Recycling and Waste Reduction October 8, 2015

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "Recycling and Waste Reduction October 8, 2015"

Transcription

1 Office of the Legislative Auditor State of Minnesota Recycling and Waste Reduction October 8, 2015

2 Key Findings The true percentage of waste that is recycled is unknown (pp ) There is no oversight of state agency recycling efforts (pp ) Waste management incentives do not align with the state s waste management hierarchy (p. 81)

3 Waste Management Hierarchy Waste Reduction and Reuse Most Preferred Waste Recycling Composting Resource Recovery Landfill Disposal Least Preferred

4 Waste Management Responsibilities Counties are largely responsible for waste management activities Must ensure residents have opportunity to recycle Recycling centers Drop-off sites Curbside collection in larger cities Must encourage commercial recycling Programs vary across the state

5 Funding for Recycling Solid Waste Management Tax 9.75% tax on residential garbage service 17% tax on commercial garbage service Generated over $70 million in 2013 Legislature appropriated $18.25 million for recycling in FY 2015, and $17.25 million thereafter Total 2013 recycling expenditures: $63 million

6 State Recycling Funding Over Time $20 $18 $16 $14 $12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $2 $- Nominal Dollars 1991 Dollars

7 Waste Management Goals Legislative recycling goals Metro area: 75% by 2030 Outstate: 35% by 2030 Recycling Rate = Recycling Material (Tons) Total Solid Waste Generated (Tons)

8 Reported Recycling Rates 2013 statewide recycling rate: 47% Varies by county 80% in Waseca County 9% in Mille Lacs County Significant problems with recycling data

9 Data Problems Minnesota s true recycling rate is not known Missing data Estimated data Inaccurate data

10 Recommendations MPCA should: Continue efforts to improve measurement of recycling outcomes

11 Recommendations The Legislature should: Establish goals for all tiers of the waste management hierarchy Require counties and MPCA to track progress toward all waste management goals Waste Reduction and Reuse Waste Recycling Composting Resource Recovery Landfill Disposal Most Preferred Least Preferred

12 State Agency Recycling Responsibilities removed from Department of Administration State agencies must now inform employees of recycling opportunities and expectations 2012 state agency recycling ranged from 10% to 89% Many state office buildings do not follow best practices for recycling

13 Washington County Recycling Effective Containers and Signs Containers and signs are color coded. Containers and signs are uniform throughout county facilities. Signs use graphics to illustrate what to place in each container. Recycling and compost containers are co-located with trash container.

14 Centennial Office Building Recycling Inadequate Container and Sign Materials accepted for recycling in the Centennial Office Building include: Beverage cans Plastic beverage bottles Glass bottles Milk Cartons Milk jugs Plastic bags Yogurt containers Margarine tubs Items in italics are accepted for recycling but not identified on the sign as recyclable.

15 Recommendations The Legislature should: Identify MPCA as the agency responsible for coordinating and overseeing state agency recycling activities Require MPCA to annually publish state agency recycling rates The Legislature and state agencies should: Implement effective recycling and waste reduction practices

16 Waste Management Incentives Hierarchy prefers waste reduction and reuse State law establishes goals for recycling Landfill disposal is often the least expensive Waste Reduction and Reuse Waste Recycling Composting Resource Recovery Landfill Disposal Most Preferred Least Preferred

17 Recommendation The Legislature should consider adopting incentives that encourage the disposal of waste consistent with the waste management hierarchy.

18 Incentive Options Reuse Program Grants Variable Pricing for Waste Disposal Disposal Fees and Recycling Subsidies Product Stewardship Beverage Container Deposit Waste Bans

19 More Issues Addressed in Report Investment in market development Alternative waste management technologies Restrictions on disposal in the Twin Cities region In-depth case studies of 17 national recycling leaders

20 Recycling and Waste Reduction is available at