Blaine CityConnect Due to Higher Disposal Costs Garbage Fees to Increase
Garbage fees for residents will increase in 2016. Most of the cost increase is due to a 17% increase in disposal costs at the Elk River garbage processing facility. In 2015 the cost to dispose of garbage was $64 per ton; in 2016 the cost will be $75 per ton. Blaine still has one of the lowest cost, full service garbage and recycling fees in the area. Beginning in January, 2016 the new fee structure will be: Unlimited service - from $43.95 to $54 per quarter (96 gallon cart or multiple carts) 68 gallon cart – from $37.95 to $42 per quarter (middle size cart) 38 gallon cart – from $27.45 to $31.50 per quarter (smallest cart)
How can you SAVE money on you garbage bill? The best way to save money on you garbage bill, especially households at the unlimited level, is to recycle as much material as possible. These days most household waste is actually recyclable. In Blaine’s curbside recycling program you • Brown paper bags can recycle the following items: • Aluminum cans • Tin/steel cans • Newspapers, and all inserts • Glass bottles and jars (clear, brown, and • All magazines and catalogs green) • Phone books • Plastic containers and packaging number • Training manuals 1 through 7 • All mixed mail including envelopes (if it comes in the mail and is paper, you can • Scrap metal smaller than 30 inches in any direction, and less than 30 pounds recycle it!) • All office and school papers, file folders, Please do not recycle the following fax sheets, notebooks, etc. items: • Paperback books • Corrugated cardboard boxes cut up to fit • Plastic bags in recycling cart (or flatten and bundle 3 • Styrofoam feet by 3 feet by 1 foot thick, and place 3 • Plastic motor oil bottles feet from the recycling cart) • Boxes for freezer foods • Box board (cake, cereal, cracker, tissue, • Pizza boxes and shoe/shirt boxes) • Any type of used tissue product • Boxes for refrigerated foods If you need additional recycling carts to handle all of the recycling material, you can get them AT NO ADDITIONAL COST! That’s right; you can put out as much recycling as possible without an increase in cost. In fact, it could save you money by allowing you to use a smaller garbage cart. To request additional recycling carts, contact Walters Recycling and Refuse at 763-780-8464. To SAVE money and change your level of garbage service to a smaller container, call the City Utility Billing Department at 763-785-6141.
Walters Contact Information 2830 - 1 0 1 ST AVEN U E N E BLAI NE, MN 5 5 4 4 9 763- 780-8 4 6 4 BL AI NE@ WALT ER SR EC Y C L I N G . C OM
As of January, 2016 Walters Recycling and Refuse is the City’s new recycling and garbage hauler. The current recycling and garbage collection schedule will remain the same for now.
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January/February 2016
Inside This Issue Animal Ordinance Change.................. 3 Radon Safety Tips.............................. 3 Car Seat Clinic................................. 3 Winter-Related Tips and Guidelines... 4-5 Plowed Sidewalks and Trails.............. 5 50th Anniversary Wrap Up.................. 6 Heroes and Helpers......................... 12
Recreation Connection..... 7 Outdoor Rink Information................... 7 Princess Party................................... 8 Snow Day........................................ 8 2016 Blaine World Fest..................... 9 Spring Egg Hunt............................... 9 Super Hero Party............................... 9 Teen Art Show................................. 10 Community Outings.......................... 11
Christmas Tree Collection Schedule
As in past years, Christmas trees will be collected during the first two FULL weeks of the new year for all singlefamily homes on your regular garbage day. Please remember, you must remove ALL ornaments, wire, lights garland, wraps, etc., for the tree to be collected. Residents living in apartments and manufactured housing parks should check with your management office to find out your collection schedule.