Welcome!
Zack Hansen
September 5, 2012
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Waste is an environmental challenge -- and an
economic opportunity;
There is tremendous potential in the trash: a lot
of resources are thrown away, and it costs more
to toss than recycle;
The State has goals for all of us to meet –
meaning we need a lot more recycling;
Ramsey County is creating new ways for
businesses to make this happen;
Community POWER is one way to take action;
Thank you!
Elevator Speech – Why Business
Recycling
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Direct jobs at manufacturers: 15,221
Total job activity: 36,981
Gross economic activity: $8.5 billion
Wages: $1.96 billion
~200 MN companies use recycled material
Manufacturers are looking for locally
sourced material
Source: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, May 2012
Minnesota’s Value-added
Recycling in 2011
 1.2
million tons of recyclables
were thrown in the trash in 2011
in Minnesota
 That material was worth $285
million
 Minnesotans spent $200 million to
get dispose of it.
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Source: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, May 2012
Waste is inefficiency…
Recycling
2011 Ramsey County:
2015 Objective:
40% recycling
45-48%
That means 40,000 – 60,000 additional tons of recycling!
Organics
2011 Ramsey County:
2025 Objective:
6%
6 – 12%
The Challenge: recover more
Organics
22%
Mixed MSW
11%
Electronics
1%
Mixed
Recyclables
15%
Lumber
3%
Metal
10%
Glass
3%
Plastic
10%
Paper
25%
Where will it come from?
Business Survey 2011
 Business focus groups
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Small firms
Large firms
Hmong
Latino
Consultants working in the community
How we’ve learned from
businesses
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Identified a variety of barriers:
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Businesses want to recycle more
Raise awareness
Explain the economics
Don’t regulate it, but provide assistance
Provide tools
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Awareness
Service levels by haulers
Space & equipment
Tenant/landlord issues
Leadership
Time
What we’ve learned
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A comprehensive approach:
◦ Raise awareness: inform, inform, inform
◦ Provide consultation and technical assistance
◦ Continue the financial incentive provided by the
County Environmental Charge (CEC)
◦ Partner with Washington County for an East
Metro recycling and organics approach
◦ Partner with other metro counties (SWMCB) on
research and resources
Ramsey County’s Approach
www. LessTrash.com
One way that we are seeking innovation
in business recycling
 Pilot programs that we can learn from and
others can replicate
 Opportunity for business-to-business
growth and development
 We are eager to learn from your projects!
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Community POWER
Thank you!