Project Overview
The City of Elk River has organized solid waste collection for its residents through two haulers (Randy’s Environmental Services and Republic Services). The haulers are under contract with the City of Elk River until 2022. Residential accounts are set up and billed through Elk River Municipal Utilities. Customers pay a monthly fee on their utility bill for their collection services based on the size of the garbage cart, the rate of pick up, and whether or not they participate in organics waste collection. The haulers take the garbage to Great River Energy, which also charges the city for disposal and separation of compostable bags.
The city’s contract fee to the haulers is set until 2022, but the residential customer rates have not been adjusted since 2013. Students will examine whether current customer rates offset the current costs to the city or whether the city is subsidizing collection. Also, students will explore options for billing the “free” recycling (fee currently included with garbage charge) separately from garbage to prevent recycling charges from being taxed. Finally, students will examine the possibility of eliminating the separate charge of organics collection (possibly by incorporating the residential fee for organics collection into garbage collection fees).
Project Overview Poster
City Outcomes
Based on the information provided in the student project, a proposal was made by city staff to the City Council for a new waste rate structure in 2018
Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner.
Sustainable Communities Partnership Contact Info
University Faculty Contact
Michael Walrath
Economics
walrath@stthomas.edu
6519625680
Local Government / Community Contact
Kristin Mroz
Enviornmental Technician