Let’s Talk Trash

Revised November 20, 2024

Shorewood leadership considered city organized trash collection in 2019. “Organized hauling” is when the city contracts with one hauler based on bids and the best service value. Results from a resident survey.¹in 2019 were all that was needed to shelve the discussion. A survey is a piece of a much larger pie. Other relevant data is available that should be factored into a sound decision by the council.

About the survey:

400 households (of approximately 2800) were surveyed.
The survey cost taxpayers $4000.
Results were discussed with the research company in a May 2019 council work session, along with a representative of Randy’s Sanitation, who was opposed.
Before the survey, waste haulers lobbied residents to keep the open system by emphasizing that “competition drives down costs.”

The survey revealed that:

76% of respondents wanted to choose their own waste hauler.
76% believed the cost was more competitive under an open collection system.
64% said they change haulers for a lower rate.

Facts that may affect consumer decisions:

More service for less money.
Less damage to city streets: The Colorado Dept. of Transportation reported that each additional garbage truck causes a local street to wear out 7000 times faster and stresses the pavement more than 9300 times as much as an SUV.*
* Estimated cost of an asphalt street reclamation (2024) is $190.24 per foot.
The city already has a contract with a single hauler for recycling.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) published a report in 2009 educating consumers about organized waste hauling, and the garbage trucks’ impact on infrastructure and the environment.
Services that can be customized to cart size, pick-up frequency or including organics may increase support.
According to data from In the Public Interest, approximately 78% of municipalities in the United States contract with private companies to outsource waste hauling.

Changes since the 2019 survey:

Rates have increased exponentially, along with additional fees including cart deposits, disposal taxes and cart pick-up fees when canceling service.
Between the administration of the survey (Feb. 2019) and Nov. 1, 2024, 788 properties** (26%) were sold in Shorewood. This could imply a change in demographics and attitude.
**Source: NorthStar MLS, Nov. 2024
The experience of HOAs using a single hauler (Country Club and Boulder Bridge) could be used as reference points for customer experience.

Pros and Cons of Organized Waste Collection
Advantages	Disadvantages
Lower cost per household Decreased damage from heavy trucks on streets Decreased fuel consumption Greater control to choose service requirements and options Regular competitive bidding to promote lower costs	Households do not have a choice of hauler More administrative involvement by the city Competitive opportunities may be limited for small haulers Statutory process to convert from open to organized collection could be cumbersome and difficult politically
Source: Analysis of Waste Collection Service Arrangements, MPCA, June 2009

**Approximate Shorewood cost/quarter in 2023 (65 gallon cart)*:**

Republic

Curbside

Waste Management

$83.54

$70.56

$72.00

*Recycling charges are an additional $16.00/quarter charged on the utility bill.

Sampling of cities with organized collection/quarter*
Hopkins	$72.00 /65-gallon cart Recycling and organics additional $34.59 quarter²
St. Louis Park	$95.19 /60-gallon cart, recycling, compost and yard waste³
Deephaven	$69.33 /includes recycling⁴
Tonka Bay	$101.79 / includes recycling⁵
*Rates are subject to state (9.75%) and county fees 15.5% in 2023 ).

In summary, the survey is old news. Turnover of residents and economics may have changed attitudes toward contracted services. Data is available for the financial impact of heavy trucks on public roadway and infrastructure.

SCA Opinion

Respondents did not have the facts about the costs and benefits of organized collection, giving the outdated survey little value. Unfortunately, in this instance, the council used it as cover to avoid a tough political decision.

The damage to city infrastructure under the current system is expensive and well known. More importantly, the city can’t ignore the environmental damage caused by multiple, carbon emitting trash trucks following the same routes. Council members have spoken publicly about being elected to protect the environment and “make the tough decisions.” Well, this is the tough decision that the “stewards” of the city need to make. Time for them to educate residents and support organized trash collection. ^{6, 7, 8}

Contact City Council Members

Dustin Maddy (612) 293-6727 dmaddy@ci.shorewood.mn.us
Jennifer Labadie (952) 836-8719 jlabadie@ci.shorewood.mn.us
Scott Zerby (952) 905-4444 szerby@ci.shorewood.mn.us (until 12/31/2024)
Guy Sanschagrin (952) 217-1289 gsanschagrin@ci.shorewood.mn.us
Paula Callies (763) 546-8020 pcallies@ci.shorewood.mn.us (until 12/31/2024)

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If you read nothing else, read this: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency report