Teamwork and AED Helps Customer at Recycling Center Plus
On Saturday, May 6, 2023, Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus customer Ryan Zimmer collapsed at the facility. Employees on shift quickly went into action to help the customer.
“It was a routine day at the recycling center when an employee found an unresponsive customer on the ground next to their vehicle,” said Waste Abatement Supervisor Khalid Alasadi. “We called 9-1-1 and the dispatch operator was able to give our team directions on how to handle the situation.”
While first responders made their way to the recycling center, dispatch advised employees to grab the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) located inside the building and use it on Zimmer.
 Waste Abatement Supervisor Khalid Alasadi picks up the AED machine at the Recycling Center Plus.
“The AED machine gave us audio and visual guidance on how to use it. I’ll never forget the machine telling us it was going to deliver a shock,” said Alasadi. “We were hopeful we were doing everything we could to save Ryan’s life.”
The AED then instructed employees to begin chest compressions. A minute later, first responders arrived and were able to take Zimmer to the hospital.
Zimmer is on the road to recovery and was able to stop by the recycling center to thank the employees who helped him.
“Before I collapsed, I remembered feeling light-headed and a little overheated,” said Zimmer. “When I came to, I was told my heart had stopped.”
Zimmer added, “I can’t thank the employees enough for saving my life. It can’t be easy to lay your hands on someone you don’t know, and I really appreciate them for doing what was necessary and having an accessible AED.”
“I appreciate the first responders and county employees for their teamwork and what they did to help Ryan that day,” said Alasadi.
 Customer Ryan Zimmer stands between the employees who helped him. From left to right: Bruce Kieffer, Steve Tupper, Ryan Zimmer, Khalid Alasadi, and Pete McIntire
Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) Update
Late Tuesday, May 22, 2023, the Minnesota legislature approved $23 million in state capital investment dollars to help fund the following Olmsted County initiatives:
- $10 million toward construction of a materials recovery facility (MRF).
- $8 million toward an exhibition center at Graham Park.
- $5 million toward an interchange at the intersection of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 44 and Trunk Highway (TH) 14.
“This is very exciting news for Olmsted County,” said Olmsted County Board of Commissioners Chair Gregg Wright. “We have been working to secure funding for these much-needed initiatives for some time. We are thrilled the Minnesota legislature saw the value in these three projects and how they will benefit Southeast Minnesota. We would also like to thank our local lawmakers for their continued advocacy for these projects.”
The objectives of the MRF are to remove recyclable and noncombustible materials from the waste stream to increase recycling and delay the need for expansion of the Olmsted Waste-to-Energy Facility (OWEF). The new MRF will expand upon Olmsted County’s current integrated solid waste management system by reclaiming materials and removing problematic items from the waste stream.
The new 30,000-square-foot MRF will be located on the south side of the OWEF which currently accepts waste from Olmsted and Dodge counties. The total cost of the project is $32.5 million.
More information about the project can be found on our website.
 A rendering of the proposed MRF connected to the Olmsted Waste-to-Energy Facility via RRT Design & Construction
Olmsted County Hosts Summer of Discovery
The “Summer of Discovery” is a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club in Rochester, MN and Olmsted County. It started due to an idea that Commissioner Wright had to engage with the schools and share information with local youth about the programs and services that Olmsted County provides, as well as the career opportunities at Olmsted County.
The program began in the summer of 2022 and is now in its second year. Participants learn about various departments including: Parks, Public Health, Sheriff’s Office and Adult Detention Center, Environmental Resources, Information Technology Services, the County Attorney’s Office, and County Administration & Boards. The program is five half-day sessions and the participants are mostly 9th-12th graders.
 Students in the Summer of Discovery program look out the window in the Control Room at the Olmsted Waste-to-Energy Facility; photo credit: Anthony Wittmer
The group recently toured the Olmsted Waste-to-Energy Facility, Recycling Center Plus, Hazardous Waste Facility, and Yard Waste Compost Site.
 Summer of Discovery students play a trivia game after their tour of Olmsted County Solid Waste Facilities; photo credit: Sharon Schriever
Battery Fires Continue to Plague Waste and Recycling Industry
Rechargeable batteries are everywhere. They're in electronics, toys, and even our toothbrushes. And while these batteries have benefited our lives in countless ways, the waste and recycling industry has been disproportionately affected by the fires they cause when disposed of incorrectly.
Lithium-ion batteries (LIB) can be particularly problematic. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
"A damaged or defective LIB may experience thermal runaway, a reaction in which the battery unexpectedly releases its energy and begins self-heating in a runaway reaction. This reaction can quickly produce enough heat to ignite materials near the battery, even if the battery itself does not ignite. Though other types of batteries can experience thermal runaway, LIBs are particularly prone to combustion because they store such large amounts of energy."
 It’s estimated that battery fires cost the waste and recycling industry over $1.2 BILLION annually! Dem-Con’s transfer station (pictured below) in Blaine, MN was a total loss after a cell phone battery ignited a pile of municipal solid waste (garbage) in 2018.
Residents can help prevent fires by bringing rechargeable batteries to the Olmsted County Hazardous Waste Facility (HWF) for FREE. Common rechargeable batteries include:
- lithium-ion (Li-ion)
- lithium polymer (LiPo)
- nickel-metal hydride (NiMH)
- nickel cadmium (NiCad)
- lead acid
NOTE: The HWF is not currently accepting lithium-based batteries that exceed 300 watt-hours (Wh). Please call 507-328-7070 with questions.
 Building remnants of DEM-CON's transfer station after a battery fire; photo courtesy of DEM-CON companies.
Come see us at the Olmsted County Fair!
The Olmsted County Free Fair runs July 24 - July 30. As in past years, the Environmental Resources Department will host an educational booth in the Conservation Building throughout the week.
Stop by to learn about the proper place for your waste in Olmsted County. The Conservation Building is located in the northeast corner of the fairgrounds at the intersection of 14th St SW and Fairgrounds Ave SE.
 Environmental Resources Department Fair Booth; photo credit: Anthony Wittmer
Conservation Building Events
Tuesday 6:00pm to 8:00pm in the Building: Olmsted County Park staff will bring native MN turtles and snakes for you to get up close and personal with.
Tuesday 6:30pm to 8:00pm in the Building: Olmsted County Environmental Resources will be there to answer all your Garbage & Recycling Questions
Wednesday 4:00pm – 8:00pm in the Building: Olmsted SWCD will be available to discuss how homeowners can incorporate native grasses and flowers into landscaping. Stop by and get a FREE Native Pollinator Seed Packet.
Thursday 2:00pm in the Building: Whitewater State Park Naturalist Sara Holger will present Snakes of the Blufflands.
Thursday 3:00pm – 7:00pm in the Building Free Nitrate Testing for Private Well Owners: To participate, collect a cup of water from your well in a clean plastic bag or glass. Your sample will be analyzed while you wait. Results will be provided to you within 15 minutes.
Thursday 6:00pm to 8:00pm in the Building: Olmsted County Park staff will bring native MN turtles and snakes for you to get up close and personal with.
Thursday 6:30pm - 8:00pm in the Building: Olmsted County Environmental Resources will be there to answer all your Garbage & Recycling Questions
Friday 1:00pm to 8:00pm in the Building Come learn about soil health with the Olmsted SWCD, walk through the soil health tunnel and check out ongoing soil health demonstrations.
Friday 2:00pm to 6:00pm Free Nitrate Testing for Private Well Owners: To participate, collect a cup of water from your well in a clean plastic bag or glass. Your sample will be analyzed while you wait. Results will be provided to you within 15 minutes.
Saturday 2:00pm – 7:30pm in the Building: Olmsted SWCD will be available to discuss how homeowners can incorporate native grasses and flowers into landscaping. Stop by and get a FREE Native Pollinator Seed Packet.
Saturday 10:00am to 2:00pm in the Building: Olmsted County Park staff will bring native MN turtles and snakes for you to get up close and personal with.
Olmsted County and Rochester Public Utilities Seeking Nominations for 2022-2023 Environmental Achievement Awards
Olmsted County and Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) are seeking nominations for the 2022 - 2023 Environmental Achievement Awards. The awards honor individuals, organizations, schools, and businesses that have made a significant environmental contribution over the past year in Olmsted County.
Award categories include climate change, conservation, education, energy, renewables, sustainable food production, water, and "other."
Since 1992, the awards have recognized the positive environmental impact of over 100 Olmsted County community members and groups.
Visit our website to download a nomination form. Completed nominations are due by Friday, October 6, 2023, to Anthony Wittmer—anthony.wittmer@olmstedcounty.gov.
Disposal Discussion - Pizza Boxes
Recycling Question: "There is a message on my pizza box that says I should put it in the recycling cart. Should I?"
Answer: It depends—but most likely, no. Most pizza boxes are contaminated with cheese/grease and should be thrown in the garbage. However, clean boxes (like the box on the right in the photo below) can be recycled in your curbside cart.
This takes a bit of judgment, and we recommend erring on the side of caution.
Note: the box on the right held a side order of cheese dip that came in its own container, so the box never came in contact with food.
 Pizza box comparison; photo credit: Anthony Wittmer
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