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Have you heard of R&E, that is, the Ramsey/Washington Recycling and Energy Center? Last Friday, April 12th, we heard from two R&E representatives on waste management in the Ramsey County East Metro and the new Food Scraps Pickup Program!
Shannon Conk, Community Engagement and Outreach Coordinator at R&E, gave an overview of R&E, located in Newport, MN. R&E's mission is in enhancing public health and the environment by creating value from waste through partnership. All the trash in Ramsey and Washington county is delivered here. Trash comprises of 33% organics, 21% other (furniture, clothing, electronics, etc.) 20% paper, 16% plastic, 5% metals, 3% C&D, and 2% glass.
Benefits of R&E include creating jobs, supporting the local economy, reducing greenhouse gases from landfilling, increasing recycling, and generating electricity. A few of the center enhancements include the Food Scraps Pickup Program, Recyclables Recovery System, odor mitigation system installment (2018), and more.
Gabe Reynolds, Food Scraps Pickup Program Coordinator, gave insights into the piloted program and what Ramsey County residents can expect. The Program Pilot began in April 2023 and includes 2,200 eligible households in four cities. The Pilot hit its 10% participation goal in six months. The soonest the program will be available to the rest of Ramsey and Washington is 18 months.
Food scraps can be processed in these easy steps:
- Create an account and order bags, shipped to you at no cost.
- Collect your food scraps in bags.
- When bag is full, place inside trash cart or dumpster.
- Bag is collected and then mechanically separated from trash at R&E.
Members are encouraged to take a tour at R&E to learn more about the facility and programs! Contact Shannon or Gabe for more info.
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