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

Organics Recycling in the Commercial Sector

Ramsey Co. Community POWER Orientation

November 15, 2012

John Jaimez

Hennepin County Environmental Services

www.hennepin.us/organics

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 Use Accepted 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