CR 94-54 Community Education Program Lawn Care
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. March 15, 1994 ~ Council Report: 94-54
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AUTHORIZING IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMMUNITY EDUCATION
PROGRAM ON LAWN CARE AND YARD WASTE MANAGEMENT
Proposed Action.
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: "Authorize staff
to implement a Community Environmental Solutions Proqram to educate
Hopkins residents on Lawn Care and Yard Waste Manaqement durinq April
of 1994 at the Premium Level offered by Toro CompanY at a cost
estimated between $6.000 - $9.000."
Overview.
In an effort to educate the citizens of Hopkins on how to reduce their
need to bag grass and leaves staff has been reviewing a program
offered by Taro Company. This program works ln cooperation with our
local Toro distributor; Hance Hardware, to educate residents by
offering an educational seminar, and the use of Toro Recycler mowers.
Staff has opted for the Premium Participation Level, as described
.. herein, in an effort to offer this program to as many residents as
.. possible.
Primary Issues to Consider
o How will this program benefit the City of Hopkins and it's
residents?
o What are the total costs involved for the city of Hopkins and how
will this program be funded?
o What is the schedule for implementation?
o What potential future programs could result from this program?
o What incentives would be offered for residents to attend the
seminar?
Su~portinq Information
o Detailed Background
o Analysis of Issues
o 1994 Taro Community Environmental Solutions Program Outline
o Hutchison Program sign up form and results
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Recycling coordinator
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council Report: 94-54
page 2
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Detailed Backqround
Gary Plotz, Administrator for the City of Hutchison spoke at a recent
conference that staff attended. He spoke about the yard waste
education seminar the City of Hutchison hosted as an attempt to more
effectively manage the yard waste in his city. He was very pleased
with the results.
Later ln the year, Mark Smiler from Toro, and Darrell Cole from the
local Hance Hardware store met with staff to discuss possible
implementation of a similar program in Hopkins. Since the city of
Hopkins collects and manages the yard waste for it's residents this
education program seemed a viable tool to help us reduce the amount of
yard waste we must collect each year.
Attached to the back of this report is information prepared by Toro
Co. explaining the program specifics.
Analvsis of Issues
0 How will this program benefit the City of Hopkins and it's
residents?
e This program would be of benefit to Hopkins residents by
providing an educational tool for them to understand the benefits
of composting and mulching lawn mowers. The program would be
limited to the first 200 residents that return a registration
form. Three lucky winners will benefit from the free door
prizes. Up to 75 residents, chosen through a random drawing at
the seminar, would have the use of a mower for a 30-45 day period
during the lawn care season. Although Toro would be involved, it
is our intention to have a lawn care professional there as well.
This will allow residents access to a professional lawn care
specialist and keep residents from thinking that the program is
just a sales pitch for Toro.
Long term benefits would be thicker healthier lawns, a reduction
in the city's yard waste collection costs which are passed on to
residents, and the opportunity to get a reduced rate on purchase
of a Recycler mower.
0 What are the total costs involved for the city of Hopkins?
The initial costs involved for the program level desired would be
$1,000. This cost would include three give-a-way prizes; a Yard
Cycler compost bin, Leaf blower, and Recycler mower. It would
also cover the items listed under Premium on the attached
outline. After completion of the program the city would be
responsible for purchase of the mowers used during the
. demonstration period. In discussions with Mark Smiler and
Darrell Cole the city can handle this ln a couple ways. 1) We
could purchase the mowers outright and either use them by city
staff or raffle them off to seminar participants. 2) Darrell
Cole has offered to keep the mowers and offer them for sale
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council Report: 94-54
Page 3
. through his store and any not sold the city would have to pay
for. It is possible that if the program is successful, as in the
case of the city of Hutchison, almost all of the residents that
used the mowers will purchase them at the end of the season at a
reduced cost.
In addition to the items provided through the Taro program, it is
staffs desire to offer each resident a rebate of $25 towards
purchase of a recycler mower. Not only would this encourage
attendance at the seminar, it would also encourage residents to
purchase these items that could potentially reduce our yard waste
management costs.
In conclusion the cost break down would potentially be as follows
Initial Premium level program costs 1,000
Staff overtime 200
Lawn Care professional 200
Mower Purchase 6,975
Mower Rebate (1 per HH $25 - 200 HH) 5.000
SUB-TOTAL 13,375
Mower Sales - 6,975
Incentives (1 per HH $16.70 X 200) 3.340
TOTAL 9,740
. 0 What incentives would be offered for residents to attend the
seminar?
Along with the incentives of the chance at using a Taro mulching
mower, a chance at winning a door prize, and simply a free yard
waste education opportunity, Staff is proposing to offer a free
month of refuse service as incentive to attend the seminar.
o What is the schedule for implementation?
February 14 Meetings with Toro & Hance representatives
March 15 Council Approval
March 16 Mail brochures/place ads
April 9 Community Education Seminar
April 15 - Sept 1 Mower use periods
o How will this program be funded?
This program could be funded by the fund balance of the Refuse
utility Fund. The Refuse utility Fund should easily be able to
cover the entire cost of the program even if the city ends up
purchasing some of the mulching mowers.
o What potential future programs could result from this program?
. If successful, Hopkins would look at offering this educational
program in future years if available. By offering it each year
we would be able to educate more residents and reach residents
new to our city.
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1 Introduction: Environmental Problem
This guide deals with Solutions -- solutions to the landfill crisis, solutions to a
beautiful, natural lawn, solutions to how best to educate our neighbors about
the benefits of not sending their yard waste, such as grass clippings and leaves,
to the landfill.
Our nation's landfills are filling up rapidly. How quickly? If the nation as a
whole does not begin reducing its waste that it sends to the landfills, the
majority of our current landfills will overflow before the end of the century.
There are a great variety of materials placed in landfills. Some recyclable~
some not. However, during the summer months, an estimated 40% of all waste
sent to our landfills is yard waste! That's 40% more room we can make in our
landfills by not bagging yard debris, mainly grass clippings.
. Not only is this yard debris taking up valuable landfill space, but it also costs
local governments thousands of dollars for the pick up and transportation of the
clippings and yard debris to these landfills.
Community Environmental Solutions:
Turf grass management has evolved with the golf course. The golf course has
always represented the "state of the art." Most of us admire the rich, green
fairways and, perhaps, wish our lawns could look the same. The basic turf
grass management principles that were used to develop the great golf courses
across the nation are exactly the same as those that should apply to the
management of the home lawn. None of the text books or any of the research
papers ever written about turf grass maintenance suggest that the bagging of
grass clippings is a necessary part of lawn care. The return of grass clippings
to the lawn and eventually to the soil has always been considered to be a
naturally accepted part of maintaining a lawn by the true turf grass experts.
Grass clippings are a valuable resource. They usually contain over 4%
, nitrogen, about 2% potassium and around 0.5% phosphorous, as well as lesser
amounts. of the other essential plant nutrients. Made up of 80% water, these
clippings are rapidly attacked by bacteria and fungi which cause their fast
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( decomposition. They do not contribute to thatch. Thatch results from the .
abnormally fast growth of tissues high in lignin such as roots, rhizomes,
stolons and crowns. While the thatch issue has always been associated with the
return of clippings to the lawn, clippings and thatch are simply not correlated.
It's to the advantage of every community to reduce the demands on its solid
waste facilities and to extend the life of its landfills as long as possible. In the
case of grass clippings, the homeowner must be shown how to manage a lawn
without using the bagging attachment.
Toro Lawn Care Pro2ram Mission
The Taro Company aspires to partner with local city and county governments
across the country to educate homeowners regarding the entire yard waste
recycling effort: mulching, compo sting and fertilizing.
Our goal is to eliminate all organic yard waste sent to public and private
landfills.
The environmentally safe reduction of green waste is now and will continue to e
be a major responsibility that befalls us all, as members of the environmental
community. Toro will meet this challenge with products that offer solutions to
our environmental dilemmas.
Toro Company Positionin2
Toro's mission is to beautify and enrich the outdoor environment-make the
landscape green, healthy and safe-with superior quality, innovative and
environmentally sound products, services and systems. We believe to
consumers the environment is as much about the grass under foot and the trees
outside the front door as it is about acid rain and global wanning. To Taro the
environment is about healthy grass, clean water and fresh air.
The Toro Lawn Care Program Guide involves media, educational brochures,
demonstration lawns, people and participatory activities.
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2 Program Planning Guide
A. An Overview
The Toro Lawn Care (TLC) Program was developed first
and foremost to reduce the amount of grass clippings sent to landfills,
while still maintaining a beautiful lawn.
To do this, homeowners must be educated about the benefits of
leaving recycled grass clippings on their lawns. Not only do recycled
grass clippings act as a fertilizer, but it also saves time; up to 38%.
That's the reason for the To;'o Lawn Care Guide: to assist in the
development of a program that educates people about the landfill
situation and about alternatives to sending their clippings to the
landfill.
How is this done? In a nutshell, the Taro Company offers its
Recycler@ mowers to communities at a substantially reduced cost. In
. return, the community, using this guide as an outline, educates its
citizens about the attributes of not bagging their grass clippings
through the use of demonstration lawns.
As a bonus~ participants will receive a rebate certificate that can
be used to purchase additional Toro products to assist in their organic
recycling efforts.
The three different community participation levels are outlined
on the following page.
As you will read in the following "Steps" section, the
community chooses participating homeowners to demonstrate the
recycling process to the neighborhood. A small sign signifying each
TLC demonstration lawn will be placed in the yard to encourage
discu'~~sions.
During the program, the community will publicize the program
to attract more attention to the organic recycling process.
Questionnaires will be sent out so that the community can monitor the
education process.
. At the end of the program, participants will have the choice of
either purchasing the mower, or simply returning it to the community.
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I Along the way, feel free to call one of the Taro representatives or .
\ other community participants for advice. Their phone numbers are
listed in this guide.
Together with communities that have already successfully
participated in the TLC program, we feel we have put together a solid
solution to addressing yard waste. Of course, if you have any
suggestions along the way, please call us. We're always looking for
ways to reduce waste and improve our nation's recycling efforts.
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. 2 Program Planning Guide
c. Steps
The following steps to the Taro Lawn Care Program will guide both the
distributor and the local government participants, to maximize the program's
effectiveness and exposu.re.
Contents:
1. Planning
A. Program Options
B. Mower Purchase Options
C. Planning Meeting
D. Publicity Planning
2. Participant Recruitment
. 3. Selection
4. Notification
5. Community Kick-Off
6. Distribution of Products & Rebate Coupons
7. Follow-up analysis
8. Program Review
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1. PLANNING
Before signing up your first participant, take time to make a plan unique
to your community. Prepare the plan thoroughly to eliminate any unpleasant
surprises. Also, a few key decisions will have to be made as well.
A. Program Options
After reviewing the program options listed in the table provided in section 2A
decide on the appropriate level for your communitis involvement. There are
three participation levels:
. Basic Level
. Enhanced Level
. Premium Level
B. Mower Purchase Options
The Recyler mower can be made available to participants in the following
ways:
. The community purchases the Recyclers from the regional Taro .
distributor at a price of $ 279.00 per mower before the program begins.
. Participants purchase from the local Toro dealer at a cost of $299.00 per
mower at the end of the program. The community agrees to purchase
unsold mowers at the same cost.
. The local Toro dealer works with the community to sell the mowers not
purchased by participants at the dealer's store.
C. Planning Meeting
Approximately three weeks before participant recruitment, a TLC planning
meeting should be held to organize the upcoming steps. By meeting with all
involved parties, a realistic timeline can be developed. Invited parties should
include the Taro representative and the community TLC director/coordinator.
Also, involve as many outside parties from the community as possible. They
will alert you to potential pitfalls and assure a smooth running program with
few surprises.
D. Publicity Planning .
i Once dates are set for upcoming steps, take time out to think about publicity
planning. After all, the program's goal is to educate as many community
. members as possible. Alert the media about the formation of the program.
\ They can in turn get the word out that you are looking for participants.
2. PARTICIPANT SELECTION
Selecting the designated number of people needed can be accomplished in a
few different ways. They follow:
1. Run an ad in your local newspaper describing the program and asking for
volunteers. Include a coupon that can be filled out with name, address and
phone number to be returned via mail.
2. Organize an informational meeting. Invite all interested parties and choose
volunteers according to their address and other qualifications.
3. Have local Taro dealer(s) advertise program, within the store and fill out a
form. All applicants could then be drawn from a barrel and winners notified
. 4. Have interested participants call city hall. Each inquiry then becomes
eligible.
3. PARTICIPANT COMMITMENT
In order for the program to achieve its goals, all participants must satisfy the
certain requirements. Each participant can be selected by means of a drawing
from interested parties who have expressed interest in the program. Try to
select homes which geographically cover the city/county as thoroughly as
possible. These requirements are as follows:
~ The participant must own or rent residential property with a lawn having
frontage on a public street.
~ The participant must guarantee to use the mower for 100% of the yard's
mowing activities.
~ Prior to receiving the Taro Recycler II mower, the participant must attend
an organizational meeting.
c::> The participant must follow the mowing techniques outlined by Taro. This
. includes safety regulations, mowing frequency, etc. Should questions arise
about the equipment during the program, the participant should contact the
\. participating Taro dealer.
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( c:;. The participant must place the provided sign on the yard in a visible .
location.
~. The participant must maintain the yard's appearance.
~. The participant must be willing to discuss the program with inquiring
people such as neighbors.
c:> The participant must allow the property to be publicized and photographed.
~. A representative will arrange with each participant specific information
regarding the delivery and pick up of the mowers.
4. ALERT THE MEDIA AND LOCAL OFFICIALS
With the press releases located in the back of this guide, alert the media, and
thus the public, to your kick-off meeting. Also, invite as many local officials
as possible. This will further entice media to cover the event.
Not only will the participants receive their mower (or mower pick-up
certificate) at this time, but all other community members should be invited to
learn more about recycling yard debris, as well as our landfill problem. Hand .
out the literature provided with the TLC program. Literature examples are
located in Section 5. Remember, the goal of the program is to reduce yard
debris sent to the landfill, whether by participants or non-participants.
Not only will the media be excited about the educational program, but the
Kick-Off makes a wonderful visual for photographs, especially if local officials
are there. Additionally, the appropriate Toro products (Recycler mower,
SuperB lower 850 shredder/vac and/or YardCyclerm compost bin) should be
gIVen away.
5. COMMUNITY KICK-OFF
All selected and non-selected participants along with any other interested
parties are invited to a community kick-off function at a predetennined time
and place. At this meeting the free Taro products (YardCycler compost bin,
SuperBlower 850 blower/shredder/vae and Recycler II mower) can be given
away via a drawing or other means. The purpose of this meeting is to instruct
all participants about Recycler II operation and safety, performed by the local e
I Toro representative.
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, Other suggested activities at this time could be a composting training class or
community update on regulations that affect yard waste disposal. Involving a
member of a local waste hauling finn could be beneficial to further to explain
their side of the landfill dilemma.
Make sure the city/county is represented by as many local public officials as
possible; i.e. the mayor, county commissioners, public works officials and
other personnel who will be key representatives or overseers of the program. It
is important that the program participants know and are comfortable with the
program leaders.
The local Taro representative should be present to answer any questions
regarding equipment.
A slide presentation is provided in the back of this guide to assist you during
this presentation.
. 6. DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCTS
If you choose not to distribute the mowers at the Kick-Off, notify the
participants of a time, date and location for the transfer of the mowers to those
participants. As with the Kick-Off, a local Taro dealer must give complete I
instructions on the correct and safe operation of each Recycler II mower.
At this time, distribute the enclosed Toro Rebate Coupons (Section 7). Each
participant should receive only one coupon. These coupons are good for
dollars-off many Taro products.
The community should keep record of each mower which is assigned to an
individual participant. Document the mower serial number along with the
name, address and phone number of each participant. This will insure accurate
record keeping and make the purchase or return of the mowers at the end of the
program go smoothly.
Whether you have the Kick-Off meeting or not, again, invite the media. Same
educational story, and a great visual, having the participants pick-up their shiny
. new Recycler II.
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If at all possible this could be an ideal time to have each participant test the .
( mower he or she has received so some sort of familiarity can take place prior to
taking the mower home.
7. ANALYSIS
The questionnaire located in Section 3 should be sent out about mid-way
through the program. This will give you a good idea of how the program is
progreSSIng.
The self-addressed, postage paid questionnaire will be returned to The Taro
Company. We will compile the survey's results and get them to you within 2-3
weeks. Additionally, upon request, we will gladly give you copies of the
original forms.
8. PROGRAM REVIEW
At the end of the program, the participants have two options: 1 )purchase the .
Recycler II mower from the community or selected dealership (depending on
option chosen); 2) return the Recycler to a designated community site.
The purchase should be completed before the designated return date.
This is a good time to review your program's objectives and determine if you
met them.
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~ ",~;;i:..~"t;;r -~~1~h;:.':'::}!":~~?"Ji;-it1': . ::J.t",
BACKYARD COMPOSTIH.G ~~~:::~-'~':SJ2~~~2:~:
. AHD GRASSCYCLI "G~~~;,i;';":" ".<-~c<~~>t
.o,<;,_)~:.~t:f~\:';.:' .' :':.>;?~; ~I
For City of Hutchinson Residc2n~' "..; -'.'-I~ ...;:
RECEIVE A $60.00 VALLIE RHD SAVE .~~~.
$$ 0" YOO;t GARBAGE BILL!! "-""",.
Composting is the natural breakdown. by micro organisms. of kitchen and yard waste,
returning important nutrients back into the ground. Convert those leaves and grass clippings
to an abundant supply of garden-valuable humus.
GrasscyC]ing is J management approach ro I~aving grass
clippings on your lor and in your compost thus providing the :&
equivalent to one free fertilizer applicarion per year.
The two-hour course provides full instrucrion in composting ,j,/
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and grasscycling: plus a free compost bin of 555.00 value,
along with a 55.00 certificare coward the purchase of a "lawn
mukhing blade" trom participating Hutchinson merchants.
Since this is J. pilot project. the funding source limits free
compost bins to Hurchinson residents oniy: {Jne bin and 55.00
certificare per household. orher members n{ the household are
encouraged ro ilttend. including: school age children. Course
. registration limited ro 20D pilrIicipants. F~:: S I.OO/family.
As an additional incentive to rake rhe course. Jnu your conrinuous participation in
composting/grasscycling, the City Council \vill reduce your garbage bill $ LOO per month:
household save $12.00 per YCJI.
ThcrsdGY.. M<:ITth 18
High School CQf~t12ria
1:00-9:00 pJmS
~ Sponsored by: City of Hutchinson ami Community EJuc:::nion
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REGISTRATION FORlVI
Pre-registration and Pre-payment Required For All Classes
NO PHONE REGISTRATION
Name:
Address:
Home Phone: Work Phone:
CLASS TITLE FEE MA TERIALS (I
Bad.-yard Cumposling & Grasscycfing 51.DO -o-
See 1993 WillleilSpriIJg CommlllJi0' Educa/ioll Brne/lUre/or uther
. , course oJft'rillgs
TOT.-\L
Check payable to HU(l;hinson Public Schl10b is enc:losed for $
Mail [0: Community EJul;:llion. L200 Roberts Road. Hutchinson. MN 55350
Preregistrants will be nmiticu of CANCELLED CLASSES. No confinnation will be sent if a class
is to be conducted!
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RESULTS AND FEEDBACK
CLASS APRIL 22, 1993
(EARTH DAY)
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TO: Mayor and Council, DATE: April 26, 1993
Employees, Volunteers
Mr. Jim McNelly, -Mr. Compost~
Panicipating Merchants and Media
FROM: Gary Plotz, Ciry Administrator
SUBJECT: RESUL IS FROM 2ND HUTCHINSON COMPOST COURSE
APRIL 22, 1993
Two hundred and ninety nine (299) families gathered at the High School auditorium and gymnasium on Eant
Day (April 22) to learn about composting/grasscyc1ing. I would like to personally thank all those' who assisted
me in making this course go smoothly.
The results are rather interesting:
Taro N urri-
TYPE OF BIN SELECTED Soilsaver YardcycIer Earrhm;lc:hine Cube Bio-S [aci;: Total Percentage
Percent of panicipanLS 36% 31% 23% 6% 4% 100%.
Number of participants 107 92 70 18 12 299
MULCHING U WN MOWER (One month "free" mower use.age - TORO) Promotion Program
YES 84 79 60 9 9 241 81 %
NO 23 13 10 9 3 S8 19%
MULCHING COMMITMENT (Retrofitting their lawnmower, decision before selecting type of bin)
YES 102 77 63 11 12 265 89%
NO 3 6 4 S 0 18 6%
NO OPINION 2 9 3 2 0 16 5%
KITCHEN WASTE COMMITME.7\fT (Decision before selecting type of bin)
YES 100 7I 65 11 9 256 85%
NO 6 12 3 S 3 29 10%
NO OPINION 1 9 2 2 0 14 5%
Additionally, the local Catholic Church/School and the Hutchinson High School science departmem had
representation that took the course, and they will be composting on their own sites, respectively. ....
;c: Ed Homan, Mcleod County Zoning Administrator
Paul Melchior, Mcleod County Environmentalist .
City Hall Parks & Recreation Police Department
37lVnsfu'ngtoll Avenue tVest 900 Harn"llgtoll Street 10 Franklin Street South
(612) 587-5151 (612) 587.2975 (612) 587.2242
Hu tclzillSOIl, M illllCsota 55350
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