Ash Utilization - Test Roadway Complete
The ash utilization test roadway—approximately a quarter mile in length—was completed in early October! Hundreds of tons of crushed recycled concrete and waste combustor ash from the Olmsted Waste-to-Energy Facility (OWEF) were mixed into a base course substitute for class 5 gravel (i.e. roadway foundation). The mixture was approximately 20% ash and 80% recycled concrete.
 Crews work to blend recycled concrete and ash; photo credit: Michael Cook
 A bulldozer levels the ash/concrete mixture to provide the foundation for the paved roadway; photo credit: Michael Cook
This project was decades in the making and could be the answer to expanding the life of the landfill indefinitely. Each year the OWEF generates approximately 30,000 tons of ash. Each mile of two-lane highway constructed with OWEF ash would reduce the amount landfilled by about 5%! The goal is to develop a repeatable set of production and construction specifications that could be used in future Olmsted County road construction projects.
 Asphalt is laid over the concrete and ash foundation; photo credit: Anthony Wittmer
America Recycles Day - Updated Recycling Cart Guide
Recycling is an easy way to conserve resources, prevent pollution, and reduce waste. Approximately 44% of the waste generated in Olmsted County is recycled. By comparison, this rate is slightly higher than the rest of non-metro MN counties (38%) and well above the national average of 32%!
Unfortunately, people often throw garbage in their recycling carts. Dirty diapers, food waste, and plastic bags are just some of the contaminants that can ruin entire loads of recyclable materials.
America Recycles Day was Tuesday, November 15th. As in past years, we collaborated with a variety of local organizations to teach residents what items should and should NOT go in a curbside recycling cart. Doing so will help ensure recycling efforts don’t go to waste!
3 easy ways to improve recycling
- Keep recyclables loose—do not bag them. This allows sorting facilities, known as materials recovery facilities (MRFs) to process recyclables. Garbage should be bagged.
- Review Olmsted County’s updated Curbside Recycling Cart Guide and share the information with friends/family.
- Literally anyone who throws things away (which is everyone) can benefit!
- Use the Waste Wizard! This one-stop information hub contains disposal instructions for over 500 items.
Leaves Pile Up at the Compost Site
It was another busy fall at the Olmsted County Compost Site. Despite the relatively early snowfall, the site received tens of thousands of visits! Leaves will be taken from the main pile and mixed with decomposing grass clippings from early fall for a desirable carbon/nitrogen ratio.
Finished compost is available on the north end of the site. There is no fee, however, donation boxes are available for residents who wish to support the Compost Site's operations.
 Residents back up to the leaf pile at the Olmsted County Compost Site; photo credit: Anthony Wittmer
Holiday Waste Reminders
Fatbergs Lodge in Community Sewer Pipes
Fats, oils and greases, also referred to as "FOG", come from items such as meat fats, lard, oil, shortening, butter, margarine, food scraps, baked goods, sauces, mayonnaise, and dairy products. This holiday season, do yourself and your community a favor by keeping FOG out of sinks and drains. Sewer workers dread this time of year when the problems of "fatbergs"—congealed FOG and sanitary wipes—worsen, leading to backups and costly repairs.
Here's how you can help. Dispose of fats, oils, and food grease by pouring them into non-recyclable containers and throwing them into the trash. Wipe greasy pans, pots and other dishes out with a paper towel before washing.
Furthermore, wipes clog pipes! Throw sanitary wipes in the trash even if their packaging says "flushable."
 "Fatberg" lodged in wastewater pipe in Austin, MN Wastewater Treatment Facility; photo credit: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Light Strands
Don't let burnt-out light strands sit around gathering dust. Bring them to the Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus to be recycled (year-round). They can also be brought to the Rochester Public Utilities Service Center through January 27, 2023. There is no disposal fee at either location.
Do NOT place light strands in your curbside recycling cart. They tangle sorting equipment at materials recovery facilities (MRFs).
 Old light strands; photo credit: Anthony Wittmer
Wrapping Paper
If it can't be reused, throw wrapping paper in your curbside garbage. The same goes for ribbons, bows, and tissue paper. The Recycling Center Plus also considers wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, and tissue paper to be garbage.
 Discarded wrapping paper; photo credit: © Can Stock Photo Inc, https://www.canstockphoto.com
Cardboard Boxes
Are cardboard boxes filling up your house? Remember to break them down so they fit INSIDE your curbside recycling cart.
- Don't leave boxes next to your recycling cart. The "mechanical arms" on recycling trucks are designed to grasp carts, not boxes.
- Snow and rain can damage a box's recyclable fibers.
- Placing TV boxes inside your recycling cart prevents any would-be burglars from knowing that your house recently upgraded TVs.
- Corrugated cardboard boxes can also be brought to the Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus. Please remove all Styrofoam and packing materials―throw these items in the garbage.
 Corrugated cardboard boxes piled at the Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus; photo credit: Anthony Wittmer
County Approves New Licensing Structure for Garbage Haulers
Recent changes to the Olmsted County Solid Waste Management Ordinance will:
- Provide a 4-tiered licensing system based on the types of waste hauled and services provided
- Include the addition of a licensing structure for persons providing collection and transportation of Bulky Items and solid waste as an adjunct secondary service to a primary service of providing labor or general site cleanup services.
- Increase residential and commercial garbage hauler choices by increasing the number of hauling licenses.
Since no property tax dollars are used to fund the Olmsted County integrated solid waste management programs, the County Board also approved a $1.00/ton tipping increase to the amount paid to dispose of waste at the Olmsted Waste-to-Energy Facility and Kalmar Landfill. This money will be used to cover the additional costs required to administer the changes and provide additional educational resources to the haulers. The estimated net result of the County approved changes to the homeowner will be approximately $1.00 per year on the average garbage bill. The county hasn’t increased the fees charged to licensed haulers since 2013.
Applications for Olmsted County hauling licenses are currently being taken through the Olmsted County Website.
 A garbage truck stops at the OWEF Scale House to weigh in; photo credit: Nick Ryan
Disposal Discussion - Aluminum Pie Pans and Trays
Recycling Reminder: CLEAN aluminum pie plates and aluminum trays are acceptable in curbside recycling carts. However, aluminum pie plates/trays that are covered with stuck-on food waste should be thrown in the garbage.
 Aluminum pie pan; photo credit: Anthony Wittmer
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