Item Description:
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Agmt PR00006817 with MN Waste Wise Foundation to continue implementing the MNimize campaign, 02/01/25-01/31/28, NTE $403,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the county administrator be authorized to negotiate Agreement PR00006817 with Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation during the period February 1, 2025 through January 31, 2028 in an amount not to exceed $403,000; that following review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disperse funds as directed.
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Background:
Reducing single-use plastics and plastic packaging is one of the highest impact zero-waste actions identified in the county’s 2024-2029 Solid Waste Management Plan.
Plastics are unavoidable in our modern lives, and the use of plastics is projected to triple by 2050 from 2013 levels. Plastics will account for 20% of global oil use and 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. About half of the plastics produced each year are intended for single use, and about a quarter of all plastics produced are for packaging. Plastics contribute to litter and climate pollution, harm water and wildlife, and have largely unknown human health impacts. During engagement for the Zero Waste Plan, residents reported great frustration with the amount of plastics they were dealing with, inability to avoid them and confusion over how to recycle them. Businesses said they struggle to avoid plastics due to application needs, convenience and low cost.
In 2022, the county hired MN Waste Wise through a competitive selection process to develop and implement a campaign targeting the reduction of single-use plastics at restaurants and foodservice businesses in Hennepin County (Resolution 22-0035). The campaign, MNimize, has reduced an estimated 401,000 single-use plastic items, the equivalent of 51,000 pounds of plastic waste, and saved businesses an estimated $30,000 per year since it launched two years ago. Through the effort, MN Waste Wise has conducted 161 site assessments in Hennepin County and distributed more than $16,000 in rebates to fund the replacement of single-use plastic items at restaurants with reusable or compostable equivalents.
Under this new contract, MN Waste Wise will recruit a minimum of 50 new businesses to participate in the campaign each year, while continuing to support existing participants. Participants receive recognition for their efforts, customized assistance including waste audits and sustainable product consulting, and emerging small business enterprises (ESBEs) are eligible to receive rebates to help cover the cost of swapping single-use products with durable or compostable equivalents.
The Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit affiliate of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce that provides environmental sustainability consulting for Minnesota businesses and organizations. The MN Waste Wise Foundation will match the county’s rebate funding with $25,000 of its own funds to support the campaign.
Current Request:
This request seeks approval of Agreement PR00006817 with Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation to continue implementing the MNimize campaign, a single-use plastics reduction campaign targeted at commercial food establishments, February 1, 2025 through January 31, 2028 in an amount not to exceed $403,000.
Impact/Outcomes:
Reducing single-use plastics supports the county’s zero-waste and climate goals by shifting consumer behaviors to reduce the environmental impacts of waste. Additionally, eliminating single-use plastic foodservice ware reduces exposure to and the health impacts of the numerous chemicals, many of which are endocrine disruptors, used in the manufacturing of these products. At least 150 new restaurants and foodservice businesses will be recruited to participate in this campaign. Rebates of up to $1,000 per business will be available to ESBEs to remove cost barriers to participation, a total of $50,000 over three years, with $25,000 donated by the Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval