Item Description:
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Agmt PR00007213 with the Hennepin Recycling Group for an organics drop-off grant, 08/01/25-08/01/27, NTE $15,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate Agreement PR00007213 with the Hennepin Recycling Group for an organics drop-off grant during the period of August 1, 2025, through August 1, 2027, with a not to exceed amount of $15,000; that following review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the County Administrator be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
Waste sort studies continue to show that organic materials comprise about 30% of the trash-the largest proportion of any material. Separating organics from the trash also helps to further progress toward achieving zero waste. Minnesota State Statutes §115A.551 requires metro counties achieve a 75% recycling rate by 2030, and the county’s Zero Waste Plan aims to achieve 90% or more. The county’s Climate Action Plan also identifies diverting organic material from the trash as an important strategy to reduce emissions.
Recovering organics from the trash is a better use of resources, turning organic materials into compost for healthier soil. Organic material in landfills produces methane, which is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of trapping solar radiation and worsening climate change. An estimated 58% of the methane that escapes from municipal solid waste landfills is from food waste.
Organics drop-off sites fill a service gap for people who do not have access to city curbside organics recycling programs. For people who live in multifamily buildings, organics drop-off sites may be the most accessible option for recycling organic waste. Grants are available to cities, businesses, non-profit organizations, and multifamily properties to cover the initial costs of setting up and hosting public organics drop-off sites in the county.
The county released a request for proposals in early 2025. The county received one proposal, a $15,000 request from the Hennepin Recycling Group, a joint powers organization consisting of the cities of Brooklyn Center, Crystal, and New Hope, to establish one new organics drop-off site.
The City of Brooklyn Center does not currently have organics service for people who live in multifamily buildings. The proposed location of the organics drop-off is adjacent to the city’s most-used park: Centennial Park. The site is also adjacent to The Crest Apartments which has 122 units of affordable housing. Additionally, the city is working on the redevelopment of the properties on the east side of Shingle Creek Parkway. The Opportunity Site is proposed to have 7,795 housing units added in the coming years and is within a few blocks of the proposed organics drop off. The central location of the proposed site will be easily accessible to people who live in multifamily buildings.
Board approval is requested because the county has contracts with the Hennepin Recycling Group where expenditures exceed $100,000 during the previous 365 days.
Current Request: This request seeks authorization for the County Administrator to negotiate Agreement PR00007213 with the Hennepin Recycling Group for an organics drop-off grant, during the period of August 1, 2025, through August 1, 2027, with an amount not to exceed $15,000.
Impact/Outcomes: These funds will establish one new organics drop-off site in the county and increase access to organics recycling, especially for people who live in multifamily buildings not served by city programs. This drop-off site will increase service to almost 8,000 households who live in multifamily buildings.
Diverting organic material from the trash is a foundational strategy for the county’s Climate Action and Zero Waste plans. Increasing access to organics recycling supports these goals.
Organics drop-off grants also support the county’s disparity reduction efforts by increasing access to organics recycling for people who live in multifamily housing units that do not have curbside service or are in designated environmental justice areas.
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Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval