08/31/2016 Environmental Board Minutes

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Enivornmental Board August 31, 2016 Page 2 APPROVED MINUTES 5. ACTION ITEMS A. No Action Items 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Presentation on Anoka County Organics Waste Recycling, Sue Doll Ms.Doll who has worked at Anoka County for 27 years and with the Recycling Deptartment she does programming on recycling and composting with schools, residents, events and business. The County Recycling Department also does Solid Waste Planning, policy and reporting to MN Pollution Control Agency. Provide funding for city recycling and organics programs from SCORE. There is a 17% state tax on garbage which helps to fund the recycling and organics programs. Waste in Anoka County for 2015 was as follows: • Landfilled 95+ tons • Recycled 166+ tons • Yard Waste 22+ tons • Organics 11+ tons • Household 450+ tons • Processed 103+ tons There is a state law to recycle 75% of our waste by 2030, Anoka County currently at 51% (42% recycling, 9% organics ) and hoping with increase in organics recycling we can move above the 51%.. The reasons to compost is it reduces the need for fertilizers and pesticides, use water more efficiently because compost adds great mositure retenion abilities and improves the quality of the soil. SMSC in Shakopee and SET in Empire Township are the only two Source Separated Organics (SSO) facilities sites that have their solid waste permits issued through MPCA. SSO sites are less restrictive than landfills sites and more restrictive than yard waste sites. The ways to introduce organic recycling is to have collections at special events, also having curbside collection, drop off sites and organics recycling at businesses. Education is needed to communicate what is acceptable. Also using the ASTM certified compostable bags which you can find at most stores now.