DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
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Discussion And Direction On Accepting Mattresses Or Appliances At Recycling Zone Plus
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Discuss and provide direction on accepting mattresses and appliances at the new Recycling Zone Plus (RZP).
SUMMARY
Dakota County is constructing the Recycling Zone Plus (RZP) in the city of Lakeville, the first household hazardous waste and recycling facility owned and operated by the County, in partnership with Scott County. With the opening of the new RZP, Dakota and Scott Counties have the opportunity to offer additional material recycling and reuse options to residents.
The Dakota County Solid Waste Management Plan includes strategies to support the reuse and recycling of challenging household items such as mattresses and appliances:
• Increase residential reuse opportunities using County collection facilities (e.g., Recycling Zone, Recycling Zone Plus) for household items that are challenging to reuse (e.g., household hazardous waste, problem materials, bicycles, and mattresses) (#21a).
• Support the collection of household items that are challenging to recycle (#35).
In 2025, appliances were the most searched term on the Dakota County Recycling Guide with 12,231 searches, followed by mattresses as the third most with 6,248.
Collection of mattresses at the RZP will provide the opportunity to reuse about 300 mattresses per year and recycle the remaining. Quality mattresses will be donated to an organization that helps people in need and the rest will be taken apart off-site so materials can be recycled. Currently, landfilling is the primary management method available for mattresses, with only one facility in Dakota County offering reuse and recycling of mattresses.
Management of appliances at the RZP will provide residents a one-stop option to manage more of their materials in a single site visit. Scott County currently accepts appliances for a fee at its existing facility.
Staff reached out to the residential solid waste haulers serving Dakota County and all the facilities that currently take both mattresses and appliances. There were no concerns over Dakota County collecting these materials as a drop-off item. The haulers and facilities primarily pick up residential items and do not see a drop-off site as significant competition. Residents are not required to bring these materials to the RZP and may continue to use existing management methods such as through their curbside hauler for a fee or self-haul to a drop-off for a fee.
If accepted at the RZP, over 5,000 appliances and 3,000 mattresses per year are expected to be dropped off by residents.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends collection of mattresses and appliances at the Recycling Zone Plus. If county board agrees, staff will bring back for approval through the 2027 fee schedule process.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
A fee will be charged to participants for management of appliances and mattresses and set to cover all recycling and reuse, labor, and site costs. The preliminary projected costs are $20 for appliances and $50 for mattresses. Other metro counties charge $10-$15 for appliances and $20-$25 for mattresses. Final fees will be set by the County Board in the 2027 fee schedule.
Revenue is projected to be $151,000 for mattresses and $105,000 for appliances. The direct costs to recycle and reuse mattresses is projected to be $111,000 and to recycle appliances is projected to be $13,000 per year. The remaining $132,000 will cover on-site labor and other site costs. Final costs will be negotiated as part of vendor contracts and will be included in the County Manager’s recommended 2027 budget.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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Information only; no action requested.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Presentation Slides
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☒ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Nikki Stewart
Author: Nikki Stewart