criteria.

Strategy 16. Evaluate the need for contract recycling and/or organics recycling as a

means to decrease truck traffic and enhance residential recycling through a more

standardized collection services agreement. [Low priority]

At this stage, the City will evaluate this strategy by reviewing other voluntary strategies listed in

this Plan first before determining if this may be required to improve curbside recycling systems.

Strategy 16 should be considered within the context of the residential curbside organics

requirements (see the discussion above Strategy 33 in Section 4.7.1) regarding reducing truck

traffic. Strategy 16 may become more important if the City and/or haulers implement the

curbside organics collection method using a separate cart and separate truck. Strategy 16 should

also be considered within the context of discussions of Strategy 52 to evaluate the number of

licensed haulers (see Section 4.14).

Strategy 17. Evaluate how recycling is scheduled and determine if improvements could

be made to provide consistent scheduling citywide. [Medium priority]

Residential curbside recycling collection is provided every other week by all haulers in Eden

Prairie within the designated days of the week by Garbage & Recycling Collection Zones.

However, the recycling weeks are not synchronized and haulers use a different collection

schedule which adds confusion to some residents about when to set out their recyclables. One

possible tactic could be for the City to designate and promote a uniform, citywide recycling

schedule with specified recycling weeks throughout the year.

Strategy 18. Evaluate population metrics in relation to existing garbage and recycling

zones and determine if modifications are needed. [Low priority]

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/irecycle/id312708176?mt=8

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-waste/id493621739?mt=8

https://recollect.net/solutions/waste/

https://solutions.recyclecoach.com/

https://recyclesearch.com/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/recycle-track-systems/id1072934144?mt=8



The City’s existing garbage and recycling zones were originally set up about 25 years ago. The

geographic characteristics of Eden Prairie’s population and housing have changed since then

such that adjustments to these boundaries could potentially increase efficiency. However, this

would be a major effort for the City and the haulers to change the zone boundaries. Therefore,

Strategy 18 should be delayed for coordination with other programs such as residential curbside

organics collection (see Strategy 33 in Section 4.7.1).

Strategy 19. Evaluate the Minnesota Recycling Education Committee guidelines on how

to promote traditional recyclables and organics recycling programs and determine how

these could be incorporated into the City’s education program. [High priority]

As a general rule, the recycling and waste industry is evolving to emphasize recyclable material

quality as a priority over increasing tonnage. There are a wide array of recyclable material types.

Standardized messaging will help reduce confusion and simplify public education.

The REC is finalizing the current version of its Recycling Outreach Guide (not yet officially

published) and is expected to be finished sometime in 2019. The City should carefully compare

the final REC lists of “accepted” recyclable items vs. “not accepted” and consider adjusting its

requirements for haulers and public education accordingly.

4.5 Multifamily Recycling of Traditional Recyclables

The City of Eden Prairie has implemented improvements to encourage compliance with its

existing City Code requirements (Section 9.01, Subd. 4) for recycling and other solid waste

services at multifamily properties.

An evaluation could be conducted to determine the most appropriate mix of roles and

responsibilities between the City and County and determine areas that need additional

improvements. Many of the standardized labels, posters and other education tools are available

from the County. Monitoring and enforcement of requirements at multifamily buildings in Eden

Prairie will require coordination between the City and County.

Hennepin County has elevated improvements to multifamily services for traditional recyclables

as one of their top priorities within the County’s new Master Plan. The revisions to the County’s

Recycling Ordinance 13 include updates to the multifamily recycling requirements to add service

level standards, labeling and other education requirements and County enforcement authority.

The Ordinance 13 revisions confirms the County requirements for each city to have and enforce

its ordinance for multifamily properties. The County’s current focus is on improvements to

traditional recycling for multifamily residents. Adding organics collection services at

multifamily properties is a lower priority and will not be required by the County at this time.

Strategy 20. Evaluate current recycling requirements at multifamily properties and

establish an inspection program. [High priority]

This City’s inspection program could be established on a rotating basis such that each

multifamily building is inspected at a minimum of once every three to five years depending on

the results of the inspection.

https://www.edenprairie.org/home/showdocument?id=1067


Strategy 21. Evaluate the City’s current education program and determine if

opportunities exist for additional technical assistance, public education, and outreach to

encourage multifamily recycling. [Medium priority]

Most of the City’s multifamily properties public education tools are the same as single-family. A

review of the need to provide additional outreach tools and information in additional languages

could be considered (e.g., web page information about recycling instructions).

The current City Code of ordinances (Section 9.01, 4.B) states that:

“The owner of a Multiple Family Dwelling must provide information to the

occupants of each dwelling unit which notifies the occupants of the

availability of Collection services, clearly describes and lists the procedures

required to prepare the Recyclable Waste for Collection, and identifies the

dates and times of Collection.”

Strategy 22. Evaluate County Recycling Ordinance 13 requirements for standardized

labeling on multifamily recycling and trash containers and determine if City Code

changes are needed. [Medium priority]

Strategy 23. Evaluate current requirements for recycling and solid waste reporting

related to multifamily recycling and determine if the City should incorporate additional

requirements into City Code or clarify existing ones. [Medium priority]

Strategy 24. Evaluate barriers and constraints for the addition of containers (e.g.,

dumpster) related to multifamily properties for organics or traditional recycling.

[Medium priority]

Eden Prairie’s intent is to work with multifamily property owners and managers to upgrade

enclosure and disposal facilities in order to make sorting recyclables and trash easier and to come

into compliance with both County and City standards. For example, as a general rule, older

enclosures were designed only for trash dumpsters. There may be a need for to design and install

larger enclosures to accommodate an additional dumpster for traditional recyclables. This will

be a long-term and ongoing strategy that needs collaboration from all parties, the City, the

County, and multifamily property owners.

Strategy 25. Evaluate current requirements for collection of and education on recycling

and solid waste related to multifamily buildings and determine if additional requirements

should be incorporated into existing City Code. [Medium priority]

Now that Ordinance 13 has been adopted by the County Board, City and County staff should

meet to further map out the details of an implementation strategy, including how the two

governments plan to cooperate on enforcement.


4.6 Yard Waste Management

The City is currently evaluating a wide range of options for improving yard waste collection

services for Eden Prairie residents. The four broad categories of yard waste include:

Grass and leaves

Brush and small tree waste

Stumps and logs

Storm damaged tree waste

Section 2.5 briefly outlined the current services and facilities available for residents to dispose of

different yard waste materials. Many residents have stated a need for improved yard waste

disposal services, but the full extent of this need has not yet been empirically measured (e.g.,

determining the number of Eden Prairie residents that already subscribe to some type of yard

waste removal service, number of residents that “self-haul”, drop-off sites utilized, etc.).

Strategy 26. Evaluate what resources and site improvements would be required for the

City to develop yard waste drop-off sites. [High priority]

Eden Prairie could use other cities’ yard waste drop-off site designs and operations as case

studies (e.g., facility size, number of customers, staffing, budget requirements, incoming material

specifications, municipal staff vs. contract operations, compost end use, traffic flow, access,

etc.). A siting process would be needed to evaluate potential locations, including access roads,

traffic patterns, etc.

Strategy 27. Conduct a cost analysis for development of a drop-off site for items such as

tree branches, garden waste and leaves only, but no grass clippings. Evaluate the need

for a seasonal operating schedule (e.g., spring and fall months only). [High priority]

This new drop-off site for yard waste would likely not include grass clippings due to the ability

to easily mulch during mowing instead of collecting. Alternative facility design criteria should

be considered to help reduce capital and operating costs. Other means to reduce costs should

also be considered (e.g., sharing the site with a neighboring city, privatization, etc.).

Strategy 28. Provide wood chips, mulch, and/or finished compost at a City-operated

yard waste drop-off site or during events such as the City Community Drop-Off Day as

they are available. [Low priority]

If the City develops a yard waste drop-off site, quality products (e.g., wood chips, mulch, and

finished compost) could be sold at a discount to Eden Prairie residents.

Strategy 29. Promote use of existing, non-City owned facilities that allow Eden Prairie

residents to bring in yard waste, grass clippings, brush, stumps, logs, etc. [High priority]


An immediate next step is to continue promotion of the use of existing neighboring facilities.

This would be a cost-effective way of promoting the service if a new site within the City is

unavailable.

Strategy 30. Encourage backyard composting and mulching and evaluate opportunities

to host or cross-promote a site for a compost bin and/or rain barrel sale with other

organizations or cities. [Low priority]

The City should continue and expand promotions of yard waste reduction methods such as

mulching grass clippings and backyard composting. There may be options to work with the

County or a non-profit such as the Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) to provide sales

events at the City Center or Community Center for compost bins and/or rain barrels.

Strategy 31. Evaluate current residential curbside yard waste collection services and

seasonal trends and make recommendations for improvement. [High priority]

The City could estimate the number of residents that currently subscribe to yard waste collection

service with their hauler. Working with the haulers, the City could analyze current prices,

service levels (e.g., bags vs. carts, limits on amounts of yard waste, Christmas tree collections,

etc.) and customer satisfaction.

A survey of residents could also help establish the need for expanded yard waste services (e.g.,

drop-off sites; additional materials, longer seasons; etc.) and opinions about the current level of

services.

One alternative collection method that has been used by other cities is to instruct residents to

rake their leaves onto the boulevard or into the street (i.e., in the gutter). As a general rule, these

programs use city public works crews to collect the leaves during peak leaf season in the fall.

Different trucks and equipment have been used (e.g., vacuum trucks, front-end-loaders and dump

trucks, etc.).

Advantages of this method include:

Convenient for residents.

Does not require purchase of compostable bags.

Does not require bagging of leaves.

Disadvantages of this method include:

Very seasonal, fall only.

May include grass clippings, garden waste or other materials that are best managed on

site or through disposal at an alternative site.

Collects leaves only (i.e., no brush).


Could cause additional clogging of storm drains and localized flooding when rain or

snow storms occur after residents pile up their leaves into the curb and before the crews

can collect them.

Would also collect sand, grit and other materials from the road surface with the yard

waste. This could reduce the quality of the materials for composting as they mix

vehicle/gasoline by-products, litter, sand or other contaminants that are also swept up.

Would require an amendment to City Code which currently prohibits storage of materials

in the street.

Would require a new resident education and training program.

Expensive to operate compared to the resident yard waste bagging methods (e.g., self-

haul to a yard waste drop-off site or collection with your hauler via subscription service

order) due to the need for dedicated staff time and equipment.

The seasonal demand for public works staff is very acute in the fall (e.g., October and

November) depending on weather conditions and other factors.

Strategy 32. Evaluate need for contingency plans or written policy for a temporary drop-

off site and/or curb-side pickup for storm-damaged tree waste by the City or a private

organization (e.g., part of a broader emergency preparedness plan). [Medium priority].

Currently, the City Manager does have the authority to call an emergency after a storm and

utilize City and/or private crews to collect storm-damaged tree waste.

4.7 Organics Recycling

The City of Eden Prairie does not yet have a structured residential curbside organics recycling

program. Hennepin County as part of the County Master Plan is requiring curbside organics

recycling by January 2022. There are currently nine cities in Hennepin County where organics

recycling service is available citywide and several other cities have limited availability through

one hauler in an open system.

Experience from these programs shows that the best results are achieved when organics

recycling is available citywide, the service is structured so that everyone pays by bundling

organics service with recycling or trash, and implementation is supported by a comprehensive

communications and outreach plan.

4.7.1 Residential Curbside Organics Recycling

There are currently three methods of residential curbside organics collection:

Option 1 - Organics alone, collected in a separate cart using a separate truck.

Option 2 – Organics stored in a durable compostable bag and then “co-collected” with

trash in the resident’s regular trash cart using a regular trash truck and then separating out

the bag of organics at a central facility for transfer to a composting facility.


Option 3 – Organics stored in a durable compostable bag and then “co-collected” with

yard waste in the resident’s yard waste cart using the same yard waste truck and then

separating out the bag of organics at a central facility for transfer to a composting facility

or co-composting the organics and yard waste together.

Option 1 (organics alone) is similar to how Minneapolis has designed and implemented their

curbside organics recycling system. Option 2 (organics co-collected with trash) was

implemented in Wayzata several years ago and continues today. Option 3 (organics co-collected

with yard waste) is used by Columbia Heights.

As part of the City’s community engagement process in preparation of this Plan, the nine

licensed haulers were asked about this question of their preferred method of curbside collection

of organics. The results were evenly split: three of the haulers preferred Option 1 (organics

alone); two haulers preferred Option 2 (co-collection with trash); and two haulers preferred

Option 3 (co-collection with yard waste). One hauler did not respond to this question and

another simply stated they prefer an “other” (unspecified) method of collection. These results

are typical of hauler opinions in the Metropolitan Area today; there is no one industry consensus

yet on the preferred or best method of curbside organics collection.

There is a need to assure adequate transfer station and composting facility capacity to assure that

the organic materials collected have an efficient means of being collected and composted for

reuse. Option 2, co-collection with trash, has an additional need for adequate sorting capacity to

separate the organics bags from the trash. Hennepin County and the MPCA each have individual

responsibilities for such infrastructure capacity. The City will continue to evaluate this

“downstream” infrastructure capacity as it develops additional collection details.

The City of Eden Prairie has a long-standing tradition of an open hauling system for solid waste

and recycling. In lieu of a change to contracted organics recycling collection, the City could

implement the County’s new residential curbside organics recycling requirement by amending

the City’s solid waste and recycling Code of ordinances (Sections 5.36 and Section 9.01). The

City would thereby require licensed residential haulers to provide curbside organics collection

service to all of their customers in single-family through four-plex buildings. Single-family to

four-plex buildings are the type of residential dwellings specified in the County’s Recycling

Ordinance 13.

One alternative approach is to require some form of curbside organics collection service, but

allow haulers to select their preferred method of organics collection. This approach allows the

private marketplace to help decide the most popular curbside organics collection method if there

are haulers offering different collection methods. However, this would result in:

Different curbside organics collection methods used by the licensed haulers.

Increased challenges to provide consistent education about material setout instructions by

the City.

Use of additional trucks and road wear-and-tear to collect organics for recycling if

separate carts are chosen (i.e., Option 1).


Due to the relative newness of residential organics recycling, the County’s current emphasis is

on developing curbside service to these types of single-family dwellings and has not yet focused

on the larger multifamily properties (over four-plex buildings). This is also consistent with

feedback from the haulers in the City that improving the quality and amount of traditional

recyclables collected at larger multifamily properties should be the current priority and not

adding new organics recycling containers at this time.

It should be noted that if the City moved to a recycling contract system for curbside collection of

traditional recyclables, then this could include curbside collection of organics. Contracting for

these services would provide for a more efficient collection system. Public feedback during the

community engagement process indicated that this contracting option is not supported by most

haulers but is preferred by some residents as a means to reduce truck traffic on their residential

streets.

Eden Prairie may want to consider implementing this curbside organics requirement as soon as

possible if the City wants to maximize grant funds available under Hennepin County’s

Residential Recycling Funding Policy. This is one of the City’s top priorities for the package of

City solid waste Code amendments.

In November 2016, Hennepin County adopted a Residential Recycling Funding Policy that

reduces the amount of funds available for traditional curbside recycling programs over time and

over the same time period increases the amount of grant funds for residential curbside organics

recycling. Furthermore, the County is putting a cap on the organics grant funds based on the

number of participating households such that there is a financial incentive built into the County

grant formula for cities to maximize organics recycling participation. Therefore, the sooner the

curbside organics program can be designed and implemented, the sooner the City can start

growing participation to maximize the County grant amounts.

The City plans to evaluate the County requirements within Ordinance 13 and determine if a pilot

project would be appropriate prior to implementation of citywide, curbside organics service for

single family residents.

The intent is that all single family residents (up to four-plex buildings) would have organics

recycling available equally. Therefore, the City’s amended solid waste Code would require that

all residents in units up through four-plex buildings be charged by their hauler for the organics

collection service. Recycling services were implemented by the city in this same way

historically and resulted in a very cost-effective way to implement a new collection service.

The City currently proposes to implement an “opt-out” program where all households

automatically receive the new organics collection service and educational materials. The City

could provide collection program supplies to all eligible households such as a kitchen “bucket”

or “kitchen caddy” to store food scraps. Alternatively, the hauler could be required to provide

these or other collection materials (e.g., an organics cart) to all customers on request.

https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/your-government/projects-initiatives/documents/residential-recycling-funding-policy.pdf?la=en&hash=C7E0548E8C65B046208745CCEB3BC2598FB9EA5C


A second option would be to provide an “opt-in” program by signing up early adopters to help

implement the new curbside organics recycling system. These early adopters would then likely

become opinion leaders and advocates for curbside organics service. As organics recycling

becomes more accepted, the program should then expand as outlined in the “opt-out” program.

Strategy 33. Adopt a management plan that complies with the new County requirements

for residential curbside organics recycling. [High priority]

Given the lack of industry consensus about the best organics collection method, and the need to

move forward with some level of additional details, the City could develop its own curbside

organics management plan that provides clear direction to the licensed haulers in Eden Prairie on

an approach to comply with both City and County requirements. This will require changes to the

City Code.

4.7.2 New Organics Drop-Off Sites

Organics drop-off sites can complement and provide a “bridge” to residential curbside organics

collection services. In general, organics drop-off sites are comparatively easy to implement

while requiring fewer City resources. Organics drop-off sites can also serve multifamily

residents and small businesses that do not have curbside organics service.

The main disadvantage of drop-offs is that they are less convenient and therefore there is

generally less participation and fewer materials recovered compared to curbside collection.

Drop-off sites are not required by the County.

Strategy 34. Evaluate opportunities for establishing a drop-off site for organics, either

with a yard waste collection site or separately. [Medium priority]

The City could simultaneously evaluate opportunities for establishing a drop-off site(s) for

organics while planning and implementing the residential curbside organics services. This

evaluation should be done in conjunction with any planning for a yard waste collection site.

Strategy 35. Evaluate new organics requirements and determine the need for an organics

drop-off program for multifamily residents. Evaluate potential opportunities for organics

drop-off through permanent or temporary sites. [Medium priority]

If multifamily residents are not provided with curbside organics collection service, there is a

greater need for an organics drop-off program in order to provide some degree of equity for all

City residents.

The closest, current organics drop-off site is the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s

Organics Recycling Facility in Shakopee. The City should evaluate how this composting facility

could be used to process organics from an Eden Prairie drop-off program.

http://www.smscorf.com/

http://www.smscorf.com/


4.7.3 Organics Recycling at Public Facilities

The existing organics recycling program at the City Center has been in place for about two years.

Strategy 36. Evaluate the current status of organics recycling at the City Center.

Evaluate program success and whether organics recycling could be expanded to

additional City facilities. [Low priority]

City staff could develop a summary inventory of current organics container locations and service

levels at the City Center. The organics materials quality should also be evaluated in terms of the

contamination rates in relation to employee education and signage. Program costs and trash

disposal savings should also be evaluated. The collection service provider and the composting

facility should be contacted to assess program effectiveness and opportunities for improvement.

4.7.4 Organics Recycling at Commercial Establishments

Hennepin County is developing a new commercial organics recycling program. The County will

take primary responsibility for planning, implementation and enforcement of any new

commercial recycling requirements.

Strategy 37. Provide assistance and technical advice for the County’s implementation of

their commercial organics recycling policy, ordinance and program requirements.

[Medium priority]

As the County is taking the lead on commercial organics recycling, the City could focus more

effort on the residential organics recycling services, while still providing information and public

education in support of the County’s program.

4.8 Commercial and Institutional Recycling

The Eden Prairie School District has an existing recycling program, including organics.

Strategy 38. Evaluate the Eden Prairie School District current organics and recycling

program and explore opportunities to provide educational materials and collaborate with

the Schools to enhance the program effectiveness. [Medium priority]

Conversations with the School District, and their recycling service provider(s), are needed to

determine the current status and opportunities for enhanced program effectiveness. Examples of

improvements could include providing additional education resources for staff and students. If

school staff are willing, the City may be able to coordinate in-class teaching opportunities and

resources.

One objective should be to assist the School District to improve recyclables materials quality and

sustain the program in the long-term. The City has a current solid waste dumpster screening

requirements (i.e., for outdoor “enclosures” separate from buildings) in ordinance that may need

to be amended.


Strategy 39. Evaluate barriers and constraints for outside container (e.g., dumpster)

placement related to commercial requirements for organics and traditional recycling.

[High priority]

At existing properties with current trash-only enclosures, adding new requirements to expand the

space to allow for recycling containers may be costly. The City should work with the County to

conduct an assessment of the needs, best practices approach for each property, and available

education/technical resources. The City could explore grant opportunities for this project with

the County to help reduce the capital costs of expanding or adding new recyclables enclosures.

New businesses, including new multifamily buildings, could be required by an amended City

ordinance to provide for adequate enclosure space for recyclables containers in addition to the

County Recycling Ordinance 13 requirements for adequate service levels and public education

tools.

The MPCA and County are working to encourage compliance with the new commercial business

recycling requirements. Informational resources are available to help educate regulated

businesses about the potential savings from enhanced recycling programs. The City will work

with the County to provide educational materials for the business owners and the tenants on the

new program.

Strategy 40. Evaluate compliance with the new commercial and sports facilities

recycling law (Minn. Stat. §115a.151) within the City. [Low priority]

The City could assist the County in conducting an inventory of the regulated commercial

properties, sports facilities, and public entities in Eden Prairie and to assess compliance with the

new recycling law (Minn. Stat. §115a.151). (See Section 2.8 for more information, including

County and MPCA resources.)

4.9 Event and Away from Home Waste

When residents are at events and otherwise away from home, there is a need to provide for

convenient recycling services using standardized public education tools (e.g., labels on recycling

containers). One opportunity is to enhance recyclables and organics collection services at City

facilities.

Strategy 41. Enhance collection of traditional recyclables and organics at City buildings

and park facilities where feasible. [Low priority]

The City could first conduct an assessment of the current state of these services and buildings.

Where feasible, City staff should recommend upgrades to the recycling services.

Strategy 42. Evaluate ability to expand recycling opportunities at City events, including

organics recycling. Evaluate potential language to require recycling plans at licensed

events. [Medium priority]

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/115A.151


Other cities and counties in the Metro Area have conducted studies and compiled multiple

guidance resources on how to enhance recycling at events sponsored or permitted by

municipalities. There are many readily available and practical tips for enhancing recycling at

events. For example, the following resources are readily available:

Dakota County’s 3 Steps to a Low-Waste Event.

Eureka Recycling’s Zero Waste Events web page (including additional resources and

Simple Tips (“Making Your Neighborhood Event Zero Waste”).

Hennepin County’s Recycling at Events web page.

Ramsey County’s Recycling Containers for Events web page (including additional

resources for planning recycling at events).

ReThink Recycling’s How to Host a Green Event.

Conditions of event permits could require recycling plans and implementation guidelines. The

County has resources available at low or no-cost (e.g., recycling bins, public education tools,

etc.). For example, event management could potentially start with a smaller test group, such as

providing organics containers and education to park rental groups.

4.10 Household Hazardous Waste and Problem Materials (including

bulky waste items)

This is a broad, catch-all category of solid waste materials that can be defined as household

hazardous waste (HHW) and other problem materials (including bulky waste items). There are

many optional collection and disposal solutions, including existing services.

4.10.1 Curbside Collection of Bulky Waste Items

The City needs to evaluate the current practices by private haulers to collect problem materials,

including large bulky waste items. There may be opportunities to enhance curbside collection

services to complement the other drop-off strategies such as expanding the items accepted at the

Community Clean-Up Day.

Strategy 43. Evaluate current City Code requirements for bulky waste pickups to

incorporate language to clarify existing or proposed policies into City Code licensing

requirements. [Low priority]

For example, the City could require bulky waste collection service (with standardized definitions

of acceptable materials) be available year round. Also, the evaluation could determine if the

more specialized “junk” companies can help provide needed collection services. If specialized

junk haulers are not yet licensed, the City’s Code should be amended accordingly.

4.10.2 Alternative Events and Drop-Off Facilities

In addition to the City’s annual Community Clean-Up Day, other events and drop-off facilities

provide locations for disposal of certain household hazardous waste and other problem materials.

https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Environment/Residential/Recycling/Documents/LowWasteEventGuide.pdf

https://www.eurekarecycling.org/zero-waste-events

https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/8468e6_52c8ebc6d8f34d4fa01933f3105e23d0.pdf

https://www.hennepin.us/eventrecycling

https://www.ramseycounty.us/residents/recycling-waste/recycling-trash-collection/recycling-containers-events

https://www.rethinkrecycling.com/sites/default/files/toolkit/toolkit_download/how_to_host_a_green_event.pdf


Strategy 44. Evaluate addition of special events or locations to provide opportunities for

disposal of items such as fluorescents, carpet, cardboard, bulky items, etc. [Low priority]

These other events and locations should be identified and promoted to City residents.

Alternatives may include procurement of collection services at the City’s Community Drop-Off

Day or a special collection day or location for individual items. A market assessment may be

needed to determine if the City’s contract would be attractive.

Strategy 45. Evaluate options for what could be done if no haulers bid on the City’s

annual Community Drop-Off Day. [Medium priority]

The current contract should be evaluated and longer-term plan should be developed that is

mutually beneficial to the City and potential contractors.

4.10.3 Neighborhood-Focused Cleanups Alternatives

Alternative and complementary service models should also be explored such as neighborhood-

focused cleanups. These alternatives could allow the City to focus on specific neighborhoods

with a variety of resources, including education, technical assistance, spot collection services for

selected problem materials, and regulatory enforcement. The neighborhoods to focus on could

rotate from year to year. These alternatives would not totally replace the need for a Community

Drop-Off Day or collection site, but they could be used to help complement and expand the

services provided to include broader environmental Code enforcement efforts.

4.11 Resource Recovery

The public entities section of the Minnesota Waste Management Act (Minn. Stats. §115A.471)

contains requirements that trash collected under City contracts must be disposed according to the

County’s Solid Waste Master Plan. Any contract for trash collection from City facilities must

contain specific disposal requirements such as disposal at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center

(HERC) in Minneapolis.

Strategy 46. Evaluate the current status of compliance with the public entities trash

disposal requirements in State Statute (Minn. Stat. §115A.471) and County policies.

[Low priority]

The County has information and technical assistance services that can readily determine the

City’s current status of compliance.

4.12 Landfilling

The Minnesota Waste Management Act contains a specific provision for the Metro Area known

as the “restriction on disposal” that prohibits unprocessed trash from being disposed in landfills

(Minn. Stats. §473.848). This requirement is administered both by the MPCA and the Metro

Region counties.


https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/473.848


Strategy 47. Assist Hennepin and other Metro Region counties with evaluation of and

potential implementation of the restriction on disposal law (Minn. Stat. §473.848). [Low

priority]

The City should consult with Hennepin County about the practical effects of this state restriction

on disposal of unprocessed trash.

4.13 Non-MSW

The term “Non-MSW” is a catch-all phrase intended to cover a broad category of solid waste

materials not typically found in mixed municipal solid waste (MSW). A major component of

Non-MSW is construction & demolition (C&D) waste generated from construction activities

such as building remodeling and/or demolition. C&D waste is a significant amount of material

that is not regulated or managed in the same manner as MSW. There are many opportunities for

the City to help reduce and conserve C&D materials such that they can be managed as resources

and not simply as waste. The County has resources and technical assistance that can help the

City research and develop C&D reduction and recycling strategies such as the County’s section

of Solid Waste Planning web page related to Construction and Demolition Diversion Capacity

Study (August 2015).

Strategy 48. Promote deconstruction of buildings in collaboration with Hennepin

County as an alternative to simple demolition. [Low priority]

Strategy 49. Evaluate current City Code to determine if requirements for submittal of

C&D waste recycling plans for a building or demolition permit would be reasonable.

[Low priority]

It may be instructive to research what contractors are already doing in in the Metro Area to

reduce and recycle C&D materials. Also, recent case studies from other cities C&D recycling

programs may be helpful as additional background research.

4.14 Solid Waste Collection Issues and Regulations

Eden Prairie has a primary role in managing solid waste collection systems in the City as part of

its mandate to protect the health and welfare of residents and businesses. The City’s Code of

ordinances (Section 9.01, Subd. 9) requires all residential and commercial properties to be party

to a contract for the collection of solid waste. Section 2.1 of this Plan summarizes the City’s

open hauling system.

The City Code requires collection of both trash and recyclables, plus the option for collection of

yard waste. This open hauling system could be improved to enhance curbside recycling and

organics recovery. This Plan discusses that new considerations of how best to implement

organics recycling (see Section 4.7), including options for implementing the new County

requirement for residential curbside organics recycling service. The following collection

strategies could help guide additional research and community engagement on these issues.

https://www.hennepin.us/solidwasteplanning

https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/your-government/projects-initiatives/documents/construction-demolition-diversion-capacity-study.pdf?la=en&hash=4BBA9FD3512B631F1713D1FA251A1E920AF4A024

https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/your-government/projects-initiatives/documents/construction-demolition-diversion-capacity-study.pdf?la=en&hash=4BBA9FD3512B631F1713D1FA251A1E920AF4A024


Strategy 50. Review the City’s mandatory garbage service provisions in the current

ordinance, including in relation to City enforcement efforts, to determine if there are

options or opportunities for enhancements. [Low priority]

Even though the City ordinance requires that all residents and businesses have solid waste

collection contracts, it is unknown as to the extent of properties that do not have contracts. This

could be an opportunity to evaluate current practices and determine what initiatives may improve

or add options for collection.

Strategy 51. Evaluate current City procedures and fees for licensing. [Low priority]

The City could evaluate its current hauler license fee structure in comparison to other cities.

Strategy 52. Evaluate the number of licensed haulers. [Medium priority]

The City is interested in preserving the street pavement investments for as long as possible while

reducing truck traffic where feasible. The open hauling system has resulted in four haulers that

are currently serving single family residents and four haulers serving multifamily properties (see

the City’s Garbage and Recycling web page for the list of hauling companies and other details).

The City will evaluate the need for and potential methods to restrict the number of licenses or

otherwise capping the number of haulers operating in Eden Prairie and how this could potentially

impact items such as customer service, costs, roadways and neighborhood safety.

When haulers were asked in the June 2018 survey if they would be in favor of limiting the

number of licensed haulers to the number that exists today, four (4) of the respondents said “yes”

and five of the respondents said “no.”



5 Ten Year Plan

This Plan is intentionally trying to take a long term vision of potential system changes and

improvements. The City is making deliberate efforts to respond directly to the new city

requirements mandated by Hennepin County as well as address other solid waste management

priorities that residents and businesses have stated are needed. The proposed priority level

(“low”, “medium”, or “high”) for each strategy is based in part on whether or not action is

required by the County as well as the City’s own level of priority.

Due to limited time and other resources, the City must be very selective in determining which

strategies should become high priorities for immediate planning, development and

implementation. Not all strategies can be implemented simultaneously. The Strategies Matrix in

Appendix B directly addresses timing of strategy implementation.

In many cases the strategies outlined in this Plan suggest collaboration with other entities. The

City will be able to best optimize the use of City resources by partnering with Hennepin County,

the haulers, local businesses and residents. The solid waste management system improvements

will be more cost-effective and sustainable if these other entities can be fully engaged.

Eden Prairie Solid Waste Management Plan Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC Appendix A, Page 1

Appendix A

Definitions

The definitions in this section are terms as used in this Plan. Additional definitions in relation to

the City’s solid waste program are located in City Code Section 5.36 (Licensing of Collectors of

Solid, Recyclable and/or Yard Waste) and 9.01 (Storage, Deposit and Collection of Refuse, Yard

Waste, Recyclable Waste and Solid Waste). Additional definitions are derived from the

Hennepin County Recycling Ordinance 13 and various State Statutes as noted.

“Bulky Waste” means large items from residents that do not normally fit into a regular trash cart

but need to be disposed or recycled such as furniture, appliances, carpet, etc. Bulky waste does

not include construction & demolition waste.

“Curbside Recycling Service” includes single and multiple family dwellings where each

housing unit sets out their own refuse and recycling container for collection at the curb.

“Food Scraps” means all material resulting from the production, storage, preparation,

processing, cooking, handling, selling, or serving of food for human or animal consumption,

including but not limited to, meats, grains, dairy, fish, fruits, and vegetables. (Source: Hennepin

County Ordinance 13)

“Hauler” means any person who owns, operates or leases vehicles for the primary purpose of

collection and transportation of any type of waste. (Source: Hennepin County Ordinance 13)

“Household Hazardous Waste” means materials generated in a residential household, which

includes any dwelling from a single unit including all multifamily housing properties, that is in

solid, semi-solid, liquid, or contained gaseous form that, because of its quantity, concentration,

or chemical, physical, or infectious characteristics, may (a) cause or significantly contribute to an

increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible or incapacitating reversible illness; or

(b) pose substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when

improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of, or otherwise managed. Categories of

hazardous waste materials include, but are not limited to, explosives, flammables, oxidizers,

poisons, irritants, and corrosives. Household hazardous waste does not include source, special

nuclear, or M by-product materials as defined by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended.

(Source: Hennepin County Ordinance 13)

“Materials Recovery Facility” means a permitted facility where mixed recyclables are received

to be prepared for reuse in their original form or for use in manufacturing processes that do not

cause the destruction of the materials in a manner that precludes further use. It does not include

a manufacturer using recyclable materials as feedstock. This includes a transfer station where

mixed recyclables are delivered, temporarily stored and sent to a facility where it is processed for

recycling. (Source: Hennepin County Ordinance 13)

Definitions (continued)


“Mixed Municipal Solid Waste” (MSW) is defined in State law as garbage, refuse, and other

solid waste from residential, commercial, industrial, and community activities that the generator

of the waste aggregates for collection. MSW does not include auto hulks, street sweepings, ash,

construction debris, mining waste, sludges, tree and agricultural wastes, tires, lead acid batteries,

motor and vehicle fluids and filters, and other materials collected, processed, and disposed of as

separate waste streams. (Source: Minn. Stat. §115A.03; Subd. 21)

“Mixed Recyclables” or “Recyclable Waste” means those components of solid waste

consisting of aluminum recyclables, can recyclables, corrugated cardboard, glass recyclables,

paper recyclables, plastic recyclables, organics, and other materials required to be recycled in

compliance with City Ordinances, County Ordinances and Regulations, and State Statutes and

Rules, each of which has been separated by a customer into a container or containers which have

been designated for recyclable or organic waste. (Source City Code Section 5.36 Subd. 2. O).

“Multifamily Housing” or “Multiple Family Dwelling” means attached dwelling units and

accessory structures containing two or more dwelling units. (Source: City Code Section 5.36

Subd. 2. L.)

“Non-MSW” means waste materials not defined as MSW, typically referring to items such as

construction & demolition (C&D) waste such as discards from building construction or

remodeling.

“Organic Material” (or “Organics”) means the portion of waste that is source separated for the

purpose of beneficial use, and may include food, food scraps and other materials as designated

by Hennepin County. Organic material excludes yard waste regulated in Minnesota Statute,

Section 115A.931. (Source: Hennepin County Ordinance 13)

“Organic Material Drop-off Site” is a site that accepts organic material self-hauled by

residents for the purpose of collection and transport to an approved facility for beneficial use.

The site may be a stand-alone site or be co-located at an existing disposal facility, materials

recovery facility, or transfer station. (Source: Hennepin County Ordinance 13)

“Organic Material Management Facility” means a facility where organic material is received

and processed for beneficial use, such as a composting facility. This includes a transfer station

where organic material is delivered, temporarily stored and sent to a facility where it is processed

for beneficial use. (Source: Hennepin County Ordinance 13)

“Recyclable Waste” means those components of solid waste consisting of aluminum

recyclables, can recyclables, corrugated cardboard, glass recyclables, paper recyclables, plastic

recyclables, organics, and other materials required to be recycled in compliance with City

ordinances, County ordinances and regulations, and State Statutes and rules, each of which has

been separated by a customer into a container or containers which have been designated for

recyclable or organic waste. (Source: City Code Section 5.36 Subd. 2. O.)




“Recycling” means the process of collecting recyclable waste for reusing these materials to

prevent waste of potentially useful materials either in new products, in their original form, or in a

manufacturing process that does not cause destruction of them in a manner that precludes further

use. (Source: City Code Section 5.46 Subd. 2. P). For purposes of this Plan, “Recycling” also

includes the process of collecting and composting of organic materials (organics recycling).

“Single-Family Dwelling” refers to single-family, detached dwelling and accessory structures

designed for or containing one dwelling unit. (Source: City Code Section 5.36 Subd. 2. S.)

“Solid Waste” means garbage, refuse, sludge from a water supply treatment plant or air

contaminant treatment facility, and other discarded waste materials and sludges, in solid,

semisolid, liquid, or contained gaseous form, resulting from residential, industrial, commercial,

mining, agricultural operations, and community activities. Solid Waste does not include

hazardous waste; animal waste used as fertilizer; earthen fill, boulders, rock; sewage sludge;

solid or dissolved material in domestic sewage or other common pollutants in water resources,

such as silt; dissolved or suspended solids in industrial waste water effluents or discharges which

are point sources subject to permits under Section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control

Act, as amended; dissolved materials in irrigation return flows; or source, special nuclear, or

by-product material as defined by The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. (Source: City

Code Section 5.36 Subd. 2. T)

“Source Separation” means the separation of mixed recyclables and organic material from trash

at the source of generation. (Source: Hennepin County Ordinance 13)

“Traditional Recyclables” includes non-organic materials that have historically been collected

in residential curbside and/or drop-off collection program (e.g., recyclable glass, metal, paper,

and plastics).

“Trash” means non-recyclable material that is designated for landfill or incinerator disposal by

the hauler. The term “trash” does not include hazardous waste as defined in Minnesota Statutes,

section 116.06, subdivision 11, or construction debris as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section

115A.03, subdivision 7. (Source: Hennepin County Ordinance 13)

“Unprocessed Waste” means solid waste (or “trash”) after collection and before disposal that

has not been processed for materials / energy recovery or composting. (Source: Minn. Stat.

§474.848, Subd. 5)

“Waste” means all trash, mixed recyclables, and organic material from residential, commercial,

industrial, and community activities. (Source: Hennepin County Ordinance 13)

“Waste Reduction” (also referred to as “Source Reduction”) means an activity that prevents

generation of waste or the inclusion of toxic materials in Waste, including reusing a product in

its original form; increasing the life span of a product; reducing amount of material or the

toxicity of material used in production or packaging; or changing procurement, consumption, or





waste generation habits to result in smaller quantities or lower toxicity of waste generated.

(Source: Minn. Stat., §115A.03, Subd. 36b)

“Yard Waste” means solid waste generated from landscaping and lawn care activities such as

mowing, trimming, gardening or raking consisting of grass clippings, twigs, tree and brush

clippings, straw, pine needles, tree branches, soft vegetative garden waste and leaves. (Source:

City Code Section 5.36 Subd. 2. U)

Eden Prairie Solid Waste Management Plan Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC Appendix B

Appendix B

Strategies Matrix

(Key: “” = Lead or primary role)

Appendix B

Strategies Matrix

Category

Strategy

Number Potential StrategySta

te o

f Min

nesot

a

Hen

nepin

Cou

nty

City

of E

den P

rair

ie

Oth

erPriority

Proposed

Timing

City Code

Amendment

Required?

Education 1

Evaluate current use of education tools such as print, web-based, social media,

Environmental Learning Center (ELC), etc. and determine ways in which these tools

may be improved or expanded. Medium After 2019 Maybe

Education 2

Conduct surveys for residents and businesses to gauge understanding of recycling,

organics, composting, beneficial use of grass clippings, hazardous waste disposal,

solid waste, etc. This could be a combination of web-based and in-person surveys. Low After 2019 No

Education 3

Encourage and promote the County’s “Master Recycler” program and evaluate

potential opportunities for graduates to assist with education and outreach within Eden

Prairie for recycling, yard waste management or other elements of this Plan. Engage

the County to determine how the City can assist in continuing this education program

into the future.

Low After 2021 No

Education 4Develop materials and provide education at City events such as the Green Fair,

Citywide Open House, Sustainable Eden Prairie Tour, etc. High After 2019 No

Education 5Provide opportunities for continued involvement of students in the City’s Conservation

Commission. Medium After 2021 No

Education 6Develop educational materials for "Move In / Move Out" to properly recycle and

dispose of moving materials from homes and businesses. Low After 2022 Maybe

Education 7

Partner with Chamber of Commerce, Lion’s, Rotary and other local business

organizations to optimize the effectiveness of City staff resources. Medium After 2021 No

Waste Reduction 8

Expand promotion of reusable materials through events including the Hennepin County

Fix-It Clinics for repair and reuse of materials as well as other County initiatives. Medium After 2019 No

Waste Reduction 9

Expand use of materials exchanges such as The Freecycle Network, Twin Cities Free

Market, or Nextdoor events to encourage material exchanges within neighborhoods. Low After 2021 No

Waste Reduction 10

Develop opportunities to partner with thrift/reuse stores, non-profits or commercial

entities to expand collection of reusable or recyclable materials. This includes

charitable giving of unused food items (e.g., dry goods, etc.). Medium After 2021 No

Waste Reduction 11Enhance promotion of the use of mulch and backyard composting to reduce

compostable materials from entering the waste stream. Medium After 2022 No

Recycling – Drop-Off 12Evaluate the past success, new opportunities for improvement, and alternatives for the

City’s Community Drop-Off Day. High 2019 No

Recycling – Drop-Off 13Explore the need to provide additional recycling, such as for cardboard, potentially in

coordination with a yard waste drop-off site. Medium 2019 No

Recycling – Drop-Off 14Promote the Hennepin County Drop-Off Facilities in Bloomington and Brooklyn Park.

Medium Ongoing No

Residential Curbside Recycling 15Evaluate third-party online, web-based promotion tools to determine if they could be

implemented in the City. Low After 2021 No

Eden Prairie


Foth Infrastructure Environment, LLC

Appendix B, Page 1

Appendix B

Strategies Matrix

Category

Strategy


te o

f Min

nesot

a

Hen

nepin

Cou

nty

City

of E

den P

rair

ie

Oth

erPriority

Proposed

Timing

City Code

Amendment

Required?

Residential Curbside Recycling 16

Evaluate the need for contract recycling and/or organics recycling as a means to

decrease truck traffic and enhance residential recycling through a more standardized

collection services agreement. Low After 2022 Yes

Residential Curbside Recycling 17Evaluate how recycling is scheduled and determine if improvements could be made to

provide consistent scheduling citywide. Medium 2018 - 2019 Yes

Residential Curbside Recycling 18Evaluate population metrics in relation to existing garbage and recycling zones and

determine if modifications are needed. Low After 2022 Maybe

Residential Curbside Recycling 19

Evaluate the Minnesota Recycling Education Committee (REC) guidelines on how to

promote traditional recyclables and organics recycling programs and determine how

these could be incorporated into the City's education program. High Ongoing No

Multifamily Recycling 20Evaluate current recycling requirements at multifamily properties and establish an

inspection program. High 2018 - 2020 Yes

Multifamily Recycling 21

Evaluate the City's current education program and determine if opportunities exist for

additional technical assistance, public education, and outreach to encourage

multifamily recycling. Medium After 2021 Yes


Evaluate County Recycling Ordinance 13 requirements for standardized labeling on

multifamily recycling and trash containers and determine if City Code changes are

needed. Medium 2019 - 2020 Yes


Evaluate current requirements for recycling and solid waste reporting related to

multifamily recycling and determine if the City should incorporate additional

requirements into City Code or clarify existing ones. Medium 2021 - 2023 Yes


Evaluate barriers and constraints for the addition of containers (e.g., dumpster) related

to multifamily properties for organics or traditional recycling. Medium 2020 Yes


Evaluate current requirements for collection of and education on recycling and solid

waste related to multifamily buildings and determine if additional requirements should

be incorporated into existing City Code. Medium 2022 - 2024 Yes

Yard Waste Management 26Evaluate what resources and site improvements would be required for the City to

develop yard waste drop-off sites. High 2018 - 2019 Maybe

Yard Waste Management 27

Conduct a cost analysis for development of a drop-off site for items such as tree

branches, garden waste and leaves only, but no grass clippings. Evaluate the need for

a seasonal operating schedule (e.g., spring and fall months only). High 2018 - 2019 Maybe


Provide wood chips, mulch, and/or finished compost at a City-operated yard waste

drop-off site or during events such as the City Community Drop-Off Day as they are

available. Low 2024 - 2026 No

Yard Waste Management 29Promote use of existing, non-City owned facilities that allow Eden Prairie residents to

bring in yard waste, grass clippings, brush, stumps, logs, etc. High 2018 - 2019 No

Eden Prairie



Appendix B, Page 2

Appendix B

Strategies Matrix

Category

Strategy


te o

f Min

nesot

a

Hen

nepin

Cou

nty

City

of E

den P

rair

ie

Oth

erPriority

Proposed

Timing

City Code

Amendment

Required?


Encourage backyard composting and mulching and evaluate opportunities to host or

cross-promote a site for a compost bin and/or rain barrel sale with other organizations

or cities. Low 2019 No

Yard Waste Management 31Evaluate current residential curbside yard waste collection services and seasonal

trends and make recommendations for improvement. High 2019 - 2020 Maybe


Evaluate need for contingency plans or written policy for a temporary drop-off site

and/or curbside pickup for storm damaged tree waste by the City or a private

organization (e.g., part of a broader emergency preparedness plan). Medium 2021 - 2025 Yes

Organics Recycling 33Adopt a management plan that complies with the new County requirements for

residential curbside organics recycling. High 2021 Yes

Organics Recycling 34Evaluate opportunities for establishing a drop off site for organics, either with a yard

waste collection site or separately. Medium 2029 - 2021

Organics Recycling 35

Evaluate new organics requirements and determine the need for an organics drop-off

program for multi-family residents. Evaluate potential opportunities for organics drop-

off through permanent or temporary sites. Medium 2019 - 2020


Evaluate the status of organics recycling at the City Center. Evaluate program success

and whether organics recycling could be expanded to additional City facilities. Low 2020 - 2024


Provide assistance and technical advice for the County’s implementation of their

commercial organics recycling policy, ordinance and program requirements. Medium 2019 - 2021 Maybe

Commercial and Institutional Recycling 38

Evaluate the Eden Prairie School District current organics and recycling program and

explore opportunities to provide educational materials and collaborate with the Schools

to enhance program effectiveness. Medium 2020 - 2022

Commercial and Institutional Recycling 39

Evaluate barriers and constraints for outside container (e.g., dumpster) placement

related to commercial requirements for organics and traditional recycling. High 2019 Yes

Commercial and Institutional Recycling 40Evaluate compliance with the new commercial and sports facilities recycling law (Minn.

Stat. §115a.151) within the City. Low 2022 - 2025 Yes

Event and Away from Home Waste 41Enhance collection of traditional recyclables and organics at City buildings and park

facilities where feasible. Low 2021 - 2023

Event and Away from Home Waste 42

Evaluate ability to expand recycling opportunities at City events, including organics

recycling. Evaluate potential language to require recycling plans at licensed events. Medium 2019 - 2020 Yes

Household Hazardous Waste and Problem

Materials (including bulky items)43

Evaluate current City code requirements for bulky waste pickups to incorporate

language to clarify existing or proposed policies into City code licensing requirements. Low 2024 - 2026 Yes



Evaluate addition of special events or locations to provide opportunities for disposal of

items such as fluorescents, carpet, cardboard, bulky items, etc. Low 2022 - 2024 No

Eden Prairie



Appendix B, Page 3

Appendix B

Strategies Matrix

Category

Strategy


te o

f Min

nesot

a

Hen

nepin

Cou

nty

City

of E

den P

rair

ie

Oth

erPriority

Proposed

Timing

City Code

Amendment

Required?



Evaluate options for what could be done if no haulers bid on the City's annual

Community Drop-Off Day. Medium 2020 No

Resource Recovery 46Evaluate the status of compliance with the public entities trash disposal requirements

in State Statute (Minn. Stat. §115A.471) and County policies. Low 2025 No

Landfilling 47

Assist Hennepin and other Metro Region counties with evaluation of and potential

implementation of the restriction on disposal law (Minn. Stat. §473.848). Low 2026 Maybe

Non-MSW 48Promote deconstruction of buildings in collaboration with Hennepin County as an

alternative to simple demolition. Low 2024 - 2027 Yes

Non-MSW 49

Evaluate current City Code to determine if requirements for submittal of construction &

demolition (C&D) waste recycling plans for a building or demolition permit would be

reasonable. Low 2024 - 2027 Yes

Solid Waste Collection Issues and

Regulations50

Review the City’s mandatory garbage service provisions in the current ordinance,

including in relation to City enforcement efforts, to determine if there are options or

opportunities for enhancements. Low 2019 - 2021 Yes


Regulations51

Evaluate current City procedures and fees for licensing. Low 2019 - 2021 Yes


Regulations52

Evaluate the number of licensed haulers. Medium 2019 - 2020 Yes

Eden Prairie



Appendix B, Page 4