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R&E Center Hauler Newsletter - Summer 2023
August 9, 2023
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⚠️ Infectious Waste
Ramsey and Washington counties were notified of several incidents where incoming commercial waste contained what appeared to be improperly disposed of infectious waste.
Infectious waste is potentially dangerous to the health and safety of your drivers and Recycling & Energy Center employees. In particular, sharps (like needles, lancets and syringes), canisters, vials and tubing that contain bodily fluids or are soaked in blood provide health risks to those who operate and maintain equipment.
Infectious waste should NOT be disposed of in the regular trash. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s fact sheet on infectious waste management offers guidance on how to handle infectious waste. When loads containing these items are received at the R&E Center, we must reject them. In these situations, transportation and fees for proper disposal will be the responsibility of the hauler.
R&E will also continue outreach efforts directly with major healthcare providers in the region as well as through the Ramsey and Washington County solid & hazardous waste regulatory programs.
2024 Tipping Fee
The 2024 tipping fee at the R&E Center will be $121 per ton. A formal notice will be sent by mail in the coming weeks.
The 2024 tipping fee increase covers increased R&E Center operating expenses including labor, transportation of materials, insurance, as well as the capital investments being made at the R&E Center. Capital investments support the separation of food scraps so that they can be composted, as well as the recovery of additional recyclables from the trash.
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Food Scraps Pickup Program Update
The food scraps pickup program pilot is underway, with 2,200 eligible households in Newport, Cottage Grove, North Saint Paul and Maplewood. We’ve seen a lot of interest in this program from our pilot residents as well as residents to whom the program will be available in the future. Our current program participation rate is nearly 11%, which meets our requirements to thoroughly evaluate the program before expansion this fall.
We appreciate your continued involvement with the pilot and launch of the food scraps pickup program – Thank you!
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Food Scraps Pickup Program Celebration Event
On Monday, July 17, 2023, R&E held an event with R&E Board members and state and local officials to celebrate the completion of the new recyclable recovery line and food scrap bag sortation building, which will support the recovery of enough recyclables and food scraps to fill Allianz Field three times annually.
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 R&E Board Commissioners, local and state officials on the food scrap bag building tipping floor
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 Event attendees on tour of the food scrap bag building
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 Washington County Commissioner Clasen giving a tour to attendees
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Read the full press release about the event here. |
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