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<br /> 2 <br /> <br />I. Policy Overview <br />A. Background <br />The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners has determined that residential waste reduction <br />and recycling programs support county goals to make progress toward zero waste, reduce <br />greenhouse gas emissions, and eliminate disparities associated with waste disposal. The county <br />has adopted the goals established in State Statute and by the Minnesota Pollution Control <br />Agency (MPCA) in its Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan and developed a <br />Residential Waste Reduction and Recycling Funding Policy to help reach a 75% recycling rate by <br />2030. <br /> B. SCORE funds <br />The county receives funding from the state’s Select Committee on Recycling and the <br />Environment (SCORE) for the development and implementation of waste reduction and <br />recycling programs. SCORE funds are based on revenue received by the State of Minnesota from <br />the solid waste management tax (SWMT) on garbage services and are subject to change based <br />on the SWMT revenue received by the state and funds allocated by the legislature. <br /> C. Support for city programs <br />City recycling programs play an important role in the county’s integrated solid waste <br />management system. The county has funded city recycling programs for over 30 years and will <br />use this policy to make available all SCORE funds to cities for residential waste reduction and <br />recycling programs. SCORE funds will be dedicated to four different purposes: 1) general <br />funding for waste reduction and recycling programs, 2) curbside organics recycling programs, 3) <br />organics drop-off sites, and 4) multifamily waste reduction and recycling. Funds distributed to <br />cities for a calendar year will be based on SCORE funds received by the county in the state’s <br />corresponding fiscal year. <br /> D. Term of the policy <br />Hennepin County is committed to implementing this policy from January 1, 2026, through <br />December 31, 2028. The county may revise this policy to align with strategic priorities developed <br />in the zero-waste plan or solid waste management plan. In addition, the county may revise this <br />policy, if it determines changes are needed to assure compliance with state law and MPCA goals <br />established for metropolitan counties. If SCORE funds are eliminated from the state budget or <br />significantly reduced, the county will consult with cities at that time and develop a <br />recommendation to the board on future funding for residential waste reduction and recycling <br />programs.