SAINT PAUL — Today, Mayor Melvin Carter declared a state of local emergency to ensure uninterrupted citywide trash services as FCC Environmental Services prepares to assume hauling for the majority of Saint Paul residential households this week. The declaration, effective 12:01 a.m., April 1 2025, temporarily suspends zoning regulations to allow hauling operations to continue while final zoning-related matters are resolved.
"Trash service is a critical public service that impacts the basic health and wellness of every resident," said Mayor Carter. "Working together to prevent a service disruption is every city leader's most urgent job this week."
Minnesota law 115A.951 requires cities to provide solid waste collection to all residential households and businesses. An emergency declaration enables the city to meet that obligation while maintaining momentum toward full implementation of its updated collection system. By City Legislative Code, Chapter 13.06, an emergency declaration is limited to three days. An extension beyond that time would require a vote by the Saint Paul City Council at its regular meeting on Wednesday, April 2.
As part of the transition, FCC Environmental acquired the property at 560 Randolph Avenue to serve as their Saint Paul headquarters. Though city officials deemed the use of 560 Randolph Avenue compliant with I-1 zoning, a third-party appeal of the determination was approved by the City Council, halting the process and related licensing and permitting requirements. The headquarters would include a compressed natural gas station for the fuel, maintenance, and storage of 30 brand new collection trucks.
FCC Environmental is committed to their $25 million investment in Saint Paul operations and has submitted supplemental documentation to the city to address community feedback during the Statement of Clarification public process. As a result, the city will resume reviewing the site plan as a public works maintenance facility. The Zoning Committee will consider the site plan on April 10.
“Public works employees and operations are the foundation of a thriving city,” added Public Works Director Sean Kershaw. “We’re grateful to our partners across the city for working together to deliver on that promise.”
COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATIONS INFORMED FOUNDATION FOR NEW GARBAGE CONTRACT
After 18 months of community engagement with a special Garbage Advisory Committee, a report of community-informed recommendations was published in June 2022, followed by the issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) in November 2023. The RFP called for garbage, recyclables, yard waste, and bulky item collection for 90% of 1-to-4-unit households (66,280 units) in Saint Paul. The city planned to assume responsibility for the remaining 10%, and a new facility was additionally proposed and approved to focus on alley routes and other challenging properties, attract local workers, and retain high-quality talent. Currently, about 52% of the Department of Public Works’ solid waste and recycling staff are Saint Paul residents.
Following a competitive process, the city awarded FCC Environmental Services a seven-year contract, which also included direct recycling services for 1,770 residential properties with five or more units. Since November 2024, FCC Environmental has provided recycling services for more than 50,000 units across the city.
View the March 31 press conference
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