Welcome! Zack Hansen September 5, 2012

Elevator Speech – Why Business Recycling Waste is an environmental challenge -- and an economic opportunity; There is tremendous potential in the trash: a lot of resources are thrown away, and it costs more to toss than recycle; The State has goals for all of us to meet – meaning we need a lot more recycling; Ramsey County is creating new ways for businesses to make this happen; Community POWER is one way to take action; Thank you!

Minnesota’s Value-added Recycling in 2011 Direct jobs at manufacturers: 15,221 Total job activity: 36,981 Gross economic activity: $8.5 billion Wages: $1.96 billion ~200 MN companies use recycled material Manufacturers are looking for locally sourced material Source: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, May 2012

Waste is inefficiency… 1.2 million tons of recyclables were thrown in the trash in 2011 in Minnesota That material was worth $285 million Minnesotans spent $200 million to get dispose of it. Source: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, May 2012

The Challenge: recover more Recycling 2011 Ramsey County: 40% recycling 2015 Objective:45-48% That means 40,000 – 60,000 additional tons of recycling! Organics 2011 Ramsey County:6% 2025 Objective:6 – 12%

Where will it come from?

How we’ve learned from businesses Business Survey 2011 Business focus groups ◦Small firms ◦Large firms ◦Hmong ◦Latino Consultants working in the community

What we’ve learned Identified a variety of barriers: ◦Awareness ◦Service levels by haulers ◦Space & equipment ◦Tenant/landlord issues ◦Leadership ◦Time Businesses want to recycle more Raise awareness Explain the economics Don’t regulate it, but provide assistance Provide tools

Ramsey County’s Approach A comprehensive approach: ◦Raise awareness: inform, inform, inform ◦Provide consultation and technical assistance ◦Continue the financial incentive provided by the County Environmental Charge (CEC) ◦Partner with Washington County for an East Metro recycling and organics approach ◦Partner with other metro counties (SWMCB) on research and resources

www. LessTrash.com

Community POWER One way that we are seeking innovation in business recycling Pilot programs that we can learn from and others can replicate Opportunity for business-to-business growth and development We are eager to learn from your projects!

Thank you!