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Article I: Waste-to-Energy Career Spotlight: Tyrel Kennedy
Article II: Kalmar Landfill Finishes Garbage Reclamation
Article III: Celebrating Another Year of Outreach and Education
Article IV: Don't Fall For These Recycling Myths
Article V: Disposal Discussion: Holiday Waste
 Background
The Olmsted Waste-to-Energy Facility (OWEF) employs dozens of people in a multitude of roles. Whether it's in operations, maintenance, or instrument and control, the opportunity exists for employees to climb the facility ladder.
Tyrel Kennedy has done just that. His career path began in 2008 when he enrolled in Rochester Community College's Building Utilities Mechanic (BUM) Program. An internship in his second year introduced him to waste-to-energy technology.
In 2010, he graduated from the RCTC BUM Program with a certificate and a MN 2A Boiler License. After working a couple different jobs over the next two years, he was hired on at the OWEF as System Operator 1.
Climbing the Ladder
November 2012 - Tyrel began his career at the OWEF as System Operator 1.
April 2013 – Five months after starting at the OWEF, he completed System Operator 1 sign-offs and was promoted to a System Operator 2.
June 2015 - As a System Operator 2 holding a MN 1A Boiler License, he was promoted to a Supervising System Operator.
July 2016 - Tyrel obtained a MN Chief A Boiler License.
September 2016 - He enrolled in the Supervisory Management Program at Riverland Community College—the County reimburses a portion of tuition upon successful completion of a course.
July 2018 - He accepted a promotion as an OWEF Shift Supervisor. As a Shift Supervisor, Tyrel oversees and participates in the coordination, maintenance, and operation of the facility to ensure the continued production of required energy and processing of waste.
December 2018 - Tyrel earned a certificate in Supervisory Management from Riverland Community College.
January 2019 - He will be enrolling back in RCTC. He needs 15 more credits to earn his Associate Degree.
Tyrel's hard work and continuing education have put him in control of his financial future and have allowed him to obtain a healthy work-life balance.
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 Aerial photo of the Olmsted Waste-to-Energy Facility; photo credit: Zach Wood
Reasons He Likes His Job
When asked what he liked most about his job, Tyrel had plenty to say:
- Money
- The OWEF is an interesting place to work, it keeps me mentally involved and requires a degree of physical activity.
- I enjoy working with the guys that work here, not just my crew, but all crews, maintenance, and management.
- I've always liked figuring systems out, diagnosing what's wrong, and finding solutions.
- I've always been one to push further and climb the ladder. I'm finding that there are opportunities here for me to climb higher if I'm willing to work for it.
- Job security
Current Job Openings
There are currently several job openings at the OWEF. If you're looking for a job that offers excellent pay, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities to advance, visit the "Job Opportunities" page for more information.
 Tyrel Kennedy at the Shift Supervisor station in the Control Room at the OWEF; photo credit: Anthony Wittmer.
 In 2012, Olmsted County began processing and reclaiming Municipal Solid Waste (MSW, aka garbage) from the Olmsted County Kalmar Landfill. Following completion of the Unit 3 Expansion Project at the Olmsted Waste-to-Energy Facility (OWEF), the OWEF had approximately 100 tons per day of extra capacity.
With the desire to reduce the amount of landfilled waste, the County began digging up and processing MSW for the OWEF and reclaiming air space in the landfill. A shredder and front-end loader were purchased as part of this project to reduce the size of the non-processible and reclaimed waste. In addition, the shredded waste was sent through a trommel screen to remove any dirt before being sent to the OWEF. Trommeling out the dirt allowed the OWEF to burn the waste more efficiently and allowed the landfill to reuse the dirt for future operations.
MSW reclamation concluded in 2018. This project accomplished several of the County's waste management goals.
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The overall amount of waste (≈ 34,300 tons) disposed was reduced, saving valuable landfill space (≈ 70,000 cubic yards).
- A landfill expansion project, costing millions of dollars, has been deferred approximately twenty years.
- Greenhouse gasses generated from decomposing MSW were reduced.
- MSW reclamation has allowed Olmsted County to be a "less-than-zero" landfill community five out of that last seven years.
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Good decisions are based on knowledge. Our goal is to teach Olmsted County residents how to make the most of our resources through an understanding of how and why our Integrated Solid Waste Management System provides a proper place for waste. Effective waste education helps all of us to become better stewards of our environment.
In 2018, nearly 3,500 people (many were students) learned about solid waste management by touring through our facilities, stopping by our booth at community events (e.g., Earth Fest, Arbor Day Celebration, Rochesterfest, County Fair), and participating in a garbage/recycling presentations Residents can request a speaker and review our tour guidelines online.
Additionally, over 26,000 searches were logged in the Waste Wizard—our online disposal guide—and our solid waste web pages received over 61,000 page visits.
Visit our website to learn more about garbage and recycling in Olmsted County.
Do you need a New Year's resolution that you can stick with? Resolve to recycle right and often! Don't get caught falling for these recycling myths in the new year.
Myth:
Recyclables should be bagged.
Fact:
Leave your recycling loose and free! Plastic bags should NOT be thrown in a curbside recycling bin. The bags get tangled in the sorting equipment at the facilities that process recyclables.
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Myth:
Pizza boxes are not recyclable.
Fact:
Pizza boxes can be recycled if they have not been soiled by grease/food scraps.
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Myth:
Recycling uses more energy than making something new.
Fact(s):
Compared to manufacturing goods from raw materials, recycling:
Aluminum cans = 95% energy savings
Tin/steel cans = 60-74% energy savings
Paper = 40% energy savings
Plastic = 33% energy savings
Glass = 30% energy savings
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Myth:
Caps must be removed from plastic bottles before recycling.
Fact:
It depends on whether you self-haul your recyclables to the Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus (OCRC) or hire a commercial hauler.
Plastic bottles brought to the OCRC should have their caps removed. This helps the bottles compact into bales for shipping.
If a commercial hauler collects your recyclables, leave the cap on. Doing so will help the bottles keep their three-dimensional shape, which makes for easier sorting at a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).
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 Myth:
If something has the recycling arrows on it, it's recyclable.
Fact:
The triangular arrows on a plastic container refer to the type of resin found in the container, not how recyclable it is. The Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus only accepts plastics bottles #1 (e.g., pop bottles and water bottles) and #2 (e.g., milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles) as markets for these items are strong. Most curbside haulers can recycle #5 plastics (e.g., yogurt cups and margarine tubs) in addition to #1s and #2s.
Plastic items marked with a #3, #4, #6, and #7 are very difficult to market and are often considered trash.
A hauler might say they accept plastics #1 - #7, however, that doesn't mean an item like a foam cup (marked with a #6) will actually get recycled. This well-intentioned acceptance policy was implemented to make recycling easier even if it meant accepting plastics that are actually garbage. Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) now struggle with plastic contamination as a result.
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Christmas Trees
- Through March, Christmas trees can be dropped off at the Olmsted County Compost Site any day of the week during daylight hours.
- There is no disposal fee.
- Remember to remove the stand, ornaments, and lights.
- Wreaths, swags, boughs, and evergreen decorations should be placed in a bag and thrown in your garbage to prevent the spread of an invasive species known as the Elongate Hemlock Scale—a pest that feeds on conifer trees. Do not compost.
Wrapping Paper
- Recycling wrapping paper can be a bit complicated. It depends on what type it is and who is collecting it. The Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus does not accept wrapping paper as recyclable.
- Plain printed paper can be recycled in some curbside collection carts but you'll want to check with your specific hauler to be sure.
- Paper that appears metallic, contains glitter, foil, or fabric should be thrown in the trash.
- Bows and ribbons are not recyclable.
Holiday Lights
Large Cardboard Boxes
- If Santa brought you that big screen TV, make sure to place its cardboard box (or any other large cardboard box) INSIDE your recycling cart.
- The "mechanical arms" on recycling trucks are designed to grasp carts, not boxes.
- Snow and rain can damage the box's recyclable fibers.
- Placing your TV box inside your recycling cart prevents any would-be burglars from knowing that your house recently upgraded TVs.
- Cardboard boxes can also be brought to the Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus for free.
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