11-02-2015 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minnesota Pollution Control Agency www.pca.state.rnn.us Commercial recycling requirement Frequently asked questions 1. What is the purpose of this requirement? Approximately 75% of the things Minnesotans throw in the trash could be recycled: • 34% is paper, plastic, metal, and glass • 18% is food waste that could be donated to people, fed to animals, or composted • 23% is compostable paper, yard waste, and other organic materials that could be composted The commercial recycling requirement is an opportunity for businesses to decrease their waste, reduce their tax liability by increasing recycling, and support Minnesota's recycling industry which creates approximately 37,000 direct and indirect jobs in the state. Increased commercial recycling, including organics diversion, is an essential component of meeting state recycling goals.1 2. Who is responsible for compliance with the requirement? The law states that the "owner of a commercial building shall ensure that facilities under its control" are collecting at least three materials for recycling. Recycling is required when: • at least one occupant of the building falls under North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes 42 through 81, and • the total trash generated by the building is four cubic yards or more per week Even if tenants contract for their own trash hauling services, the building owner is responsible for ensuring compliance with the recycling law. It may be prudent to require compliance through the terms of the lease. 3. Is each business in a multi -tenant building required to have recycling? The legislative intent of the law is to maximize recycling. This can be accomplished in commercial buildings in a number of ways, depending on space considerations and the nature of the recyclable materials generated. For example, some buildings may have recycling collection at each business, while others may opt for centralized collection in trash rooms or a dock space. Recognizing that tenants may produce significantly different recyclable materials, the opportunities provided by a building owner should be flexible enough to accommodate the needs of all tenants. Tenants are encouraged to work with their building owner to establish effective recycling opportunities, and to seek external recycling options for unique materials requiring specialized collection, such as textiles. 4. Are buildings required to provide recycling collection directly to customers (i.e. in space accessible to customers such as lobbies, walkways, restrooms, etc.)? Businesses that provide a trash disposal opportunity for their customers should also provide a recycling opportunity for the recyclable materials generated onsite (e.g. plastic recycling for soda bottles at a food court). Recycling programs are most successful and maximize the amount of material recycled when trash and recycling collection containers are co -located and have clear signage. 1 Goals set through the Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan, County Master Plans, and state law calling for a metro recycling goal of 75% by 2030. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 651-296-6300 1 800-657-3864 1 TTY 651-282-5332 or 800-657-3864 March 2015 1 w-sw10-02 Available in alternative formats