2009 Annual Results Report

Presented to SWMCB May 26, 2010

Staff Contributors

Regional Policy Development Staff• Brad Fields, Anoka County• Mike Lein, Carver County• Jeff Harthun, Dakota County• Carl Michaud, Hennepin

County• Angie Timmons, Hennepin

County• Zack Hansen, Ramsey

County• Judy Hunter, Washington

County• Paul Smith, MPCA 

Technical and Program Staff

Key Findings

3.1 million tons of MSW were managed, a decrease of nearly 5%

since 2008.

Per capita waste generation decreased to 1.09 tons per person, a

decrease of 8% since 2008. The decrease is likely a result of the

economic climate. 

44% of the waste was recycled or managed through organics management

programs (52% with source reduction and yard waste credits); thus meeting the Master Plan Outcome of recycling

50% of the MSW.  

Participation at HHW facilities continued to increase, with the region serving

211,000 vehicles. 50% of the materials (by weight) came from electronics.

 

 

MSW delivered for processing dropped 90,000 tons since 2008 to 974,000 tons. The region did not meet the Master Plan

goal of processing 65% of the MSW available for processing.

 

 

The region landfilled 705,000 tons of MSW in 2009; which is the least amount of MSW landfilled by the region in the

last decade. 

 

Other Findings

Environmental Benefits• Residential Recycling:

– Gallons gas saved: 63,277,048 gallons; OR

– Number of households electricity use saved: 50,725 households; OR

– Acres forest preserved: 3,888 acres; OR

– Greenhouse Gas Reductions: nearly 560,000 tons.

• Processing:– Greenhouse Gas Reductions:

approximately 928,992 tons

NonMSW Managed

• In 2009, the total tons of NonMSW managed for the region was 1.9 million, a decrease of 24.6% since 2008.

Hazardous Waste Regulation 

• The region licensed 9,500 hazardous waste generators and conducted over 3,300 inspections in 2009.

Solid Waste Hauler Licensing 

• The counties issued over 230 base licenses and 550 operating licenses through its MSW Regional Solid Waste Hauler Licensing Program.

County Supporting Initiatives

Each county is making substantial progress on its County Supporting

Initiatives in the Master Plan. 

 

• In developing the Master Plan, each county committed to County Supporting Initiatives that support the region in achieving its Master Plan Outcomes while drawing upon the strengths of each particular county.

• The Report finds that each county is making substantial progress on its County Supporting Initiatives.

County Supporting Initiatives

Anoka County• Developed a recycling assistance program for schools and

municipalities, including a recycling bin grant program that awarded 1,800 recycling bins to participants.

• Executed a new contract with RRT Elk River to continue processing Anoka County MSW through 2012.

Carver County• Set record for annual attendance at Environmental Center,

with 23,451 visitors in 2009.• Worked with haulers to collect organics through current yard

waste collection systems. Key items include:– Creekside Soils began accepting organics from a local hauler.

– Organics deliveries to Arboretum demonstration site increased 40%.

– County applied for MPCA grant to relocate county demonstration site.

County Supporting Initiatives

Dakota County• Remodeled The Recycling Zone, incorporating recycled-

content materials, environmentally-friendly products, and materials from local suppliers when possible.

• Passed a resolution certifying that regularly scheduled garbage pick-up is available to all residents and banning the burning and burial of solid waste by farmers.

Hennepin County• Developed new materials to inform residents and

Community POWER grantees on proper disposal of HHW. • Processed waste at full capacity at the HERC facility.

Several improvements were also implemented at HERC.• Ended processing contract with RRT Elk River and closed

the Freeway Transfer Station.

County Supporting Initiatives

Ramsey County• Conducted inspections of sites slated for demolition to

remove mercury-containing products and other hazardous items prior to demolition.

• Improved recycling in county operations through contracting and education.

• Continued work on GreenGatherings, a partnership to promote green events.

Washington County• Opened new Environmental Center in Woodbury in

September, which included expanded services. Total participation increased 4.8% in 2009, despite the program being closed for 10 weeks during construction of the Center.

County Supporting Initiatives

Washington County (cont.)• Developed a “Made in MN” exhibit, featuring Minnesota

businesses using recycled materials and highlighting the environmental and economic benefits of recycling.

Ramsey and Washington Counties • Entered into a pilot agreement with Second Harvest

Heartland to provide and expand food rescue services, significantly increasing the quantity of perishable foods collected from 563 tons in 2008 to 811 tons in 2009.

• Commissioned a feasibility study for the anaerobic digestion of source separate organic materials in the eight-county metro area.

Approval of 2009 Report

Action Requested:Approval for staff to submit the 2009 Annual

Results Report to the MPCA.