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TRASH CONTAINERS AT PUBLIC ACCESSES, 11/4/92, P. 2 <br />FINDINGS. <br />1. The MN DNR operates on a policy of having no tra:jh <br />containers at its public accesses throughout the state. <br />It has determined from its experience that trash <br />container servicing, with the attraction of household <br />waste, became too costly to continue. The DNR experience <br />of no trash containers over the past five years now shows <br />that people do leave a public access taking their trash <br />with them. Litter and trash problems are minimal, the <br />accesses being monitored by DNR conservation officers. <br />2. Recycling has been suggested to accompany trash <br />containers at public accesses. Experience finds many <br />recyclable materials still ending up in the trash <br />container. Scavengers are also known to empty recycle <br />containers, diminishing the value of recycle collection <br />which is dependent on salvage to help defray the cost. <br />3. Trash containers of the larger 2 cu.yd. size are <br />attracting household waste. Large plastic bags loads, <br />furniture, auto tires, batteries and the like have been <br />observed by LMCD staff in and outside of access trash <br />containers. Significant amounts of trash are therefore <br />not coming from boaters and lake users. Litter around <br />accesses has also been noted, ranging from cans to paper. <br />RECOMMENDATIONS. <br />1. <br />2. <br />3. <br />4. <br />5. <br />Survey cities and Hennepin County inviting information on <br />their annual trash hauling costs from public accesses. <br />Invite response from cities and Hennepin County on how <br />they might view a one year trial period during whicli no <br />trash containers would be placed at public accesses. <br />In the event a trial period were acceptable to cities and <br />Hennepin County, arrange for access signage tu* enlist <br />cooperation of lake users taking trash with the'ii. <br />Cities/county would monitor public cooperation on nt <br />least a weekly basis to assure trash accumulations do not <br />occur and litter is removed. <br />Hennepin Parks is recognized as having a unique <br />arrangement, its public lake accesses contaiii'^d wi. tliln a <br />fully supervised park area. As a result it mny prefer to <br />stay with its standard waste disposal system. <br />Review the trial period results at tl>e close of th'-- <br />boating season for a determination on the prospect of <br />continuing tlie no-container program, or to re instate <br />trash containers.