organics recycling in the commercial sector ramsey co. community power orientation november 15, 2012...
TRANSCRIPT
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!