Beverage Container Recycling in Minnesota Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board Board Meeting

2007 Solid Waste Policy Report The 2007 Solid Waste Policy Report set a goal to recycle 80 percent of beverage containers in Minnesota by The 2007 Solid Waste Policy Report set a goal to recycle 80 percent of beverage containers in Minnesota by The MPCA committed to consider these options: The MPCA committed to consider these options: A producer responsibility program for the collection and recycling of beverage containers. A producer responsibility program for the collection and recycling of beverage containers. A traditional container deposit program. A traditional container deposit program. A disposal ban on beverage containers. A disposal ban on beverage containers.

Beverage Container Product Stewardship Initiative Held 4 stakeholder meetings between September 2008 and January Held 4 stakeholder meetings between September 2008 and January Stakeholders were responsible for developing strategies that could advance the State toward the 80% goal. Stakeholders were responsible for developing strategies that could advance the State toward the 80% goal. Container deposit was not discussed. Container deposit was not discussed. Complete report is available here: Complete report is available here:

Data Sources (SCORE) – The Governors Select Committee on Recycling and Environment (CRI) The Container Recycling Institute Statewide Waste Composition Studies Minneapolis Curbside Recycling Rate Studies (Capture Rate) City of Minneapolis Recycling Data Waste-To-Energy Facility Waste Sorts Olmsted County Hennepin County Sales Data from the Minnesota Beverage Association State of Minnesota Liquor Tax Data

Current Recycling Rate in MN The recycling rate was calculated in 10 different ways using various data sources. The recycling rate was calculated in 10 different ways using various data sources. The average recycling rate for beverage containers are as follows: The average recycling rate for beverage containers are as follows: Aluminum cans 33% Aluminum cans 33% Glass bottles 47% Glass bottles 47% PET bottles 24% PET bottles 24% All Containers 35% All Containers 35%

SCORE MN recycling rate for all materials has remained between 40% and 45% since MN recycling rate for all materials has remained between 40% and 45% since SCORE data is not beverage container specific, but trends and progress can be shown. Dates back to SCORE data is not beverage container specific, but trends and progress can be shown. Dates back to 1993.

Capture Rate Study. Hennepin County collaborated with the City of Minneapolis to complete a capture rate study in Curbside data with 870 random homes selected in 69 of the 81 neighborhoods of Minneapolis. : The curbside recycling rates for beverage containers : Metal Cans 29.32% Plastic Bottles 30.59% Glass 51.45% The curbside recycling rate for all recyclables was 44.47% Most accurate curbside recycling rates, recommended by MBA Consultant.

Capture Rate Cont.

City of Minneapolis Tonnage Data

Waste Composition Study Minnesotas most recent statewide waste composition study was completed in Previous was Minnesotas most recent statewide waste composition study was completed in Previous was ,160 tons of containers 128,160 tons of containers Table: 1999 Waste Composition Study Statewide Aggregate Composition Material Categories % Composition PET Bottles/Jars - Clear 0.4% PET Bottles/Jars - Colored 0.2% HDPE Bottles – Natural 0.3% Aluminum Beverage Containers 0.7% Clear Glass Containers 1.3% Green Glass Containers 0.3% Brown Glass Containers 0.4% Total3.6%

Olmsted Waste to Energy Table: 2004 Olmsted Study Material Categories % Composition HDPE w/neck 0.68% PET w/neck 1.13% Aluminum Cans 0.61% Food and Beverage Glass 2.24% Total4.66% Little info regarding methodology, report has not been located as of now, just the results. Little info regarding methodology, report has not been located as of now, just the results. 165,896 Tons of Containers 165,896 Tons of Containers

HERC Waste To Energy Sort Waste sort from the tipping floor of Hennepin Energy Resource Company Waste sort from the tipping floor of Hennepin Energy Resource Company Beverage containers are not specifically called out Beverage containers are not specifically called out Table: 2007 HERC Study Material Categories % Composition Plastic – HDPE 4.2% Plastic – PET 3.2% Non-Ferrous Metals – Aluminum 1.7% Glass4.4% Total13.5%

Container Recycling Institute – Beverage Marketing Data Analysis CRI is a national group that supports container deposit legislation. CRI is a national group that supports container deposit legislation. Provide data for all 50 states. Provide data for all 50 states. Includes sales data, estimated recovery from container deposits, and estimated revenue from unredeemed deposits under 5 and 10 cent scenarios. Includes sales data, estimated recovery from container deposits, and estimated revenue from unredeemed deposits under 5 and 10 cent scenarios.

CRI Sales Data Containers Sold in Minnesota Millions of Units Beverage Type Aluminum Cans Plastic Bottles GlassTotal Carbonated 2, ,389 Non- Carbonated ,131 Total2,3201, ,520

Beverage Association Data Sales data generated from Beverage Marketing Data and statewide survey. Only data for carbonated alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages. Lower sales than CRI reports for carbonated beverages. CarbonatedBeveragesContainers(Millions) Aluminum1,928 PET356 Glass438 Total2,722

Beverage Association Data MBA MBA was concerned that State estimates in the 2007 Policy Report indicated that we recycled more aluminum than was sold.

Liquor Tax Data Tracks the sales of alcoholic beverages in MN. Tracks the sales of alcoholic beverages in MN. Data reported as gallons sold, which can be converted to units and tons. Data reported as gallons sold, which can be converted to units and tons.

State of MN Trend Estimates Trends indicate that we are collecting a smaller percentage of beverage containers each year. Trends indicate that we are collecting a smaller percentage of beverage containers each year. Not just MN, but nationally as well. Not just MN, but nationally as well.

Stakeholder Recommendations Financial Incentives (RecycleBank) Financial Incentives (RecycleBank) Curbside Organics Collection Curbside Organics Collection Extend Opportunity to Recycle to Multi- Family and Commercial Extend Opportunity to Recycle to Multi- Family and Commercial Dedicated Container Collection (Message in a Bottle) Dedicated Container Collection (Message in a Bottle) Disposal Ban Disposal Ban Increase Education Increase Education

Conclusion of Product Stewardship Initiative Currently recycling 35% of beverage containers in MN. Currently recycling 35% of beverage containers in MN. In order to achieve 80% recycling of these containers, collection needs to more than double. In order to achieve 80% recycling of these containers, collection needs to more than double. Many of the strategies require legislative action Many of the strategies require legislative action Due to the complexity and cost of the strategies developed, along with substantial stakeholder commitment, the State is unlikely to achieve the 80% goal by Due to the complexity and cost of the strategies developed, along with substantial stakeholder commitment, the State is unlikely to achieve the 80% goal by 2012.

Producer Responsibility (Packaging) Ontario (Liquor Deposit) Aluminum 44% Plastic 22% Glass 69% Germany (Container Deposit) Aluminum 76% Plastic 38% Glass 82% Japan Aluminum 89% Plastic 75% Glass 90% Australia Aluminum 70% Plastic 33% Glass 38%

Container Deposit There are 11 states with Container Deposit Laws. There are 11 states with Container Deposit Laws. The recycling rates vary: The recycling rates vary: Lowest (Massachusetts) 72% Lowest (Massachusetts) 72% Average78% Average78% Highest (Michigan)95% Highest (Michigan)95% Michigan has a 10 cent deposit, the rest have 5 cent deposits. Michigan has a 10 cent deposit, the rest have 5 cent deposits. Most laws only include 79% of all beverage containers. Most laws only include 79% of all beverage containers.

Disposal Ban Nova Scotia Nova Scotia No data from the ban, paired with container deposit, so it is difficult to identify diversion due to the ban. No data from the ban, paired with container deposit, so it is difficult to identify diversion due to the ban. North Carolina North Carolina No data yet. Goes into effect on October 1, 2009 No data yet. Goes into effect on October 1, 2009 Wisconsin (Conditional Ban) Wisconsin (Conditional Ban) 1994 Before Ban 1994 Before Ban Aluminum Tons 3,819 Aluminum Tons 3,819 Glass Tons 49,371 Glass Tons 49,371 Plastic Tons 12,017 Plastic Tons 12, After Ban 1995 After Ban Aluminum Tons 5,849 Aluminum Tons 5,849 Glass Tons 71,488 Glass Tons 71,488 Plastic Tons 19,415 Plastic Tons 19,415

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