Item Description:
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Agmt PR00007377 with Bridging, Inc., 09/01/25-12/31/27, NTE $35,000 and Agmt PR00007376 with Certified Recycling LLC, 09/01/25-12/31/27, NTE $160,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate Agreement PR00007377 with Bridging, Inc. for collection and reuse services for furniture and household goods during the period of September 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027, with a not to exceed amount of $35,000, and Agreement PR00007376 with Certified Recycling LLC for collection and recycling services for furniture and household goods during the period of September 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027, with a not to exceed amount of $160,000; that following review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the County Administrator be authorized to sign the agreements on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
Minnesota State Statute requires metro counties achieve a 75% recycling rate by 2030, and the county’s Zero Waste Plan aims to achieve 90% diversion from landfills and incinerators. A new county initiative advances two of the highest impact zero-waste actions: Expand collection and drop-off options for reusable and hard-to-recycle items and ensure that every person has equitable access to zero-waste tools.
The county plans to collaborate with cities and other partners to host events that collect furniture and household goods. The county has successfully coordinated reuse collection events in the past focused on building materials. Following that model for the collection of furniture and household goods will build on best practices.
Staff proposes to contract with Bridging, Inc. to collect and reuse donated items. Bridging is a nonprofit that helps people transition to stable housing by providing them with essential furniture and household goods to furnish their homes. Certified Recycling, LLC proposes to collect and recycle donated items that are not in suitable condition for reuse. Certified Recycling can accept a wide variety of items and has experience participating in events and working with Bridging.
The effort will start with two pilot events in 2025 and will scale up based on the success of the initial events, with approximately 16 events held by the end of 2027. Similar furniture collection events in the metro area have resulted in collection amounts of approximately 8,000 pounds per event, with an 85% reuse rate.
In addition to advancing progress toward zero waste, this initiative supports the county’s disparity reduction efforts. It helps ensure that everyone has equitable access to zero-waste tools. The county’s Zero Waste Plan gaps analysis found that people without easy access to transportation or convenient drop-off options were not diverting as much material as people with easy access. The lack of access to reuse and recycling options for bulky and hard-to recycle items is a barrier to achieving an equitable zero-waste system. To improve access, staff plan to host furniture and household good collection events throughout the county. Sites will be selected by applying criteria such as proximity to willing partners and environmental justice areas, distance to established drop-offs, and availability of different types of transportation, like cars, buses, trains, bicycling and walking. The events will be promoted using inclusive communication strategies and outreach through community partners and trusted messengers.
Current Request:
This request seeks authorization for the County Administrator to negotiate the following agreements for the collection and recycling services of furniture and household goods:
• Agreement PR00007377 with Bridging, Inc. during the period of September 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027, with an amount not to exceed $35,000; and
• Agreement PR00007376 with Certified Recycling LLC during the period of September 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027, with an amount not to exceed $160,000.
Impact/Outcomes:
This new county initiative advances two of the highest impact zero-waste actions to expand collection and drop-off options for reusable and hard-to-recycle items and ensure everyone has equitable access to zero-waste tools. These contracts will support approximately 16 collections events, where around 128,000 pounds of usable furniture and household goods will be saved from the trash and given to people moving into stable housing. This initiative also supports the county’s climate action goals by avoiding emissions associated with resource extraction and the manufacturing of new products.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval