Frequently Asked Questions

Get the Facts: Find answers to your questions

Questions about open and organized trash collection systems

  • The city’s current Open Collection system allows an unlimited number of haulers to obtain a license and directly contract with a resident to provide services. This means multiple garbage trucks from different companies are operating in the same neighborhoods. The system leads to more truck traffic, noise, harmful emissions and varied pricing and service quality.

    Mounds View currently has five separate companies collecting trash.

    Other metro area communities that use Open Collection system include Andover, Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids, Shoreview, and New Brighton.

  • With an Organized Collection system, the City contracts with a specific company or group of companies to pick up residential trash. If there are multiple companies, each is assigned a specific area, and only one hauler is picking up trash and recycling in that area.

    The Mounds View City Council identified three core goals for an Organized Collection system:

    • Reduce the number of trucks on the streets, which lowers noise and pollution.

    • Protect and maintain roads by minimizing wear and tear.

    • Provide clearer, more affordable pricing without hidden fees.

    If Organized Collection is approved, Mounds View will move forward with Organized Collection under one company, Lakeshore Recycling Systems. Metro area communities that use Organized Collection include Blaine, Columbia Heights, Maplewood, Little Canada, Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake, St. Anthony, and Richfield.

  • After intensive study and engagement with residents, the City Council decided to propose an Organized Collection system to improve road conditions, reduce environmental impact, and provide consistent, reliable, and affordable trash services to all residents.

    With Organized Collection, there will be fewer garbage trucks on the roads, which means less traffic and pollution. The city can also get better prices from the trash companies, creating savings for residents. Plus, an Organized Collection system would help keep our streets in better shape by reducing wear and tear from all those trucks.

  • An Organized Collection system protects customers by letting the city directly manage the quality of service, ensuring consistent and reliable trash pickup.

    In an Open Collection system, customers are left to handle complaints on their own. But with an Organized Collection, the city can address issues directly and hold the provider accountable, similar to a public utility. This setup provides fair treatment and improved service for residents. For example, the contract with Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) includes provisions to impose fiscal penalties for failure to perform, such as missed pickups. 

    An Organized Collection system also provides consistent and transparent pricing for trash and recycling services for all residents and will reduce trash and recycling service costs for the majority of residents.

  • The city identified a wide range of benefits for pursuing an Organized Collection system, including:

    • Lower Costs: Residents often pay less for Organized Collection because the city can negotiate better rates with a single company or a small group of companies. Billing will be clear with no confusing or unclear fees.

    • Fewer Trucks on the Road: With one hauler serving each area, there are fewer trucks driving around, which reduces traffic and pollution.

    • Less Road Damage: Fewer trucks mean less wear and tear on streets, which can improve road conditions and save money on road repairs.

    • Environmental Benefits: Reduced fuel usage from fewer trucks leads to lower emissions, helping the environment.

    • Better Neighborhood Coordination: With a set schedule and fewer trucks, the streets are cleaner and quieter on trash days.

    • Easier Recycling Programs: Cities can include recycling services as part of the Organized Collection, making it easier for residents to recycle.

  • During the Nov. 5 elections, Mounds View residents will decide whether to move forward with an Organized Collection system for trash and recycling or continue with Open Collection. Here is what voters will see on the ballot:

    CITY QUESTION

    Should The City Adopt Organized Residential Solid Waste Collection?

    Should the City establish a system for organized residential solid waste collection in which residential dwellings will have trash, recycling, and other solid waste collected by a City-designated hauler in a City-designated collection district? The organized collection system would replace the current competitive market collection system. A “Yes” vote is a vote to allow organized collection. A “No” vote is a vote against organized collection.

    ○ Yes

    ○ No

  • During a special election on April 9, Mounds View voters approved a city charter amendment requiring voter approval for the city to move to an Organized Collection system. The approval in April triggered the election for this November.

    On Nov. 5, residents will decide whether to approve the proposed Organized Collection system. If approved, the city will move forward in April 2025 under the terms of a negotiated contract with one provider, Lakeshore Recycling Systems.

  • No. Billing would be managed by the hauler, so the city would not have any private data, including seasonal/vacation holds, toter sizes, names, addresses, phone numbers, etc. 

    In accordance with Minnesota State Statute 115.93 Subd.5: “Customer lists provided to counties or cities by solid waste collectors are private data on individuals as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12, with regard to data on individuals, or nonpublic data as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 9, with regard to data not on individuals.”

Questions about the city’s plan for Organized Collection system

  • After reviewing seven competitive bids, the city agreed to a contract with Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS), whose proposal offered the lowest overall prices for residents. LRS operates 99 facilities and helps manage waste for over 130 cities.

  • Here’s a breakdown of the basic terms of service between Lakeshore Recycling Systems and the city of Mounds View. The contract is contingent on voter approval of an Organized Collection system during the Nov. 5 elections.

    Length of Contract: 7 years.

    New Trucks: LRS will buy two new trucks for the Mounds View contract.

    Annual Price Increase: Maximum of 3.5% per year for collection (the lowest among the seven bidders that the city considered), plus an increase tied to disposal fees that haulers pay.

    Penalties: Penalites if LRS doesn’t meet contract requirements

    Pick-Up Time: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., same as now.

    Pick-up Day:  Monday – Thursday with the city divided into four sections.

    Yard Waste Season: April 15 through November 30.

    Large/Bulky Items: Fees vary based on size:

    • Small items: $10 (e.g., tire, chair)

    • Medium items: $20 (e.g., small desk, toilet)

    • Large items: $35 (e.g., single mattress, large window)

    • Miscellaneous items: $50 (e.g., large TV, queen/king mattress)

    Walk-Up Service: Available for disabled residents.

    Holiday Tree Collection: Available for an extra fee.

    Billing: Quarterly, billed directly to the customer.

    Seasonal Service: Available with at least one week's notice.

  • Right now, Thursday is the trash collection day for everyone in Mounds View. All five haulers must pick up solid waste, yard waste, and recyclables on that day. If Organized Collection plan is approved by voters and LRS begins services, the city will be divided into four areas, and each area will have its own trash collection day.

    With Organized Collection, there will be one truck per day (or two on recycling week) rather than five (or 10) today on neighborhood streets, reducing noise, air pollution, and road damage. During summer months there will be three trucks on recycle week – Trash, Recycle and Yard Waste.

  • Here’s a breakdown of the quarterly costs for weekly trash and biweekly recycling services with Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS), including both the Minnesota Solid Waste Tax (9.75%) and the Ramsey County Waste Tax (28%):

    Standard Costs:

    • 35 Gallon Trash Cart Bi-Weekly:  $66.09

    • 35 Gallon Trash Cart:  $78.69

    • 65 Gallon Trash Cart:  $80.35

    • 95 Gallon Trash Cart:  $81.17

    Seniors (65+), Veterans and active Police, Fire and Ambulance personnel:

    • 35 Gallon Trash Cart Bi-Weekly:  $59.52

    • 35 Gallon Trash Cart:  $70.85

    • 65 Gallon Trash Cart:  $72.33

    • 95 Gallon Trash Cart:  $73.08

    Additional Services:

    • 2nd Cart Weekly: $64.67

    • Yard Waste Season: $125.00

    • Yard Waste Additional Bag: $4.00 / bag

    • Overflow Trash: $6.20 / incident

    • Cart Change: $13.78 / change with one free change / year

    • Late Set Out - Per Request: $27.55 / incident

    Note: These prices include taxes for regular trash collection services. Recycle and Yard Waste services are not taxed.

  • Yes, but the maximum price increase is capped at 3.5% per year.

  • There are no additional charges for setting up AutoPay using a checking account or similar banking account. However, if you use a credit card with AutoPay, a 2.8% processing fee will be added to your bill.

    There are also no penalties or fees if you do not use AutoPay (you are not required to establish AutoPay for paying your trash bill).

  • No. Under the terms of the agreement approved by the City Council, residents will not be charged if the lid is open due to trash pushing up the top of the trashcan. The only exception is when trash is spilling over excessively, preventing proper service.

  • The RFP issued by the City included a contract that haulers were asked to agree to. That contract includes a provision for liquidated damages to guarantee reliable service for residents. With this provision, the hauler agrees to financial penalties if they fail to meet the service expectations outlined in their contract. This is an important safeguard for the city and residents because it provides leverage that holds the hauler accountable and promotes better service for the community.

    The garbage hauler selected by the city, Lakeshore Recycling Systems of Minnesota, agreed to included liquidated damages in their contract, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining high standards of service. This level of accountability will help the city ensure that trash collection runs smoothly and residents receive the quality service they expect.

  • The contract is for seven years in accordance with Minnesota State Law 115.94 Subd. 4d: “The initial organized collection agreement executed under this subdivision must be for seven years.”

    This gives haulers adequate time to recoup their initial investment in toters/bins and garbage trucks. 

  • Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) is a waste disposal company, including trash and recyclable materials. The company operates 99 facilities and help manage waste for over 130 cities across the Midwest.

    LRS of Minnesota, which is part of LRS, will be handling the waste collection for Mounds View. They have a facility in Northeast Minneapolis at 27th Avenue and University.

    More details about LRS and its goals:

    • Customer-Centric Approach: LRS prides itself on providing excellent customer service, ensuring that residents and businesses have a positive experience with their waste management services.

    • Employee-Owned Company: LRS is an employee-owned company, which means that the people working there have a personal stake in making sure they deliver the best service possible.

    • Committed to Sustainability: LRS is dedicated to protecting the environment by offering comprehensive recycling services and focusing on sustainability.

    • Innovative Services: LRS provides innovative waste solutions, including recycling and organics collection, helping communities reduce their environmental impact.

    • Community-Focused: LRS partners with many cities and towns to provide reliable and efficient waste management, making sure communities stay clean and healthy.

    • Zero Waste Mission: LRS is on a mission to achieve zero waste, which means they are working hard to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills by promoting recycling and composting.

    • Advanced Technology: LRS uses state-of-the-art technology to improve waste collection and recycling processes, making them more efficient and environmentally friendly.

    If you want to learn more, you can visit their website at LRSRecycles.com.

  • Garbage trucks are much harder on roads than regular cars. Here’s how they compare:

    • 1 Garbage Truck can be as heavy on roads as 1,000 cars.

    • Equivalent Single Axle Load (ESAL): This term is used to measure the impact of different vehicles on roads.

      • Typical Passenger Car has an ESAL factor of 0.0007 to 0.0008.

      • Garbage Trucks can have an ESAL factor as high as 1.6.

    The city has already invested $35 million in street upgrades. By reducing the number of garbage trucks on Mounds View streets, the city will work to protect this investment and lower the costs of street repairs.

    Sources: Minnesota Department of Transportation, Texas Department of Transportation and the University of California Institute of Transportation Studies.

  • There are two taxes that Mounds View residents pay for trash collections.

    1. Minnesota Taxes (MN Department of Revenue)

    There's a 9.75% statewide tax on the trash you throw away from your home, called Mixed Municipal Solid Waste (MMSW). This tax is applied to the cost of the service that picks up garbage from homes, businesses, and communities.

    2. Ramsey County Environmental Charge (CEC)

    The CEC is a percentage of the service cost and must be listed as a separate item on your bill. The rate is 28% for residential customers and 53% for non-residential customers. It applies to trash collection, disposal services, fuel surcharges, and administrative fees.  It does not apply to recyclables, compostable organics, medical waste, or certain industrial waste.

    Note: Ramsey and Washington Counties use the 28% tax to fund a waste processing facility that separates organics and recyclables from residential waste and converts the rest into fuel for electricity generation.

  • Ramsey County is in the process of adding organic collection to the regular weekly trash pickup. In a few years, Mounds View will be part of this system. Residents will get compostable bags for organic waste from Ramsey County, which are placed in the trash tote.

    At the processing facility, robots separate the bags from the rest of the trash. Meanwhile, Ramsey County also has free organic drop-off sites that anyone can use.

  • Seasonal service is offered to residents who are gone for at least three weeks out of the year. Residents must provide a full weeks’ notice to receive seasonal service.