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