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County updates recycling approach: year‑round Somerset drop-off, hazardous‑waste voucher and debate over tire subsidies
Summary
Staff outlined 2025 recycling innovations — free electronics and appliance events, a hazardous‑waste voucher program in Somerset accepting lithium‑ion items, and an unexpectedly large tire collection turnout that doubled budgeted costs; supervisors discussed continuing tire subsidies, repeat upholstery disposal pilots and expanded outreach for lithium and hazardous recycling.
St. Croix County recycling staff told the Community Development Committee on Nov. 20 that program changes in 2025 produced both higher participation and unexpected costs, and proposed adjustments for 2026 including expanded year‑round drop‑off options.
Staff said the county’s recycling program is primarily funded by a DNR recycling grant (about $195,000–$200,000 annually) and a DATCP grant that supports hazardous‑waste collection with required county match. In 2025 the county piloted new approaches: partnerships that allowed two free electronics collection events, free appliance/scrap-metal collections supported by local vendors, and a hazardous‑waste voucher program hosted year‑round in Somerset through Logistics Recycling that accepts lithium‑ion battery‑embedded products. Staff said that program costs are now better targeted to hazardous‑waste disposal rather than event mobilization costs.
The county also ran a free tire collection experiment: turnout far exceeded expectations and tire‑handling costs rose to roughly $35,000, double initial budgets. Staff asked the committee whether to continue subsidized tire disposal (the county has subsidized the Town of Richmond drop‑off at roughly 40 percent), to switch to alternate‑year collections, or to introduce modest fees.
Committee members generally supported continuing tire disposal to reduce ditch dumping and suggested continuing the Richmond year‑round site subsidy, possibly with a modest municipal cost‑share. The committee also encouraged repeating the upholstered‑furniture disposal pilot (a $10 per item pilot that collected 83 units) and increasing outreach to raise awareness of lithium‑battery and year‑round hazardous‑waste options, particularly around spring cleaning and Earth Month.
Staff proposed that Redemption Recycling (a partner of Logistics Recycling) could host a one‑stop, year‑round Somerset center accepting electronics, appliances, scrap metal and hazardous waste by appointment where required. That model, staff said, would reduce mobilization cost and provide a consistent year‑round option for residents.
The committee asked staff to return with refined budget options and outreach plans for 2026.
