<<

Recycling Progress Report management during a pandemic May 2021

Contents

Introduction...... 4 Progress toward goals...... 5 Continuing important services during a challenging time...... 8 and climate action...... 12 Achieving more through collaboration. . . . . 15 Progress on implementing master plan strategies...... 16 Focus on organics...... 16 Waste prevention and ...... 21 Engaging residents through and outreach...... 25 Serving residents where they are...... 28 Promoting drop-offs for and additional recyclables...... 32 Recovering resources from the trash . . . . . 34

2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT | 3 Introduction

The Recycling Progress Report provides an update on implementation of Hennepin County’s Solid Master Plan, progress toward waste diversion goals, and a summary of the 2020 results for the county’s waste management programs . State statute requires metropolitan counties to prepare master plans every six years that identify strategies to meet the recycling goals and objectives in the state’s Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan . The policy plan was adopted by the Commissioner of the Minnesota Control Agency (MPCA) on April 6, 2017, establishing the framework for managing solid waste in the metro area through 2036 . The policy plan sets objectives for each waste management method, with an emphasis on the upper end of the waste management hierarchy in order to achieve the legislative goals for recycling and organics recovery . Minnesota State Statute 115A .551 establishes a 75% recycling rate goal by 2030 . Hennepin County developed its 2018 Solid Waste Management Master Plan to make progress toward the goal of recycling 75% of waste by 2030 . The master plan demonstrates the county’s commitment to conserving natural resources, protecting the environment, and ensuring public health and safety . Learn more about the master plan at hennepin.us/solidwasteplanning . The county’s master plan was developed to be consistent with the Hennepin County Board of Commissioner’s mission “to enhance the health, safety and quality of life of our residents and communities in a respectful, efficient and fiscally responsible way”. It is also consistent with the Hennepin County Environment and Energy Department’s mission of “protecting the environment and conserving resources for future generations” and overarching strategic goal that “Hennepin County’s environment is preserved for future generations ”. Developing the next solid waste management master plan The MPCA will begin drafting changes to the Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan in 2021, which kicks off the next planning cycle for counties to update their solid waste management master plans .

Next steps in the planning process • May 2021: MPCA issues pre-draft notice for public comments • Summer 2021: MPCA begins drafting changes to the policy plan • Spring 2022: MPCA releases draft policy plan • Winter 2022: MPCA approves the final policy plan • 2023: County develops and adopts its master plan

4 | 2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT Progress toward goals

COVID-19 pandemic causes shift in waste stream

The quick action and precautions to protect health % change in where recycling and organics was and safety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic generated, 2019 to 2020 disrupted people’s lives, causing changes in the 30% waste management system . As offices, businesses, and 20% schools shut down in spring 2020 and people spent 10% more time at home, the amount of waste generated 0% shifted from the commercial sector to residential . Recycling Organics Recycling Organics -10% As illustrated in the chart, residential recycling and Residential Commercial organics recycling increased in 2020 compared -20% to 2019, while commercial recycling and organics -30% collection decreased . -40%

Data from the City of Minneapolis further illuminates -50% this change . As more people worked from home and ate most of their meals at home, residential trash and recycling in Minneapolis increased by 9% in 2020 and organics increased by over 14% .

We’ve made incremental progress, but have a long way to go to get to zero waste

About 1 .24 million tons of solid waste, which includes recycling, organics, and trash, was generated in Landfilling Recycling 32% 26% Hennepin County in 2020 . That is a 1% decrease from 2019, or about 7,000 tons less . Of the total tons generated, 42% was managed as recycling and organics . The remaining 58% was managed as trash at a waste-to-energy facility or . Waste management in 2020 The impact of COVID-19 and changes to waste reporting contributed to shifts in waste management data . Commercial recycling estimates have been removed from the county’s 2020 and previous years’ reporting to be consistent with the MPCA’s reporting methodology . As a result, the recycling rate is significantly lower than in past years . The reporting Waste-to- Organics changes also resulted in more tons of yard waste energy 16% 26% being accounted for, contributing to the increase in organics recycling .

2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT | 5 Changes in waste management methods, 2019 to 2020 Management method 2019 (tons) 2020 (tons) Percent change Recycling 327,995 324,716 -1% Organics (includes yard waste) 140,864 196,088 39% 351,481 328,210 -7% Landfill 427,413 391,562 -8% Total 1,247,753 1,240,576 -1%

Achieving a recycling rate greater than 50% has proved challenging Minnesota statute requires metro counties achieve a 75% recycling rate by 2030 . Hennepin County supports this goal . However, despite implementing many new programs and policies aimed at reducing waste and increasing diversion over the past 20 years, it has been challenging for the county to achieve a diversion rate greater than 50% . Organics recycling is our biggest opportunity to reduce our trash Diverting organic materials, which include food, food-soiled , and compostable products, is the biggest opportunity to reduce our trash . Waste sort studies continue to show that organic materials are the largest proportion of our trash – making up about 25% of the trash stream . Diverting organics from the trash involves many different strategies: food waste prevention, food rescue for hunger relief, food-to-animals, composting, and .

Top 10 most common materials found in the trash Hennepin County waste sort study, 2016

Food waste 19.0%

Very small items (< 1/2) 6.3%

Compostable paper 5.7%

Diapers & hygiene products 4.9%

Pet waste 4.9%

Treated wood, plywood 4.3%

Yard waste 4.2%

Non-recyclable film 3.8%

Non-recyclable paper 3.0%

Non-recyclable durable plastic 2.7% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18% 20%

6 | 2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT Changes to reporting methodology The complexity of the solid waste system makes it difficult to measure how waste is managed . Collecting recycling data from the commercial sector is particularly challenging . Hennepin County has the largest economy of all 87 counties in Minnesota, with over 40,400 businesses . Without a hauler reporting requirement or access to recycling facility data collected by the state, the county needed to calculate an estimate of commercial recycling . With so many businesses, conducting site visits and surveys was impractical . In the , the county completed a study to estimate the quantity of recycling from the commercial sector . That estimate was indexed to employment data and has been adjusted annually . This methodology was maintained until recently . In 2015, the Minnesota State Legislature required haulers to report directly to the MPCA with the goal of improving the reliability of data to ensure accurate measurement of progress toward solid waste management goals . Over the next few years, the MPCA developed an online reporting system for haulers and facilities . The MPCA shares this data with counties . Because of the improvements to the reporting system, the MPCA no longer allows the use of commercial recycling estimates . This change in methodology and data sources has impacted the results reported by counties . The reported numbers this year are different due to the change in reporting, not because of changes to programs . There is still under- reporting of recycling tons because of shortcomings in the reporting system, including compliance, and quality control . Hennepin County will continue to work to address these challenges with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, but the recent improvements to measurement provide more reliable information to guide policy decisions .

2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT | 7 Continuing important services during a challenging time

Although 2020 was a challenging and disruptive year, we were proud to continue to offer important services, including providing disposal services, conducting inspections, pivoting to virtual offerings, adjusting to meet the needs of our community, and making progress on many priority initiatives .

Offering disposal services and conducting inspections The hazardous events we were able to hold – at sites large enough to ensure proper distancing – were similarly busy . The two events had nearly 1,800 residents dropping off over 110,000 pounds of waste, or 62 pounds per resident . This essential work was supported by call center staff, who handled more than 22,500 calls, totaling about 600 hours responding to resident questions . In addition to disposal services for residents, operations continued without pause at the Brooklyn Park Transfer Station and the Hennepin Center . These facilities are vital in keeping the solid waste system operational . After a pause in inspections due to COVID-19 Throughout 2020, we worked to continue important restrictions, hazardous waste inspectors, who work services of ensuring proper disposal of hazardous with businesses to ensure they are properly managing waste and supporting the operation of the solid hazardous waste to protect the environment, waste system . conducted more than 200 routine site inspections After being shut down for parts of March and April, and additional site visits . the county’s two permanent drop-off facilities, which provide proper disposal for household hazardous waste and problem materials, reopened with changes in operations to ensure health and safety . With many people doing house projects and cleaning out their homes this year, the drop-off facilities received a record number of visitors in the fall who dropped off more waste per person than average .

8 | 2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT Going virtual When restrictions went into place this spring, many of our programs to promote waste reduction and recycling pivoted to virtual offerings . The shift was easy for the Zero Waste Challenge, since online challenges were already in the works for 2020 . The online Zero Waste Challenge and online Stop Food Waste Challenge engaged more than 600 participants in taking more than 2,800 actions . Master Recycler/Composter volunteers have found Common actions included decluttering, stopping creative and safe ways to volunteer this year, wish-cycling, reducing junk mail, completing a waste including helping ReUSE Minnesota salvage plywood, audit, taking a food inventory, creating a weekly meal labeling recycling carts for the City of Minneapolis, plan, establishing an eat first area in the fridge, and participating in food rescue operations, and learning how to properly store food . educating their communities virtually . The Master Recycler program managers teamed up with a Fix-It Clinic volunteer to create upcycled nametags for the new volunteers by collecting and reusing old license plates . When we had to cancel our monthly in-person Fix-It Clinics, we started offering one-on-one virtual repair assistance . The virtual option provided Fix-It volunteers the opportunity to help people repair larger items that can’t be brought into a clinic, such as a dishwasher and closet doors . Hazardous waste inspectors conducted 14 virtual hazardous waste inspections, many of them at healthcare facilities that were limiting in-person activities .

Spring and fall Master Recycler/Composter classes were offered online, enabling more than 80 new volunteers to complete the training course . An online summer refresher for current Master Recyclers had 75 attendees, including some participants who first completed their training in 2011!

2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT | 9 Meeting community needs Following the civil unrest in Minneapolis, we reached out to businesses licensed through our commercial The challenges of 2020 presented new and increasing hazardous waste program who experienced damage needs in our community, and we shifted resources to to provide support and guidance on managing waste, help meet those needs . and we conducted pre-demolition inspections on We provided $100,000 in funding to support the damaged properties to ensure waste was properly continued operation of Second Harvest Heartland’s managed . Minnesota Central Kitchen . The program rescues food that would otherwise go to waste and uses Making progress on priority it to provide meals to those in need while offering initiatives employment to kitchen and restaurant staff that would otherwise be out of work . Even with all the disruptions this year, we were able to make significant progress on some new and priority initiatives .

Developing the Climate Action Plan We developed the county’s Climate Action Plan with initiatives to reduce and strategies to adapt to our changing climate in ways that reduce vulnerabilities and ensure a more equitable and resilient Hennepin County . The plan will serve as the foundation for the county’s coordinated approach to planning, policy development, and responses to . The public engagement process gathered feedback from To help food shelves meet an unprecedented 80 public entity partners through online meetings, demand, we provided funding through our business 160 community partners, residents, and youth recycling grants program for freezers and refrigerators through virtual feedback sessions, and 2,500 residents to increase their capacity to rescue food . Three and community partners through an online survey organizations were awarded grants that helped them and comment form . expand their capacity to rescue more food and serve more families in need . We partner with community groups through our Green Partners environmental education grants program to engage communities in learning about and taking action to protect the environment . Throughout the year, we supported grantees in shifting their project plans and outreach approaches, and, where needed, helped them extend their project timelines to give them more time to successfully work with their communities .

10 | 2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT Salvaging building materials Supporting reuse retailers and promoting To reduce the amount of building materials going buying used to , we created resources and programs to The Join the Circle campaign was launched to encourage deconstruction of buildings rather than support our Choose to Reuse program . We created demolition, reuse of building materials from home articles that provide tips for buying used, and more improvement projects, and proper management than 300 residents pledged to buy used and signed hazardous waste from demolition sites . up for Join the Circle resources and events . We also We partnered with 17 cities in the county to offer supported 18 retailers with training and resources in deconstruction grants and conduct pre-demolition marketing and merchandising . inspections . We provided deconstruction grants to 16 projects to support building material salvage, reuse, and recycling . Materials commonly salvaged include light and plumbing fixtures, cabinets, doors and windows, wood flooring, and dimensional lumber . Staff completed 95 in-person pre-demolition inspections and 94 remote document reviews .

2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT | 11 Zero waste and climate action

Waste and material use strategies to Prevent food waste reduce emissions Strategies to reduce waste and increase the of materials are important components to achieving the county’s goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 . A traditional greenhouse gas inventory shows the emissions broken down by energy, transportation, and waste . In this view, the impact of the goods we buy and use appears small because disposal is responsible for only a small percentage of the of most products . If you regroup the emissions to show how they are tied to the production of materials and goods, you see that what we buy has a big impact on climate . Systems-based greenhouse gas sources Climate action experts identify reducing food Source U .S . EPA 2009 waste as one of the single most effective solutions to climate change . Food has both upstream and Materials 42% Provision of food 13% downstream impacts, from the energy used to grow, transport, process, and refrigerate it to the methane Provision generated when food waste is landfilled . Although of goods 29% methane made up only 10% of the total greenhouse gas emissions nationwide in 2018, it is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of trapping solar radiation and exacerbating climate change . An estimated 17% of all methane emissions come from landfills . From waste sorts, we know that about Use of 20% of our trash is food . Preventing food waste and appliances and devices composting or digesting food is the biggest 8% Building lighting opportunity for our residents and businesses to and HVAC 1% 25% reduce waste . Transportation of people 24% Creating new products requires energy – to harvest Strategies raw material, process it, manufacture it, transport it, • Support food rescue efforts to divert more food to and sometimes, to use it . Producing and transporting people in need . goods is associated with 45% of global emissions . • Help businesses and organizations that produce This underscores the importance of consumer a lot of food waste implement best practices for choices and the connections between climate, preventing food waste . material use, and waste . The following strategies are • Develop a consumer campaign on food waste included in the county’s Climate Action Plan . prevention .

12 | 2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT Divert organic material from the trash Strategies • Continue to support and fund residential and commercial organics recycling programs and implement business food waste recycling requirements and city residential organics recycling requirements . • Develop organics recycling infrastructure by advancing anaerobic digestion and making improvements to the Brooklyn Park Transfer Station . • Close the loop by increasing the use of in county projects . • Expand organics collection and improve recycling at county facilities

Reuse and recycle and demolition In 2018, Hennepin County revised its recycling waste ordinance to make organics recycling more widely Materials available and accessible to residents . By January widely used in 1, 2022, large cities (those with more than 10,000 construction, residents) must make organics available to all including households with curbside recycling, which includes cement, single-family homes and dwellings up to 4 units . aluminum, Smaller cities (those with fewer than 10,000 residents) , and , have some of the highest climate must provide an organics recycling drop-off if impacts . Many building materials have the potential curbside organics service is not made available . to be salvaged and reused or recycled . In fact, about In multifamily buildings not served by city programs, 85% of the materials in a typical demolition project properties can request organics hauling service from could be salvaged for reuse and kept out of landfills . some haulers for a fee . The county provides financial But currently, only about 30% of building materials are assistance to cover some of the startup costs through reused or recycled . the county’s business recycling grants . The county also provides free educational materials and on- Strategies site assistance to property owners and managers . • Require the salvage and recycling of construction Additionally, as of January 1, 2020, businesses and at all county-funded that generate large quantities of food waste must building projects . implement food waste recycling in back-of-house • Educate county contractors on building material operations . reuse and recycling . • Increase implementation of in-place pavement rehabilitation in projects . • Sustainably manage waste after disasters .

2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT | 13 Understand the climate impacts of our Advocate for state leadership on zero waste purchases and mitigate the largest impacts policies and producer responsibility Engaging and educating residents, businesses, institutions, and cities will be critical to both adapting to what lies ahead and taking action to reduce climate impacts . For materials and waste, this means engagement and education around the climate impacts of consumption and reducing Minnesota statute requires metro counties achieve the environmental impacts of waste . The county a 75% recycling rate by 2030 . Hennepin County has several popular programs that shift consumer supports this goal . However, despite implementing behavior by generating excitement about waste many new programs and policies aimed at reducing prevention, encouraging action on waste reduction waste and increasing diversion over the past 20 years, and reuse, and partnering with organizations in it has been challenging for the county to achieve a the community to motivate behavior change . diversion rate greater than 50% . A serious effort to These include training Master Recycler/Composter reduce the amount of trash we are producing will volunteers, offering educational challenges for require bold action from state leadership . residents to reduce waste, go plastic-free and prevent Strategies food waste, and hosting Fix-It Clinics to encourage repair . The county also supports reuse retailers and • Support product and extended encourages residents to shop used first through the producer responsibility (EPR), especially for plastic Choose to Reuse program . packaging and single-use plastics . • Support standards for product design that Strategies minimize environmental impacts, improve • Use the results of a consumption-based emissions product durability and longevity, ensure the right inventory to create a more comprehensive to repair, and establishes producer responsibility approach to climate change mitigation . for end-of-life management . • Educate residents on the climate impacts of • Advocate for state funding and market consumer choices and expand efforts that development initiatives that align with climate educate residents and businesses on the action and zero waste goals . importance of waste prevention, recycling, and • Advocate for additional authority and tools that composting . would allow local to implement • Develop and implement a county sustainable climate action and zero waste strategies . purchasing policy on par with other leading • Join the U S. . Plastics Pact, which brings together public entities and provide sustainable purchasing plastic packaging producers, brands, retailers, best practices . recyclers, and waste management companies to • Encourage purchases that prioritize reuse, durable take coordinated action to tackle plastic waste goods, and avoiding disposables . and pollution .

14 | 2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT Achieving more through collaboration

Partnership on Waste and Energy Consumer education campaign on battery disposal and recycling The Partnership on Waste and Energy (PWE) is a PWE developed Joint Powers Agreement between the Ramsey/ a consumer Washington Recycling & Energy Board and Hennepin education County collaborating in areas of waste and energy campaign on management, including legislation and policy proper disposal development, and outreach, of batteries to planning and evaluation of waste processing, and protect waste other selected programs . management Anaerobic digestion development facilities from fires PWE has been working with Great Plains Institute and damage . (GPI) since 2018 to explore anaerobic digestion as The campaign includes attention-grabbing visuals a to recover value from organic waste and straightforward calls to action in order to raise in Minnesota . In 2020, GPI built on previous work awareness about battery fire impacts, decrease to identify specific steps that can facilitate the improper disposal of batteries, and increase battery development of new anaerobic digestion projects in recycling at county household hazardous waste Minnesota . This was undertaken through additional sites . By working in partnership, the campaign aims stakeholder meetings, interviews, literature review to reach a broad audience in the metro area with and studies . The project culminated in a report consistent messaging on battery disposal . of policy and regulatory considerations available at recyclingandenergy.org/partnership-reports Statewide New online training for hazardous waste committee generators Hennepin County staff play a leadership role in Businesses that generate hazardous waste are statewide product stewardship planning and required to complete training through the county in policy . The Minnesota Product Stewardship Council which they operate . Due to the pandemic, offering dissolved in 2020 to become a committee of the Solid this training in a classroom setting was not feasible, Waste Administrators Association (SWAA) . SWAA’s and, even before the pandemic, feedback from Product Stewardship Committee will develop a many businesses indicated a growing interest in shared vision of product stewardship by all Minnesota an online training that could be completed at their counties and will coordinate on product stewardship convenience . County compliance staff identified an efforts within Minnesota . Hennepin County staff opportunity for collaboration and worked together to held the position of chair in the Minnesota Product develop on-demand online training . The project also Stewardship Council in 2020 and will carry on that allowed the counties to offer the trainings in Spanish leadership role into the SWAA Product Stewardship and include closed captioning . Additional languages Committee . will be added in the future .

2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT | 15 Progress on implementing master plan strategies

Focus on organics The impact of COVID-19 on compost site Organic materials make up 30% of trash, so recycling operations highlights them is key to achieving a 75% recycling goal by need for increasing 2030 and reducing the amount of waste we send to processing capacity and landfills . Diverting organics from the trash reduces reducing contamination emissions of greenhouse gases, especially methane, which is generated from the decomposition of organic materials in landfills . Infrastructure development The disruptions due to COVID-19 have highlighted the strain on organics processing capacity in the Twin Cities metro area . Additional capacity is needed to ensure the viability of existing organics recycling programs and support the development of new programs .

2020 results Like many other businesses, • Contracted to complete the design for capital improvements to the compost sites that serve expand the county’s Brooklyn Park Transfer Station to manage more the metro area experienced organic materials and remove contaminants . The county is pursuing disruptions due to COVID-19 . state bonding for this project . The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) site • Explored options to increase short-term organics processing capacity suspended organics deliveries for by supporting the development of additional compost sites . Only nearly a month in April 2020, and two compost sites now serve the metro area . Those sites are at or the Specialized Environmental near capacity . Other sites have been permitted for composting but (SET) site made are not operational . temporary operational changes . • Increase long-term organics processing capacity by preparing to Prior to the pandemic, manual move forward with anaerobic digestion . removal of contaminants, such • Worked with Transporation and other partners to use more as plastic and glass, was a critical compost in county projects . part of operations . Manual • Provided more education on the need to reduce contamination sorting stopped during the in organics recycling and enforced stricter contamination pandemic as a precaution to standards for organics loads delivered to the county’s Brooklyn Park protect the health and safety of Transfer Station . employees .

16 | 2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT Regulatory flexibility temporarily allowed alternative management options Challenges related to COVID-19 reduced processing capacity at the compost sites, restricted the ability to remove contamination, and made it more difficult to meet quality standards and sell finished product . Because of these extenuating circumstances, some organics delivered for composting was landfilled In order for organics recycling programs to be rather than turned into compost in 2020 . The MPCA, sustainable, composters must receive organics with recognizing the hardship that some regulated entities very low levels of noncompostable materials, or experienced as a result of COVID-19, offered regulatory contamination . This change was a step to ensure flexibility to allow alternative management options the viability of organics recycling programs . while maintaining permit and regulatory compliance . The commercial composting facilities that serve The MPCA worked closely with the Minnesota the Twin Cities metro were already reducing the Department of Revenue, the Governor’s office, and amount of contamination they accepted at their the Legislature to pass legislation and grant regulatory facilities . Changes in their operations to reduce flexibility with specific conditions to minimize the manual sorting due to COVID-19 heightened these amount of organics sent to landfills . SET received concerns . regulatory flexibility in its operations with the intent of limiting employee contact with incoming organics for Receiving organics free of contamination allows health and safety concerns related to COVID-19 . local composters to consistently produce clean, nutrient-rich compost that people want to Because of the lack of organics processing capacity, purchase and use . Compost that contains plastic, the county also received regulatory flexibility for the glass, and other contaminants is very difficult to management of organics at the Brooklyn Park Transfer sell and can only be used for low-end purposes . Station . Hennepin County has been educating businesses Reducing organics contamination and residents on the importance of knowing what’s accepted for organics recycling and sharing Effective September 8, 2020, Hennepin County best practices for reducing contamination . began enforcing stricter contamination standards for organics recycling delivered to the county’s Brooklyn Important materials to keep out of the Park Transfer Station . Most organics recycling from organics recycling Hennepin County is delivered to this facility before being sent to a compost site . Organic materials collected at businesses, schools, multifamily properties, homes, and drop-off sites are delivered to commercial composting facilities . There, the materials are mixed with yard waste and processed to become compost, a nutrient-rich soil amendment . Compost is sold for use in landscaping, road construction, and garden projects .

2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT | 17 Food waste prevention Both residents and businesses play a significant To support businesses and nonprofit organizations in role in preventing and reducing food waste in our preventing food waste, the county board allocated communities . The following are a few examples of $100,000 in funding to support the continued ways the county supported residents and businesses operation of Second Harvest Heartland’s Minnesota in preventing food waste . Central Kitchen . The program rescues food that would This year was an opportunity to go virtual to engage otherwise go to waste and uses it to provide meals residents with the Stop Food Waste Challenge, which to those in need employing restaurant staff who is an extension of the Zero Waste Challenge . The would otherwise be out of work . The program started month-long challenge included more than 40 actions in April 2020 in partnership with Chowgirls Catering to choose from in five categories . As participants and Loaves & Fishes in response to the COVID-19 reported what actions they successfully completed, pandemic . the challenge platform calculated the estimated Providing meals to people experiencing food impact of their actions . insecurity aligns with the county’s goals of reducing racial disparities in health, and preventing food waste helps meet the county’s goals of reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions .

Stop Food Waste Challenge impacts Minnesota Central Kitchen: rescuing The reported actions from 212 participants in the food and addressing food insecurity Stop Food Waste Challenge had the following Minnesota impacts: Central Kitchen • 50 pounds of food waste prevented, initially employed • More than 500 pounds of carbon dioxide 139 people emissions avoided and provided 45,000 meals per • Over 250 pounds of organic material week to people composted experiencing food • Almost 80 zero-waste meals prepared insecurity . Most of the food used to make the meals is surplus donated food from food retailers and hospitality businesses . Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, Second Harvest Heartland has seen demand for food in their service area increase by an average of 22% . Across Minnesota, it’s estimated that an additional 150,000 people, including more than 67,000 kids, have faced food insecurity in the past year .

18 | 2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT 2020 results • Developed a three-year plan for addressing food Master Recycler/Composter waste in Hennepin County . volunteers rescue food to help • Provided funding to Second Harvest Heartland’s people in need new Minnesota Central Kitchen program which employs restaurant staff who would otherwise be In 2020, Master Recycler/Composter volunteers spent 62 hours picking up donated food from unemployed as a result of the pandemic to feed restaurants and catering and delivering it to those in need . shelters and other human services nonprofit • Developed and launched a one-month online organizations . Stop Food Waste Challenge for Hennepin County residents . Partners included The Food Group, Second Harvest Heartland, Minnesota Central Kitchen, • Continued to educate residents on the Chowgirls Catering, Dream of Wild Health, and importance of food waste prevention through Minneapolis Farmers Markets . our Zero Waste Challenge and Master Recycler/ Composter programs . Through food rescue, volunteers directly • Continued to participate in the City of supported 781 residents! Minneapolis’ Food Council, which supports a system with a focus on sustainability and is developing the Minneapolis Food Action Plan, which includes a segment on waste prevention and disposal . 62 • Provided funding to food rescue organizations to hours volunteered purchase refrigerators and freezers to expand their capacity to rescue and redistribute food . • Hosted a GreenCorps member to work on food 781 waste prevention projects at schools, multifamily residents supported properties, and county facilities . • Connected Master Recycler/Composter volunteers to food rescue opportunities .

2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT | 19 Organics recycling requirements

On November 27, 2018, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners approved revisions to the county’s recycling ordinance (ordinance 13) . These changes required businesses that generate large quantities of food waste to implement food waste recycling by January 1, 2020 . Cities are required to provide residents access to curbside organics recycling service by 2022 .

2020 results • Sent mailings in January to business owners to remind them of the food waste recycling requirements that went into effect on January 1, 2020 . • Developed training modules that business owners can use to help train their staff to properly sort organics . These training modules are available hennepin.us/businessorganics under education and training resources . • Completed a self-reporting form for business owners to report on their organics, food donation, and food waste prevention programs . Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the priority on protecting public health, no additional outreach was completed to businesses on the food waste recycling requirement . Disruptions in the resulted in temporary closures or shifting business models to takeout for many restaurants . Delays in outreach and enforcement continue because of the financial impacts on sectors covered within the food waste recycling requirement and challenges with compost sites .

20 | 2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT Progress on implementing master plan strategies Waste prevention and reuse Hennepin County offers programs such as the Join the Circle and Choose to Reuse campaign, monthly Fix-It Clinics, and Zero Waste Challenges to encourage waste reduction and reuse . To reach its waste reduction goals, the county also targets specific materials that represent the largest percentage of reusable goods found in the trash, including food waste, wood, textiles, furniture, and household goods . Choose to Reuse Hennepin County encourages residents to support local reuse, rental, and repair retailers through the Choose to Reuse program, which includes the online Choose to Reuse Directory . Residents’ buying choices and where they shop can protect the environment and support the local economy . The resale business sector is strong and continuing to grow, but many local shops are competing with e-commerce marketplaces . Because of this, they recognize the power of partnering within their community to grow their local businesses .

Join the Circle campaign provides free support to reuse retailers Participating retailers receive: • Exclusive trainings and resources related to merchandising, marketing, social media, and operations . • Marketing initiatives developed and deployed by Hennepin County to increase awareness and drive new customers to their store . • Access to Join the Circle content that they can The county launched a new campaign – Join the share with existing and prospective customers Circle – that provides a free marketing program to deepen their relationships with them . for reuse retailers and discounts to residents . The • Inclusion in a reuse retailer community that program aims to highligh the benefits of buying shares advice and support among members . used and encourages consumers to shop at local reuse retailers . Individual consumers interested in buying used can sign up to Join the Circle and receive valuable waste reduction tips, discounts, and exclusive previews for sale events .

2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT | 21 2020 results: • Launched neighborhood targeted content and paid promotion to support retailers . • Recruited 50 retailers to sign up for Join the Circle in February 2020, and, after a delay to August 2020, debuted the Join the Circle marketing program with 18 retailers . • Published a calendar of events and 16 articles related to reuse . The articles continue to be popular on the county’s social media . • Supported Hennepin County retailers with training and resources in marketing and merchandising by hosting six online events in 2020 . • Reached 155,000 county residents via Facebook content, achieving more than 500,000 impressions . • More than tripled monthly page views to the Choose to Reuse website, increasing from 5,000 to more than 16,000 . • Acquired more than 1,200 subscribers to Choose to Reuse: Tips, Events and Join the Circle email subscriptions Fix-It Clinics Hennepin County Fix-It Clinics provide free, hands-on assistance Going virtual provides from knowledgeable volunteers opportunity for larger in disassembling, troubleshooting, repairs and repairing household items . In June, the program pivoted to a Virtual repair assistance virtual option in which volunteers provided Fix-It Clinic volunteers helped residents repair their items the opportunity to help people at home . repair larger items that can’t be brought into a clinic, such as a 2020 results dishwasher and closet doors . • Continued to teach valuable repair skills and build community by virtually connecting Fix-It Clinic volunteers to those in need of repair assistance . • Found creative ways for Fix-It Clinic volunteers to use their skills to help other programs . For example, a Fix-It Clinic volunteer teamed up with Master Recycler program managers to create upcycled nametags for new volunteers by collecting and reusing old license plates .

22 | 2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT Deconstruction and pre-demolition inspections

Deconstruction grants successfully salvage building materials In the first year of awarding deconstruction grants: • 16 projects totaling over $65,000 were awarded • More than 550 tons of building materials diverted from landfills*, including: – 113 tons of materials salvaged for reuse – 437 tons of materials recycling *for the 14 projects completed in 2020 – two In an effort to divert waste from landfills, Hennepin projects are wrapping up in 2021 County began providing incentives to homeowners and developers to deconstruct structures rather than demolish them . Deconstruction involves carefully 2020 results: dismantling buildings to salvage materials for reuse . • Launched deconstruction grant program to Commonly salvaged building materials include old provide funds for residents and property owners growth lumber, doors, flooring, cabinets and fixtures . to use deconstruction techniques to salvage Deconstruction provides an opportunity to divert up building materials from home renovation and to 85% of construction and demolition waste and removal projects as an alternative to standard provides numerous environmental and social benefits mechanical demolition . compared to standard demolition . The new incentive • Partnered with 17 cities to participate as hosts program launched in 2020 makes deconstruction a of the program . In 2020, cities were required more affordable option by offering up to $5,000 to to participate in the pre-demolition inspection homeowners and developers to offset the added time program for residents to be eligible for grants . and labor for deconstruction projects . • Contracted with Better Futures Minnesota to Construction and demolition projects can also fully deconstruct six buildings and partially reveal hazardous materials, such as asbestos, items deconstruct 31 buildings within the county, containing or lead like fluorescent light diverting about 1,090 tons of material from bulbs and batteries, appliances, , paint, and landfills and provided job training for 84 people . pesticides . Managing these types of hazardous properly is important for protecting public health and the environment .

2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT | 23 • Provided education and outreach to residents, Waste prevention at schools and contractors, and other partners to reduce construction and demolition waste and properly businesses manage hazardous waste from demolition sites by launching websites and creating print materials with tips, guidelines, and contacts for salvage and recycling organizations and by giving presentations at virtual conferences and meetings . • Completed pre-demolition inspections to ensure proper management of hazardous materials prior to demolition . –C onducted 189 pre-demolition inspections, including 95 in-person inspections and 94 document-only inspections as an alternative to in-person visits in response to COVID-19 . –W orked with 81 unique contractors to coordinate the pre-demolition inspections To support schools and businesses in improving and follow up . recycling and reducing waste, the county provides funding, free signage and educational –A dded 13 cities to the inspection program materials, and technical assistance . in 2020, partnering with a total of 17 cities on the pre-demolition inspection and 2020 results deconstruction grants . • Reserved $50,000 in school recycling grant • Identified properties damaged in the civil unrest funding for waste reduction projects, such as following the murder of George Floyd to ensure for food rescue or donation and to switch from waste from demolition activity was managed disposable items to reusables . Allocated $28,231 properly . of the grant funds for items like reusable utensils • Participated in the MPCA’s year-long sustainable and water fillers to reduce waste from building material workgroup to provide guidance single-use plastic utensils and water . on changing the traditional construction • Designed a waste prevention grant program for and demolition waste system by focusing on businesses to be launched in 2021 . The program upstream initiatives such as waste prevention, focuses on preventing waste, including preventing reuse, and recycling . food waste, reusing goods and materials, and developing and using recovered products . Provided $71,700 of grant funds for items such as refillable takeout , dish washers, reusable utensils and refrigerators or freezers .

24 | 2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT Progress on implementing master plan strategies

Engaging residents Zero Waste Challenge participants through education and reduce waste despite stay-at-home outreach order The 2019 to 2020 round of the challenge wrapped Hennepin County promotes environmental up in May 2020, with 41 households successfully stewardship by raising awareness about changes in completing the 8-month program . recycling programs, generating excitement about waste reduction, and partnering with organizations in Through the challenge, average waste generation the community to motivate behavior change . decreased from 1 .62 pounds per person per day to 1 .53 pounds . This success happened despite the Zero Waste Challenge stay-at-home order and a dramatic shift in lifestyle for many people that led to higher residential The Zero Waste waste volumes across the country . Challenge Some of the actions that led to success for the launched in participants include: September 2016 to • Choosing cloth diapering help participants develop a lower- • Cutting back on online purchases waste lifestyle . • Getting off junk mail lists The challenge • Making green cleaning products continues to • •Sewing reusable masks out of old T-shirts successfully • Starting composting help residents reduce the average amount of waste generated per person . The challenge often helps • Using reusable menstrual products participants get started with composting – whether that be curbside collection, drop-off, backyard, or a 2020 results combination of methods – to achieve high recycling • Engaged 427 participants in taking more than rates as well as improve recycling and reduce wish- 2,300 actions during the first online Zero Waste cycling of items that are not recyclable . Challenge, which ran for six weeks in May and To help expand participation, an online version of June . Participants reported composting over 1,000 the Zero Waste Challenge launched in 2020 with pounds of waste, avoiding 1,400 pounds of waste two rounds of the challenge offered – a general Zero through waste reduction actions, and avoiding Waste Challenge and a food-specific, Stop Food Waste over 600 plastic items . Challenge . These two challenges engaged more • Interacted with 212 people participated in than 600 residents in taking more than 2,800 actions . the four-week Stop Food Waste Challenge . Common actions included decluttering, stopping Participants completed more than 500 actions, wish-cycling, reducing junk mail, completing a waste resulting in over 500 pounds of carbon dioxide audit, taking a food inventory, creating a weekly meal avoided, over 150 pounds of wasted food plan, establishing an “eat first” area in the fridge, and prevented, and almost 250 pounds of food scraps learning how to properly store food . composted .

2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT | 25 Master Recycler/Composter Green Partners environmental volunteers education program Master Recycler/Composter volunteers learn about Through the Green Partners environmental education waste prevention, recycling, and composting from program, the county provides funding, activity industry experts and tours of waste processing supplies, field trip transportation, and project support facilities during a six-week course . They then commit to organizations that empower residents to reduce to volunteering 30 hours inspiring others in their waste and increase recycling . communities to reduce waste, recycle more, and Throughout 2020, the county supported grantees in compost through activities such as answering shifting their project plans and outreach approaches questions at events and designing and implementing to comply with health and safety guidelines and meet waste reduction and recycling projects . the needs of their communities . Where needed, the Spring and fall Master Recycler/Composter classes county helped grantees extend their project timeline were offered online for the first time along with an to give them more time to successfully work with online refresher course for current Master Recyclers . their communities . Master Recycler/Composter volunteers found creative and safe ways to volunteer, including helping ReUSE Minnesota salvage plywood, labeling recycling carts for the City of Minneapolis, participating in food rescue operations, and educating their communities virtually .

2020 results: 2020 results: • Trained 86 volunteers through two online training • Received a record 53 applications for grants courses . in June . Awarded 20 grants - 13 youth • Hosted an online refresher course for current environmental education grants and 7 action Master Recyclers that had 75 attendees, including grants focusing on motivating adults to take some participants who first completed their environmental actions . training in 2011! • Supported 38 community groups in engaging • Received payback hours submissions from more than 11,500 people in environmental volunteers totaling more than 280 hours . education projects . Many of these partner Volunteers directly engaged with 4,790 residents organizations reach underserved populations, and supported events and activities that including youth, seniors, families, multicultural impacted 17,789 residents . residents, and low-income individuals .

26 | 2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT Outreach and communication –R ecycling and disposing of from purchases and efforts common waste created during the holidays –R educing contamination in organics recycling to ensure the sustainability of organics recycling programs –R educing waste and increasing recycling in home remodeling projects – Supporting reuse retailers and staying safe while thrift shopping • Created a new virtual HERC tour video for partners and residents to use while tours of the Brooklyn Outreach and communication efforts engage Park Drop-off Facility and HERC were suspended . our community and partners in developing the • Engaged more than 2,100 residents at five events knowledge, skills, attitudes and motivation to work in January, February, and March before COVID-19 individually and collectively towards sustaining a restrictions put in-person events on-hold for the healthy environment . rest of the year . 2020 results: • Promoted the Green Disposal Guide, an online • Kept residents up Keeping safe guide to help residents find information on to date on service the best way to recycle, reuse, or dispose of changes and new household items . The guide was visited by 91,879 health and safety unique visitors . 1. Face coverings required* guidelines . Masks are available if needed Everyone in all county public spaces is required to wear face coverings that cover both mouth and nose • Ensured and are secured to the head with ties or ear loops. 2. Stay in your unless downloadable otherwise directed by staff

*This requirement does not apply to children under 2 or to people who have a medical recycling signs condition or religious practice that prevents them from wearing a face covering. and educational materials were available when physical orders temporarily could not be filled, and worked to reopen orders safely to make these valuable materials available to partners . • Promoted waste prevention, recycling, proper disposal, and health and safety practices by providing tips and resources on the following topics: –A dopting low-waste practices while at home – Cleaning and disinfecting safely and properly storing hazardous waste while drop-off facilities were closed –P reventing food waste

2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT | 27 Progress on implementing master plan strategies: Serving residents where they are

of better recycling education and outreach . At home Representatives from the recycling industry, Recycling, organics, and trash service depends on local government, and other organizations met where you live . Cities provide recycling service to regularly to build consensus on what is universally most houses and smaller multifamily buildings (those accepted, coordinate consistent messaging to the with two to eight units) . This service is commonly public, and improve communication . referred to as single-family curbside recycling . Larger, • Provided technical assistance to cities on recycling multi-unit residential buildings have waste services RFPs and contracts . City recycling contracts allow provided by the property owner or manager . cities to communicate consistent educational messages, provide a variety of resources, and City recycling programs deliver the best overall price for service . COVID-19 had numerous impacts on city recycling Multifamily recycling programs . The amount of residential waste generated increased in 2020, and residents showed a renewed Hennepin County interest in recycling and waste . This is likely because offers resources residents were staying at home and taking closer note and support to of what they were throwing away . improve recycling at While some cities were able to offer city cleanup apartments, condos, events with increased safety protocols, others were and townhomes . unable to host their events as usual and instead Educational materials, worked to communicate alternate disposal options . container , and staff assistance Cities continued to provide waste services to their are available to help residents through the uncertainty and changes property managers brought on by COVID-19, including increased educate residents on difficulties with handling yard waste in early spring . what is recyclable and improve recycling rates . The 2020 results county is also focusing on increasing recycling service levels and encouraging reuse by partnering with local • Awarded $1 .8 million to cities to support their retailers to collect reusable materials from residents recycling programs . To receive a grant, cities on-site at multifamily complexes . were required to meet the terms of the county’s residential funding policy . 2020 results: • Assisted cities with promotional efforts and • Provided support to improve recycling to more sending residential guides to residents to increase than 12,000 units at 94 properties . consistent use of terminology and recycling • Sent a mailing in January to multifamily property messages . owners to remind them of the recycling collection • Continued to participate in the Recycling and education requirements that went into effect Education Committee, a statewide group formed on January 1, 2020 . by the MPCA to support the development

28 | 2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT City organics recycling programs 2020 results • Provided $1 .8 million in SCORE funding to 32 cities for the purpose of increasing organics diversion . Cities used the funding in a variety of ways, including to promote their programs, increase educational efforts, offset the cost of service, and provide supplies such as compostable and kitchen pails to participants . The county allocated 50% of SCORE funding to organics recycling in 2020 . • Supported cities in the launch and expansion of organics recycling programs . Participation in organics rose by 28% from 59,300 households The county and cities are focused on offering more in 2019 to 76,029 households in 2020 . Notable organics recycling opportunities and increasing efforts include: participation in organics recycling programs . Cities – Edina launched organized curbside organics offer different ways to participate in organics program, collecting 787 tons of materials recycling, including through citywide programs, since the program launched in June 2020 . The through specific haulers, and with drop-offs . county partnered with the city by developing Organics recycling availability, participation, and educational materials and promotional amount collected have been gradually increasing . brochures to encourage participation . Currently, more than 76,000 households, or 20% of – Robbinsdale’s organics recycling program has households in the county, participate in city organics increased to 429 participants since launching recycling programs . All cities in the county are in 2019 . required to make organics recycling service available • Assisted cities with promotional efforts and to households with curbside recycling service by sending recycling and organics recycling guides 2022 . to residents . Cities used county terminology and Residential organics images and provided messages through a variety tons collected of channels including direct mail, newsletters, websites, social media, and city events . 9000 8000 • Provide technical assistance on organics RFPs 7000 and contracts to support cities in meeting the 6000 requirement to establish organics programs before 5000 January 1, 2022 . City recycling contracts allow 4000 cities to communicate consistent educational 3000 messages, provide a variety of resources, and 2000 deliver the best overall price for service . 1000 0 20202019201820172016201520142013201220112010

2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT | 29 Organics drop-off sites At work Organics Some drop-off sites businesses increase access could be to organics composting recycling for up to 50% of all residents, especially those living in multifamily the materials properties without access to city recycling service or that currently those in cities that don’t offer service . Drop-offs also go in the trash . raise awareness about what organics recycling is, why Hennepin County offers technical assistance, grants, it is important, and how to get started . and educational materials to help businesses start recycling their food waste . 2020 results • Supported Minneapolis in opening a new Hennepin County has provided grants since 2013 as organics drop-off at Bryant Square Park in June . well as technical assistance and educational materials to businesses and nonprofit organizations as an • Increased participation in city drop-offs, with incentive to start and improve recycling and organics collection at Bloomington drop-offs increasing recycling efforts and reduce waste . Businesses that by 40% from 69 tons in 2019 to 96 tons in 2020 . have received grants have successfully increased the Richfield remained at 23 tons . amount of materials they divert from the trash .

Backyard composting 2020 results To increase • Awarded $388,000 in grants to 71 organizations . backyard • Fulfilled 200 orders for more than 33,600 posters composting, the and labels for recycling, organics recycling, and Environment trash containers . and Energy • Responded to more than 155 calls and emails for department assistance from businesses . partners with Hennepin County Sentencing to Service • Redesigned the business recycling grant program to build compost bins from cedar and wire mesh . The to create a more streamlined container and county also offered online composting webinars to program to improve access to small businesses . help residents learn how to compost .

2020 results: • Sold 130 compost bins at the drop-off facility in Brooklyn Park, where compost bins are available year-round . Community compost bin events were cancelled due to COVID-19 . • Hosted five online backyard composting workshops that provided training and education to over 215 residents .

30 | 2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT At school At events and Nearly 80% of school waste is recyclable or compostable . The county has on the go provided assistance and grants to schools for waste reduction, recycling, and organics recycling projects since 2002 . School staff and students For many years, Hennepin County are educated on waste reduction and recycling through free recycling has made portable recycling and signage and educational materials and bi-monthly school recycling organics recycling containers meetings . Classroom presentations were limited for most of the year available to event organizers since students were in distance learning mode . at no cost . In early 2020, the portable event container program 2020 results: was transitioned to the cities • Awarded $154,900 in grants to 37 schools to reduce waste or start or of Brooklyn Park and Hopkins, improve recycling and organics recycling programs . Helped schools making containers more readily adjust their project plans due to distance/hybrid learning models . available throughout the county . • Presented lessons on waste reduction, recycling, and organics The portable containers were recycling to 500 students at seven schools . not used in 2020 due to the • Delivered 116 cubic yards of free compost in partnership with the widespread cancellation of in- Mulch Store to 29 schools to close the loop on organics recycling . person events . The county will • Held four school recycling meetings for staff and volunteers to learn continue to partner with Brooklyn about waste management best practices and sustainability . The Park and Hopkins to provide the January meeting involved a tour of a facility . The containers for future events . other three meetings were held virtually, which also allowed more school staff to attend .

Survey results: sustained success of school recycling grants As part of our ongoing analysis of school recycling projects, grantees are surveyed one to two years after their grant project ends . Grantees from the 2015 and 2016 grant rounds were surveyed between November 2019 and January 2020 . About 50% of the former grantees surveyed responded . Of those who responded: • 100% of responding schools were continuing their projects • Free recycling container signage from the county was one of the most popular resources highlighted by former grantees . In response to COVID-19 restrictions, the container signage order form was download-only for six months in 2020 . We will continue to offer free signage to schools in the future .

2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT | 31 Progress on implementing master plan strategies

In addition to disposal services for residents, Promoting drop-offs for operations continued without pause at the Brooklyn hazardous waste and Park Transfer Station and the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center . These facilities are vital in keeping additional recyclables the solid waste system operational .

2020 results • Served more than 128,000 residents and collected over 3,500 tons of household hazardous waste and problem materials at county drop-off facilities and collection events . • Held two hazardous waste collection events at sites large enough to ensure proper distancing . The two events, each held over two days, had nearly 1,800 residents dropping off over 110,000 Many items that aren’t accepted in residential pounds of waste, or 62 pounds per participant . recycling programs can still be recycled through • Collected more than 1 million pounds of drop-offs . There are also items that contain hazardous . While many waste streams were materials that must be kept out of the trash because down due to COVID-19, the amount of cardboard they can harm our health or the environment . increased by 14% . To ensure proper disposal of hazardous items, the • Fielded more than 22,500 calls from residents . county operates permanent drop-off facilities in Call center staff spent more than 600 hours Bloomington and Brooklyn Park for residents to bring responding to resident questions . appliances, electronics, and household hazardous wastes . Medicine After being shut down for parts of March and April due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the drop-off facilities Some medicine were closed intermittently due reopened in May with new procedures and changes to COVID-19 and civil unrest in 2020 . No medicine in operations to keep staff and residents safe while collection events at senior living facilities were hosted ensuring they could still manage hazardous waste to keep residents and county staff safe . Despite this, and recyclables . medicine collection was only down 34 percent .

With many people doing house projects and cleaning 2020 results out their homes this year, the drop-off facilities • Collected nearly 13,000 pounds of medicine at received a record number of visitors in the fall who drop boxes operated in partnership with the dropped off more waste per person than average . county . • Promoted medicine disposal options at 55 medicine drop boxes – 23 of the boxes are operated in partnership with the county and 32 are operated by independent pharmacies .

32 | 2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT Mattress recycling Mattress recycling milestone: Half a Hennepin County and Second Chance Recycling million mattresses recycled have partnered on recycling and environmental services since the early 1980s . Second Chance is a In 2008, Second Minneapolis-based nonprofit run by EMERGE that Chance Recycling provides transitional employment opportunities for launched a people with barriers to employment . mattress recycling program with In recent years, the demand for the mattress recycling start-up funding service has outpaced capacity, so the county recently provided provided $400,000 to Second Chance to expand Hennepin County . processing capacity and improve efficiency . In November 2020, the program hit a major Recycling options for mattresses were limited due to milestone: 500,000 mattresses recycled! COVID-19 restrictions . The Hennepin County drop-off That’s more than 40,000 mattresses recycled each facility in Brooklyn Park had to discontinue collection year over the 12 years of the program, and it adds of mattresses to ensure safety of staff and residents up to thousands of tons of steel, foam, wood, and as they require two people to carry, which doesn’t cotton diverted from landfills . allow for physical distancing . Pickup service was still available direct through Second Chance Recycling in Second Chance is able to recover over 90 percent of the materials in mattresses . The steel springs Minneapolis in the eastern part of the county . can be made into new steel products, foam is 2020 results recycled into new foam products such as carpet padding, wood is used as animal bedding, and • Collected 340 mattress and springs from cotton is recycled into a filtration media such as apartments and condos and over 1,350 from oil filters for large equipment . single-family homes in Hennepin County . • Collected 1,200 mattresses and box springs from residents at the Brooklyn Park Transfer Station Paint prior to due to the COVID-19 pandemic . Paint is one of the most common materials brought After reopening, mattresses were not collected to the Hennepin County drop-off facilities or due to safety concerns . collection events for recycling .

2020 results • Collected nearly 1 .7 million pounds of paint at county drop-off facilities and events . • Promoted availability of paint disposal at 40 independent sites that partner with PaintCare, including hardware stores and paint stores . These independent sites collected 821,543 pounds of paint . • Received $634,900 from PaintCare for costs related to paint disposal . 2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT | 33 Progress on implementing master plan strategies

Waste delivered to HERC is processed close to where Recovering resources from it is produced, minimizing the transportation of waste the trash and associated truck emissions .

Suburban 9%

Where waste delivered to

HERC comes Minneapolis residential from and commercial 91%

The county expects waste-to-energy to decline in importance as waste prevention, reuse, recycling and Despite the focus on diverting materials from the composting become more widely adopted . There is trash through waste reduction, reuse, recycling, still a lot of trash created by residents and business, and organics recycling, residents and businesses and we need to manage it responsibly . HERC makes put almost 719,000 tons of stuff in the trash in environmental sense until we have successfully 2020 . This amounts to more than 1,100 pounds per diverted most organic materials (food waste, paper person . There are two options for managing waste and wood) from the trash . Until then, HERC operates that remains after recycling: burning it to recover with stringent safety standards and meets all air resources or burying it in a landfill . permit requirements . Processing waste to generate energy is environmentally preferable to landfilling, and climate 2020 results experts recognize waste-to-energy’s potential as a • Recovered more than 15,688 tons of metal for transitional solution because it: recycling . • Reduces methane emissions by keeping waste • Met state law to process trash before landfilling out of landfills . with 329,300 tons of trash delivered to HERC . • Recovers metal – more than twice the • Cleaned and treated air emissions at HERC to amount of metal collected in city curbside remain well below MPCA permitted levels . programs is recovered and recycling from the waste stream at HERC every year . Recycling steel HERC emissions as a percent of MPCA permit limit requires 60% less energy than producing steel 10 year average 2020 100%

from iron ore . 90% • Creates baseload electricity and steam that might 80% 70%

otherwise be sourced from coal or gas-fired 60% power plants . HERC produces enough electricity 50% 40%

to power 25,000 homes and provides steam to 30% the downtown Minneapolis district energy system 20% 10%

and Target Field . 0%

CO Lead NOx SO2 Cadmium Mercury

Dioxins FuransHydrocarbons Hydrogen Chloride Particulate (Total) 34 | 2020 RECYCLING PROGRESS REPORT

Hennepin County Environment and Energy hennepin.us/solidwasteplanning [email protected] 612-348-3777