Organics Recycling in the Commercial Sector Ramsey Co. Community POWER Orientation November 15, 2012 John Jaimez Hennepin County Environmental Services

What Does “Organics” Mean? Organics = the biodegradable portion of trash that can be reused and recycled –All food scraps –Soiled, non-recyclable papers

Do Businesses Have A Role? 1.35M tons of MSW generated in 2011 – 780,000 tons disposed About half of this waste comes from businesses – 390,000 tons 25% is organics – 97,500 tons For food-related businesses, more than 25% of their wastes is recyclable organics

Why Should Generators Bother? Avoided state tax and county fee  31.5% - commercial Reduced level of trash service Environmental benefits

Multiple Benefits Avoids need to add processing capacity and extends useful life of landfills Improves incinerator operation Improves landfill operations

Organics Management Options End UseAccepted Organics Local Providers Food To People (food rescue) - Perishable food- Second Harvest - All Seasons Food Rescue Food To Animals (livestock farms) - Food scraps (may not accept meat, coffee, citrus) - Second Harvest Farms - Barthold Farms Food To Animals (livestock feed mfg) - Food scraps (no meat products) - Endres Processing - ReConserve Composting- All food scraps - Non recyclable paper - RRT - SMSC - City of Hutchinson Rendering-meat, fat, & bone -grease - Sanimax

Focus Group Participants –Category 1 Retail Grocers Wholesale food distributors –Category 2 Restaurants Hotels Banquet & event centers Large catering firms 4 focus groups were conducted 2 with reps from Category 1 2 with reps from Category 2

Key Areas for Feedback Current waste management practices Familiarity with available organics management options Benefits and barriers associated with reuse & recycling of organics Information needs and incentives Reaction to draft outreach materials

Key Findings – Benefits & Barriers Benefits & Barriers Concerns raised about costs, staff implications, and space constraints Environmental benefit is assumed and resonated with participants Organics collection should be at least a break even proposition – then, the environmental benefit would tip the scales in favor of it

Key Findings – Info & Incentives Information Needs & Incentives Hennepin County should do the following: –Provide technical assistance, esp. help with set up for separation –Provide educational/promotional materials for staff –Actively work with haulers to expand available options for organics collection services –Provide low/no cost containers Participants unaware of organics composting –Interested in how they can access this option –Need to know what materials are accepted

Key Findings – Info & Incentives Information Needs & Incentives Want to know what happens to their organics –Need assurance it’s being properly managed –Need to know added efforts are not being wasted View haulers as their waste consultants –Existing hauler is primary gatekeeper to new services –Businesses likely to assume their haulers are on board with these programs and can provide the service –Businesses not excited about finding new hauler just for organics –Providing incentives to the haulers might be the most effective way to grow organics diversion

Critical Start Up Tasks –Involvement of key staff, advanced notice for others Mgrs & supervisors Head chef –Choose collection areas –Decide how to collect/monitor Bags or no bags? Inside & outside containers? –Secure a hauler Review existing contract –Signs & Labels Front & back of house Be creative!

MSP Airport

Closing the Loop