Sioux Falls company pitches single stream recycling services

With the expiration of the city's recycling contractor approaching, a Sioux Falls recycling company made its pitch to the Mitchell City Council during Monday's meeting at City Hall.

Millennium Recycling Inc. President Shannon Dwire opened the presentation, accompanied by two other representatives, and highlighted the benefits their single stream recycling service has on the communities they serve.

Millennium Recycling is a Materials Recovery Facility company that uses the single stream method, meaning a hauler transports the recycled items to their Sioux Falls facility where they are sorted into various commodity streams to be sold. The city currently pays Aberdeen-based Dependable Recycling $23,800 per month. That contract expires Dec. 31.

"It's more effective, and there is way more participation, along with more convenience," Dwire said, noting that up to 500 percent participation increases have been reported. "With one bin, there is less litter and handling costs."

Dwire used the recycling participation rate increase the city of Yankton has experienced-a community the company recently acquired in 2017-as an example of the impact single stream has on recycling participation in communities. According to Dwire, Yankton increased recycling just over 35 percent from the previous year, which doubled from 24 percent to 52 percent after the first year.

Providing recycling education to spike participation rates is done through outreach programs, which is a top priority for Millennium, Dwire said. Dwire also referenced a generational disconnect with the practice of recycling as an example of why the company emphasizes recycling education in the communities it serves.

"Generations before us saw the value of using products to their full potential, but as our 'throw away culture' has grown, that's changed," Dwire said. "Americans throw out 4.4 pounds of trash per person, per day. And burning trash may seem simple in the short-term, but the impact of recycling is vital for the long-term."

The company receives recycled items from within 250 miles from Sioux Falls, including communities in Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and Canada.

At Millennium's MRF facility, the recycled items are processed and sold to states across the upper Midwest. Dwire said Millennium processes 125 tons of recyclables per day, which equates to 50,000 tons per year.

"Our paper and cardboard stays in the Midwest," Dwire said. "Our aluminum, tin and steel goes all over the country. And our glass goes to Minnesota, which is used for products like fiberglass and countertops."

According to Dwire, Millennium's primary recyclable materials consists of cardboard, paper, metal, cans, plastic bottles, jugs and glass products. The non-recyclables items include needles, pills, metal, rubber, plastic bags, electronics and bulbs.

With the single stream method, Millennium would allow a hauling contractor of the city's choice. Regardless of the city's decision to provide a recycling bin, all acceptable recyclables would be transported to Millennium's Sioux Falls facility.

"We do not compete with haulers, rather they are our customers," Dwire said. "Each customer has their own requirements and mix of materials. Our services are catered to customer requirements and physical needs."

Dwire broke down the impact recycling has on landfills by providing facts about the Sioux Falls landfill. To construct one landfill cell in Sioux Falls-which are the designated areas at landfills where trash items are piled together-is $6 million. She said the average lifespan of a landfill cell in Sioux Falls is eight years. Mitchell's landfill has 14 cells, and is in its 13th year of a 100 year life-span.

Councilwoman Susan Tjarks asked whether the company accepts contaminated recyclable items.

"We want any excess food thrown out of cardboard, but if it's just lightly greased we accept it," Dwire said. "We allow all bottles and jars, including all colors."

Dwire provided a rough cost estimate for the city of Mitchell, should it choose the Sioux Falls company as the recycling contractor.

Using data Millennium compiled for the city of Mitchell, 440 tons of recycled items are collected in Mitchell per year. Dwire said the estimated cost for the city's current recycling program is roughly $285,000 for 440 tons of recyclables, equating to $649.09 per ton. However, the Millennium representatives believe switching to single stream would significantly reduce that cost.

"With our cost-sharing opportunities and proven track record of boosting participation, we feel single stream would greatly benefit Mitchell," Dwire said.

Consent agenda

The following items were considered as part of the consent agenda:

• Approved the minutes of the June 3 council meeting.

• Approved minutes from the May 28 city planning commission meeting.

• Approved department reports.

• Set the date for the following hearings: July 1 for the application of West Coast Tacos for an (on-off sale) malt beverage license to be located at 108 N. Main St. (video lottery not included); July 1 for the application of Corn Palace Shrine Club's special event liquor license to be located at the Masonic Temple on July 28 for a banquet; July 1 for the application of Corn Palace Shrine Club's special event liquor license to be located at the Masonic Temple on Aug. 2, for a golf banquet; July 1 for the application to transfer retail (on sale) liquor license from American Legion Coacher-Goetsch Post 18 to Mitchell Area Development Corporation.

• Approved volunteer appointees: Dennis Nath to the Library Board; Andy Jerke to the Parks and Recreation Board, filling an unexpired term from June 2019 to July 2021.

• Approved change order for East Havens water main loop Project No. 2018-25 to Menning Backhoe.

• Approved request to apply for Section 5311 Department of Transportation grant funds.

• Approved May 30 and June 17 gas and fuel quotations.

• Approved June 17 pay estimates.

• Approved bills, payroll, salary adjustments and new employee hires.

Other business

• Pledge of Allegiance, received invocation from First United Methodist Church, roll call, heard citizens' input.

• Met with the Traffic Commission at 6 p.m., followed by the Public Health and Safety committee.

• Approved consent agenda with amending the purchase of a backhoe for wastewater project No. 2019-41 from the Sourcewell Equipment contract.

• Approved Traffic Committee and Public Health and Safety Committee reports.

• Held hearings on the following: On the application to transfer retail (on-sale) RL-19079 liquor license from Anisa Deinert, doing business as Potter's Plus Studio at 100 N. Main Street to Jades doing business as Jades at 107 N. Main Street; On the application of Exchange Club for a special event malt beverage license to be located at Cadwell Park from Aug. 7-18 for the State Amateur Baseball Tournament.

• Approved agreement No. A2019-25, an agreement for actuarial services with Silverstone Group.

• Approved Resolution No. R2019-43, a plat of lot 12 and Meadows Court of Iverson's addition, located in lot B of the southeast quarter of section 33, township 103 north, range 60 west of the fifth P.M., Davison County.

• Approved Resolution No. R2019-44, a plat of lot 6, block 4 of the Woods first addition, a subdivision of the East half of the southwest quarter of section 23, township 103 north, range 60 west of the fifth P.M, city of Mitchell.

• Approved Resolution No. R2019-45, a plat of lot 6, block 9 of Westwood first addition, a subdivision of block 4 of Westwood addition in the northwest quarter of section 16, township 103 north, range 60 west of the fifth P.M, city of Mitchell.

• Approved Resolution No. R2019-46, a plat of lot 65 of Maui Farms second addition, a subdivision of the southeast quarter of Section 31, township 104 north, range 60 west of the fifth P.M, city of Mitchell.

• Reconvened as City Council.

• Held second reading of Ordinance No. O2019-08, adding a new section to chapter 4-7: Pawnbrokers. The state legislature passed House Bill 1056 this year, which further restricted local governments from regulating firearms and ammunition. The city of Mitchell's chapter regulating pawnbrokers has reporting requirements for items they receive. Due to the state law, these reporting requirements can no longer apply to firearms, ammunition and their components.

• Considered entering into an executive session.