Transcript Document

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