11-18-2015
Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
Regular Meeting
November 18, 2015
Members Present:
Bret Borth, Don Vasatka, Amy Omann, Glenn Kaufmann, Matthew Myers
Members Absent:
David Hess
Staff Present:
Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Specialist
Guests Present:
Marcus Zbinden, Carver County Environmental Services, Jake, Green Corps – Carver County
Minutes:
October minutes were approved.
Presentation, Marcus Zbinden, Carver County Recycling Program:
Marcus introduced Jake to the
Commission. Jake is with MN Green Corps (a Minnesota version of Americorps) and will be working on waste
and recycling education as well as the Master Recycler/Composter certification program. Marcus then explained
than the state views recycling as waste management at a higher level than landfilling. The expectation for all
counties is to manage waste at the highest level as possible. However, it costs more to process waste than to
landfill it hence the state and counties use regulations and subsidies to ensure that processing happens. From
1994 to 2004, Carver County gave haulers a subsidy for bringing waste to a processing facility, such as HERC
and Newport facilities that convert waste to energy. The current state goal is to have 33% of waste taken to
processors. The biggest opportunity for increased waste management is organics. Much of the organic material
that is processed in Carver County comes from General Mills. As of Jan. 1, 2016 businesses who generate 4 cu
yds. or more of waste per week must recycle. Carver County surveyed residents of Watertown, which as
organized collection. Organics collection had been offered in the town but residents had to pay extra for it. The
county offered to pay for the organics if residents returned the survey. Technically, organics is recycling and
therefore shouldn’t cost extra to consumers. In Carver County every public entity is required to recycle at public
events. The county surveyed all businesses in the county to try and determine compliance. The sent 1490 surveys
and received 323 back, a rate of 22%. They found that most businesses already recycle. They also survey multi-
unit buildings to determine compliance and see who needed assistance. 74% responded that they do offer
recycling. Carver County will be working with Waste Wise to offer technical assistance to businesses and multi-
unit buildings. Waste Wise will host a workshop for businesses and multi-units. The program will be starting
shortly and Carver County will complete a final report next June. Marcus said the county will also be doing a
curbside recycling study. They will follow a recycling truck to see how many households participate on random
routes and tally the weight of the truck to figure the average weight per household. They will do the project in
March 2016. The state law is to have a 75% goal for recycling/composting. If the city is interested, Marcus
offered to hold a composting workshop with the Master Recycling program in town next year.
Holiday Recycling article:
The commission will review and adapt past articles for submission to the paper.
General Discussion
:
The commission would like to tour the MERF in Shakopee, preferable by March.
Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District sent invites to the commission for their next ‘Night with
the District’ at the beginning of December.
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At the next meeting it will be discussed as to who is taking over for the Sustainability Report.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:25 PM.
Minutes prepared by Jill Sinclair
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