The Win-Win of Business Recycling Efforts Businesses get support from Dakota County to start food waste recycling programs.
Blue Cross in Eagan started a pilot program to compost bathroom paper towels.
With businesses generating approximately half of all waste in some Twin Cities-area counties, even targeted reduction efforts can make a big difference. The paper towel composting project is part of Blue Cross’ overall recycling and waste reduction efforts. The hope is to compost two tons of paper waste within one year.
Dakota County’s Business Recycling Incentive Program provides funding and technical assistance to eligible businesses located in the county to implement recycling program improvements, including organics (e.g., food waste, non-recyclable paper) recycling programs. As a result of the program, Dakota County, and technical assistance partner MN Waste Wise Foundation, have many powerful success stories that range from food waste recycling to reducing the amount of overall waste produced.
Keeping Food Waste and Other Biodegradables Out of Landfills
The Open Door food shelf in Eagan, Minnesota assists thousands of people each month through a variety of programs that provide fresh and nutritious food to those in need. At least 70 percent of the food available at their two locations are perishable items, like fruits and vegetables. With assistance from Dakota County and MN Waste Wise, the Open Door implemented a robust organics recycling program for the perishables that are past peak freshness and no longer suitable to be given away. They estimate that 26 thousand pounds of organics from The Open Door will be composted annually instead of going to the landfill.
The team at The Open Door worked with Dakota County’s Business Recycling Incentive Program that provides funding and technical assistance to eligible businesses.
“A lot of businesses don’t realize that their trash is taxed, whereas recycling and organics recycling are not,” says Allison Sawyer, a sustainability specialist with MN Waste Wise Foundation. “Not only that, but recycling programs are a great way to contribute to customer satisfaction and employee engagement.”
Jensen’s Food & Cocktails is another Dakota County composting success story. The popular Eagan restaurant sends more than 83 thousand pounds of discarded organics to a compost facility on an annual basis, reducing their trash volume by 75 percent.
“Creativity was key with Jensen’s because of their space limitations. They were able to accommodate an organics dumpster by downsizing their trash dumpster,” says Sawyer.
And by applying for funding through Dakota County’s Recycling Incentive Program, Jensen’s also received color-coded recycling and trash bins, a six-month supply of compostable bags and six months’ worth of organics hauling costs.
Creativity and Collaboration
In 2030, Twin Cities Metropolitan counties will be required to recycle 75 percent of waste. Currently, only about 50 percent of waste is recycled.
“With more than ten thousand businesses in Dakota County, there is a significant opportunity to reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills,” says Renee Burman, senior environmental specialist with the Environmental Resources Department for Dakota County. “Business owners want to do the right thing, and we have found that they appreciate the expert help and financial assistance to improve recycling.”
“The partnership with Dakota County gives us the opportunity to provide free environmental sustainability consulting to businesses,” says Sawyer. “By working one-on-one with a business to look at their waste streams, we can identify opportunities that are customized to their unique needs while also connecting them with funding to make improvements happen.”