By implementing a waste management program with reuseProducts or materials that, after serving their original function, can be used again in their present form; some are designed to be reused repeatedly, while others not specifically designed for reuse are creatively used to fill a need. and recycling components, facilities can significantly reduce waste. Recycling and "green" waste management save natural resources and energy and puts less strain on the environment.
Common items made of glass, aluminum, paper, steel, and plastics are recyclable. Certified compostable bags are available to collect organic material for compost. Some communities also offer local composting programs that collect organic materials curbside. Materials that cannot be recycled or composted should be brought to waste-to-energy combustion facilities.
Consider implementing a Resource Management ContractA solemn agreement between parties, usually written, with binding legal and moral force, usually exchanging goods or services for money or other consideration., which provides financial incentives to waste hauling companies to help their customers recycle and reduce waste. Resource Management Contracts also help save money on trash hauling costs.
Minnesota statute 115A.02 protects the state's land, air, water, and public health by improving waste management. The statue's priorities are as follows, from most to least preferable.
Waste Reduction and Reuse |
Recycling |
Composting of Yard and Food Waste |
Resource recovery/mixed municipal solid waste, |
Minnesota Waste Management Laws
|
Statute |
Requirements |
| 115A.46 and 115A.471 |
Requires all public entities to abide by the requirements of their county's approved solid waste master plan. Includes all state, regional, county and municipal units of government, as well as school districts. |
| 115A.9302 | Requires waste haulers to annually disclose the name, location, and type of processing or disposal facility where their customer's waste will be deposited. |
| 115A.151 | Requires all state agencies, local units of government, and school districts in the state to ensure that facilities have containers for at least three recyclable materials such as but not limited to paper, glass, plastic and metal. All recyclable materials collected need to be transferred to a recycler. |
| 115A.557 | Details how counties can obtain funding for reducing waste and increasing recycling through the state's SCORE program. |
Waste Hauling
An excellent way to reduce waste and increase recycling is by implementing a Resource Management Contract, which provides financial incentives to waste haulers to help facilities reduce garbage and recycle as much as possible. Resource Management Contracts may include agreements that haulers share with public entities the monies received from the sale of recycled goods in the form of a revenue share or rebate. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is helping public entities and private businesses implement Resource Management Contracts across the state.
Waste Management Program Considerations
- Recyclable materials should not be mixed with regular waste.
- Recycling bins should be well labeled and placed in convenient and noticeable locations.
- Check with your local recycling center for advice on the best way to separate recyclables for easy transfer to pick up crews. The Minnesota Resource Recovery Program offers tips on sorting by material.
- Plan the waste management of recyclable materials common to office settings (see table below).
| Material | How it's Recycled | Importance |
| Paper, newspaper, cardboard |
Shredded into small pieces, mixed with water, forming pulp that is dried. |
Paper and paperboard make up 40 % of the waste stream. |
| Glass | Sorted by color, crushed into small pieces, and melted into a liquid. |
Glass is made from soda ash, sand, and lime. If thrown away, glass never breaks down into its original ingredients. |
| Aluminum | Melted down and reshaped into new cans or other items. |
Aluminum is made from bauxite, an ore that must be mined from the earth. It doesn't decompose or break down. |
| Plastics | Shredded or melted down and then used to make new plastic products. |
Plastic is made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource, and takes many, many years to degrade. |
| Organic Materials | Composted | Helps divert waste from landfill sites and incinerators. Creates a nutrient-rich end product that can be used to replenish depleted soils. |
Sources: Environmental Protection Agency and WasteCap of Massachusetts
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is helping public entities and private businesses implement Resource Management Contracts across the state, which helps facilities revise waste hauling contracts to emphasize waste reduction and recycling.
Click here for a complete listing of recycling centers in communities throughout Minnesota.
Implementing a Resource Management Contract helps public entities save money. The contracts provide financial incentives to waste haulers to help facilities reduce garbage and recycle as much as possible. By using a Resource Management Contract, facilities receive more transparent billing for waste hauling. Increased recycling reduces solid waste disposal fees. Language in a Resource Management Contract encourages the sharing of revenues from the sale of recycled materials with waste haulers. Some contracts specify a one penny per pound rebate for old corrugated cardboard. Others include an even split for sales of old corrugated cardboard or aluminum.
Managing waste according to a county's solid waste master plan may or may not be the least expensive option in terms of yearly billed costs for disposal. State legislation, commonly referred to as SCORE, authorizes grants to counties for waste reduction, reuse, and recycling activities. Counties that regularly submit reports documenting these activities are eligible for grants to help fund waste management programs. The state offers approximately $14 million in SCORE grants annually.
Insert these goals into waste hauling contracts:
| Goal #1 | The purpose of the contract is to obtain expert management services to eliminate, reduce, re-use, and recycle waste generated at customer facilities. |
| Goal #2 | Pursue continuous improvements in resource efficiency through innovative, cost-effective measures to reduce waste generation. |
| Goal #3 | Make current trash/mixed municipal solid waste and recycling removal services as efficient as possible. |
| Goal #4 | Develop a detailed tracking, reporting, and billing/invoicing system to support customer's goal setting, performance tracking and decision-making ability. |
| Goal #5 | Collaborate with customer's staff to implement a resource management program. This includes conducting educational outreach and training as necessary to support reduced waste generation, recycling procedures and waste minimization. |
General requirements of all waste hauling contracts should also include the following specifications:
- Identify where waste is delivered for final disposal (transfer stations are not final disposal facilities).
- Provide written disclosure of where waste will be delivered as required in Minnesota Statute §115A.9302.
- Upon request, the hauler will provide documentation of final disposition of all waste, such as weight tickets.
- Identify specific materials that will be collected for recycling taking into account the requirements in state law that at least three broad types of materials be collected from public facilities for recycling.
- Report the volume of materials collected for recycling.
- Provide proof of recycling by reporting where the materials are delivered.
- Provide a certificate of destruction for recycling of confidential documents.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Source & Toxicity Reduction Unit is currently developing further specifications for a uniform Resource Management Contract. For more information, contact the Source & Toxicity Reduction Unit at 651-297-3955 or visit the Resource Management Contracting page.
Metro County Solid Waste Offices
Anoka 763/323-5730
Carver 952/361-1800
Dakota 952/891-7020
Hennepin 612/348-3777
Ramsey 651/266-1199
Scott 952/496-8475
Washington 651/430-6655
Click here for a complete listing of recycling centers in communities throughout Minnesota.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
St. Paul, MN
651/296-6300
www.pca.state.mn.us
Seeks to protect and improve Minnesota's environment. Offers multiple resources and information for waste reduction and recycling. The MPCA's Source & Toxicity Reduction Unit is currently developing further specifications for Resource Management Contracts.
Hennepin County Organics Recycling
Minneapolis, MN - click here
Provides information on organics collection.
Minnesota law discourages landfilling of waste. Reduce waste, recycle and reuseProducts or materials that, after serving their original function, can be used again in their present form; some are designed to be reused repeatedly, while others not specifically designed for reuse are creatively used to fill a need. materials. Recover energy from waste materials when possible.
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide published by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board, 4/00. The SWMCB includes members from the Minnesota metropolitan counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington, with ex-officio members from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Last Revised December 17, 2008 - 6:55pm