Item Description:
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Amd 1 to PR00006817 with MN Waste Wise Foundation, ext end date to 12/31/28, increase NTE by $304,355 for a new total NTE of $707,355
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Amendment 1 to PR00006817 with Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation, extending the end date from January 31, 2028 to December 31, 2028, and increasing the total amount from $403,000 to a new not-to-exceed amount of $707,355, be approved; that following the review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the Amendment on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse 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 Solid Waste Management Plan.
The county has contracted with Minnesota Waste Wise since 2022 to develop and implement the MNimize campaign targeting the reduction of single-use plastics at restaurants and foodservice businesses in Hennepin County (Resolutions 22-0035 and 25-0025). Participants receive recognition for their efforts, customized assistance including waste audits and sustainable product consulting, and access to rebates to help cover the cost of swapping single-use products with durable or compostable equivalents. Since 2022, more than 170 Hennepin County businesses have participated in MNimize. It’s estimated that over 1 million plastic items have been avoided, and businesses have achieved total cost savings of over $100,000 due to the changes they have implemented.
The proposed amendment to PR00006817 seeks to expand on the program’s success. The amendment extends the period to cover all of 2028, and the increased funding will be used to recruit a minimum of 75 new businesses per year (up from 50 participants) and add a new “skip the stuff” program component.
Skip the Stuff is a waste prevention strategy focused on reducing unnecessary single-use fo...
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