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Trash Collection in Falcon Heights
The Basics
- Property owners must contract their own trash pickup from one of the haulers licensed by the City. (Current list)
- All trash pickup is on Friday. Put your container out by 7:00 a.m. Containers must not be left out more than 24 hours.
- We have city-wide recycling pickup on the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month. Click here for more recycling information.
2004: Looking Into Organized Collection
On January 26, the City Council voted NOT to implement organized collection. Instead, the haulers will enter into a voluntary agreement with the City to take certain measures to mitigate the impact of the trucks and to give customers more service options. More information will be coming.
Organized Collection
- means a City arranging a contract for garbage pickup on behalf of residents, with a hauler or haulers
- does NOT mean City-owned trucks and City drivers
- has NOT been adopted in Falcon Heights, but a study is under way to find out if this would benefit residents
- When will the final decision be made? After the statutory period of discussion, planning and study, most likely in January, 2005.
- Most cities, including Falcon Heights, use organized collection for curbside recycling pickup.
Background:
On the recommendation of the City's Solid Waste Commission, Falcon Heights City Council decided on January 28, 2004, to look into the possibility of negotiating a trash collection contract on behalf of all residents in single-family dwellings. This is called “organized collection.” Minnesota Statute § 115A.94 allows cities to do this and gives very specific rules on the process. At the end of the process Falcon Heights may or may not decide to go for organized collection.
A letter was sent to all residents in single-family homes to let them know about the plans. The City also wrote to our licensed garbage haulers to invite them to participate in the study and discussion, and to business owners to let them know what is going on. Commercial properties and large apartment buildings are not included in the present process.
There will be several public hearings for information and feedback. The first hearing was on March 24, 2004. After the hearing the Council voted a “resolution of intent“ that permits study and discussion to continue on this topic. This is required by Statute § 115A.94. The Council will not decide on whether or not to adopt organized collection for at least 6 months.
Bookmark this page for further information as it become available.
History of the Organized Collection Issue in Falcon Heights
| 1990 |
City Council last considered organizing trash collection, on the recommendation of the Solid Waste Commission. Organized Collection was not adopted, although options were left open. |
| 2002 |
Ramsey and Washington Counties enter into the organized collection process defined by Minnesota Statute 115A.94. In the end organized collection was not adopted, although it was retained as an option if environmental goals are not met. |
| 2002 |
Solid Waste Commission reactivated after several years of inactivity to consider future of the City recycling contract and to develop a comprehensive plan for solid waste disposal in Falcon Heights. Commission develops mission statement and goals and recommend extension of recycling contract with EZ. |
| 2002 |
City Wide Survey — include several questions related to trash collection, formulated by the Commission |
| January, 2003 |
Commission begins a year of research and discussion on all aspects of solid waste disposal, including new technologies in recycling. Concerns about long term environmental implications of trash disposal and impact of garbage trucks on city streets are some factors that lead the Commission to include organized collection in the program of study |
| February, 2003 |
On the recommendation of the Solid Waste Commission, used clothing and household textiles are added to the recyclables picked up twice a month at curbside. |
| July - November, 2003 |
Commission develops comprehensive goals for solid waste collection. Commission votes to convert Falcon Heights recycling to a 2-sort system, made possible by major upgrades of sorting technology at EZ |
| December, 2003 |
Solid Waste Commission votes to recommend to the City Council that the City enter into the process ordained in Minnesota Statute 115A.94 to more formally consider the option of organized collection. Commission adopts final list of goals and send it to the Council for endorsement |
| January, 2004 |
By resolution, City Council adopts the solid waste goals and directs Staff to proceed with the steps laid down in MN Statute 115A.94. The required public hearing is scheduled. Letters are sent to residents, business owners, apartment owners, and to the garbage haulers registered to do business in the City. |
| March, 2004 |
Public Hearing on March 24. Council adopted “Resolution of Intent” to organize, but stressed that final decision will only be made after a period of study. Staff recorded input from the public. |
| April, 2004 |
Solid Waste Commission met with haulers to listen to their ideas on how the City goals can be met. Commissioners visited the Newport Resource Recovery Facility. |
| May, 2004 |
The Commission met with haulers again on May 12. There was a public information meeting on May 20, at which Commissioners reported on their progress, responded to some concerns that were raised at the march 24 hearing, and took comments from the public. |
| June, 2004 |
Commissioners met with the City Attorney to explore licensing and regulation options other than organized collection. A large amount of research material has been collected and is being read. On June 22, Commissioners toured the Elk River Landfill. On June 23, the Commission presented an interim progress report to the Council and asked for more time to complete the study. |
| July - September, 2004 |
Research continued |
| October, 2004 |
Commission presents the final report on the study requested by the Council. Commission presents their recommendation and the recommendation of the haulers. Ninety (90) day statutory discussion period begins. |
| October 18 - December 30 |
Comments accepted from the public. |
| January, 2005 |
City Council voted not to implement organized collection at this time. |
How Do I Pay For Trash And Recycling Collection?
- You will be billed by your hauler for trash collection. Most haulers bill monthly; some have quarterly billing available.
- Your trash bill includes an item called CEC or County Environmental Charge. This is the cost of dumping your trash in the place where it finally ends up. This charge used to be on your property tax bill. Since April, 2003, it has been on your garbage bill.
- The recycling fee comes as part of your water bill. All residents must pay this fee whether they recycle or not. Falcon Heights' recycling fees are among the lowest in the Metro area.
- You can save money by recycling more (it doesn't cost more!) and switching to a smaller trash container.
What is this CEC charge on my garbage bill?
CEC stands for the County Environmental Charge. This replaces the Waste Management Service Charge that has appeared on property tax statements since 1986. You no longer pay the Waste Management Service Charge with your property tax. Now you pay the CEC with your waste hauling bill. It is probably less than you used to pay for the WMSC. This charge helps cover the cost of disposing of your trash after your hauler collects it from your street or alley.
For more information, go to the Ramsey County website. Top | Recycling | Home
© 2004 City of Falcon Heights
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