Future SWMCB annual reports will include new indicators as programs outlined in the Master Plan are implemented, particularly in the areas of source reduction, household hazardous waste and nonMSW, where new initiatives are being undertaken in 1999.

Source: County SCORE and Certification Reports. 1998 data is pending OEA review.

The region continues to focus on landfill abatement through increased recycling and processing to offset the trend toward greater waste generation.

• The percent of MSW recycled dropped slightly to 47.7% (including 8% yard waste and source reduction credits). The tonnage of materials recycled continued to increase.
• There was a slight increase in net tons of MSW delivered for processing in 1998.
• Landfilling has grown significantly. In 1998, the region landfilled 167,000 tons more than in 1996, an increase of 30%. Tons of waste landfilled out-of-State has remained relatively flat since 1996. In-state landfilling has increased 84% since 1996.
• Recycling accounted for 40% of the MSW managed, processing 36%, landfilling 23% and problem materials otherwise managed accounted for 2%. [Note that this adds to 101% because some materials are both recycled and processed and because of MSW processed as secondary waste. To derive total MSW managed one must include tons of problem materials and subtract recycling at facilities and secondary processing. See Attachment A.]
   

The region continues to operate a regional hauler licensing program, issuing 245 base licenses and 650 operating licenses for the 1998-99 license year.

Source reduction, often called waste reduction or waste prevention, is the highest priority for managing waste at the national, state and regional level. The need for the reduction priority is clear. Waste generation continues to grow at increasing rates and the costs of managing the growth in the waste stream will be significant. If the waste is reduced at the source, these management costs will be avoided.
 

1. TOTAL MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE (MSW) MANAGEMENT
 

Source: County SCORE and Certification Reports

• The region managed 3,098,373 million tons of MSW in 1998; an increase of 5% over 1997.
• The region exceeded its 1998 projected tons of MSW by 38,000 tons.
• Projected MSW for 2003 takes into account that the Principal Reduction Outcome is met. If the Reduction Outcome is not met, the region will need to manage an additional 235,000 tons in 2003.

Total MSW managed includes tons managed through recycling, problem materials managed, processing and landfilling. It does not include yard waste. Counties track this data through municipal recycling reports and facility reports. The commercial recycling tonnage is a combination of documented recycling and an estimate. Appendix A shows a breakdown of county specific MSW management, as well as a breakdown of processing and landfilling.
 

2. MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE (MSW) MANAGEMENT PER CAPITA
 

The MSW stream is estimated to be comprised of 45% residential waste and 55% commercial waste. Appendix A shows a breakdown of county specific MSW management, as well as a breakdown of processing and landfilling practices.
 

3. MATERIALS EXCHANGE
 

By 2003, the toxic/hazardous character of MSW will be reduced.
 

The Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan requires the region to give source reduction and the reduction of toxic/hazardous waste the highest priority in planning for and development of the regional solid waste management system (Policy 5.1.2.1). The Regional Solid Waste Master Plan includes implementation strategies to support achievement of outcomes, including:

• Emphasis on product stewardship to shift responsibility for managing products with toxic/hazardous components to manufacturers and retailers.
• Continued collection and management of HHW that is not being managed through private sector initiatives.
• Increased coordination of hazardous waste regulatory activities including education and technical assistance.
• Strengthened regional and State collaborations through the Reciprocal Use Program and MPCA HHW Contract.

The following indicators demonstrate achievements of county and regional programs. Further gains in the area of product stewardship are expected in the future.
 

4. HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (HHW) PROGRAM PARTICIPATION
 

 

1995	1996	1997	1998
66,462	75,475	92,143	103,425

• The number of vehicles served at HHW facilities in the six county region increased by 12% between 1997 and 1998.
• Total vehicles served per year has increased 56% since 1995.
• The region used HHW drop-off locations as an educational opportunity to teach residents about purchasing decisions and waste management practices.
• Reciprocal use grew from 1,811 vehicles in 1997 to 2,703 vehicles in 1998, a 49% increase.

Vehicles served represents a general indication of the level of participation in HHW programs. Counties also estimate number of households served based on information provided by participants. In 1998, 103,425 vehicles represented 121,892 households served or about 13% of the number of households in the region.
 

5. AMOUNT OF HHW COLLECTED
 

 

1995	1996	1997	1998
4,112,615	5,065,695	6,242,833	7,101,565

• Pounds of material collected increased by 24% between 1997 and 1998. (Excludes paint cans, represented by shaded areas in graph.)
• Pounds of materials collected has increased by 79% since 1995. (Excludes paint cans, represented by shaded areas in graph.)

Some wastes are weighed, such as batteries, but many of the waste streams are measured with volume measures such as gallons or drums. These volume measures are converted to pounds so that a total figure can be calculated and trends assessed. Conversion factors are based on actual samples of wastes collected at metropolitan program sites. Collection of electronic equipment began in 1996, which is partly responsible for the increase in household hazardous waste collected from 1995 to 1996.
 

6. HOW HHW WAS MANAGED
    

• In accordance with Minnesota’s waste management hierarchy, most HHW collected was recycled or fuel-blended. In addition, reuse shelves provide a popular service to residents while maintaining the value of products that would otherwise become waste. Wastes that cannot be reused, recycled or fuel-blended are managed at hazardous waste incinerators or landfills.
   

7. PROGRAM COST PER VEHICLE
 

• Cost per vehicle increased by 6% between 1997 and 1998, however, cost per vehicle has declined by 29% since 1995.

Cost per vehicle is the figure used by counties as the basis for reciprocal use charges. Costs reflected here are net of certain revenues such as donations, reimbursements, citizen fees, etc., which represent approximately 5% of total program costs.
 

8. LICENSED HAZARDOUS WASTE GENERATORS
    

• The number of licenses issued declined in 1998 primarily as a result of the creation of a "minimal generator" category of low-risk generators in Dakota County. Over 500 licensed generators were shifted into a registrant system, creating a decline in licenses issued.

Appendix C shows a breakdown of large, small, and very small quantity generators licensed in the region.
 

9. HAZARDOUS WASTE INSPECTIONS
 

• The number of inspections performed declined significantly in 1998 for a number of reasons, including the shift to a minimal generator category in Dakota County. Other counties’ activity in this area also declined, partly due to change in the method for accounting for inspections.

Appendix C shows a breakdown of inspections performed in the region.
 

Recycling is an integral component of the integrated waste management system and supports the Policy Plan goals of landfill abatement, resource conservation and generator responsibility.
 

10. PERCENT OF MSW RECYCLED – COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL

Source: County SCORE and Certification Reports.

• The percent of recycling peaked in 1995 and 1996; thereafter the region experienced a slight decrease in percent of material recycled.
• Though the percentage of tons has not increased since 1995, total tons recycled continues to increase as the amount of MSW generated increases.

Recycling percentage is calculated first as a tonnage percentage of total MSW. From there, counties are authorized by the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance to add a credit of up to 8% to the tonnage percentage if waste reduction and yard waste programs are in place. A significant portion of commercial recycling is estimated tonnage. Residential tonnages are documented through municipal programs and drop-off sites.
  

The region’s waste is primarily processed at HERC, NRG Newport and NSP Elk River. Total capacity at these three facilities is estimated to be 1,165,000 tons. The percent of available capacity that is used at any point in time may fluctuate based on a variety of considerations, including markets.
  

11. TONS OF MSW PROCESSED
 

• Net tons of MSW delivered for processing remained fairly stable since 1996, with a slight increase in tons in 1998.
• As shown in the landfilling section, excess waste and non-processible waste increased significantly.

Net tons of MSW are the tons of MSW delivered for processing that were actually processed. Excess and non-processible waste is MSW that was delivered to processing facilities or transfer stations for processing, but because of capacity constraints or other issues, could not be processed. Appendix A shows a breakdown of county specific MSW management, as well as a breakdown of processing and landfilling practices.
 

12. PERCENT OF AVAILABLE WASTE PROCESSED
 

• In 1998, the region processed 61% of the waste available after reduction and recycling.

This percentage reflects the amount of waste available for processing (processed and landfilled waste) that was actually processed. Appendix A shows a breakdown of county specific MSW management, as well as a breakdown of processing and landfilling practices.
 

Landfills have a role in the integrated solid waste management system and sufficient capacity is needed for waste that cannot be reduced, recycled or processed. However, landfilling is the least preferred management strategy. The Policy Plan recognizes that the private sector has primary responsibility for the delivery of landfilling services (Policy 5.4.2.2). The region’s role will be that of system assessment.
 

13. AMOUNT OF UNPROCESSED MSW LANDFILLED
 

• Landfilling has grown significantly. In 1998, the region landfilled 167,000 tons more than in 1996, an increase of 30%.
• Tons of waste landfilled out-of-State has remained relatively flat since 1996. Out-of-State landfilling peaked in 1995.
• Tons of waste landfilled in-State has increased significantly. In 1998, the increase in in-State landfilling is partially offset by a decrease in excess and non-processible waste.
• 1998 landfilling exceeded the amount projected for 2003 by 124,000 tons.

Excess and non-processibles are wastes that were delivered to the processing facility or transfer station, but were not able to be processed due to capacity constraints or other operational issues.
 

The Regional Hauler Licensing Program which began in 1995 provides for the issuance of one base license by the county in which the hauler is based and an operating license by each county in which a hauler operates. The base license provisions, including insurance requirements, fees, hauler application form and license year are consistent throughout the region. Each county involved in the regional hauler licensing program has individual authority to enforce licensing requirements and/or take action against a hauler violating such requirements.
  

14. REGIONAL HAULER LICENSES ISSUED
 

• The number of base and operating licenses issued has remained relatively flat since the program began in 1995.
• The license year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30.

The number of licenses issued changes throughout the year. Though applications for the following license year are due May 1 of each year, licenses are also issued upon request throughout the year because new haulers enter the market, mergers and acquisitions occur and requests for changes to the hauler’s area of operation are made. Self haulers are also included in the license data. The indicator represents the number of haulers licenses in August of each year.

Scott County will continue its involvement in the Regional Hauler Licensing Program through June 30, 1999. Therefore, the data presented includes Scott County licenses.
  

15. LICENSE FEES COLLECTED
 

• License fees have remained at $50.00 per licensed vehicle since the program began in 1995.
• The increase in fees is generally a result of haulers licensing more vehicles. As shown above, the number of haulers do not change significantly.

The fees collected do not include late application fees. The data presented includes Scott County license fees collected.