Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus (OCRC+) - Comprehensive Analysis Report

Summary

Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus (OCRC+) is an essential component of Olmsted County's comprehensive Integrated Solid Waste Management System (ISWMS) in southeastern Minnesota. The county is dedicated to safeguarding its community and environment through a holistic approach to waste management, prioritizing waste avoidance, reduction, reuse, recycling, and recovery, with safe disposal as a last resort.

The core mission and vision emphasize achieving a sustainable future by maximizing resource recovery, protecting the environment, and enhancing community well-being. The OCRC+ plays a crucial role as a key facility for residents and businesses who self-haul their waste and recyclables, ensuring proper handling and diversion from landfills. Olmsted County's comprehensive system helps manage approximately 612,000 pounds of trash generated daily, with a 2021 recycling rate of 44 percent.

1. Strategic Focus & Objectives

Olmsted County's strategic focus within solid waste management, encompassing the OCRC+, is to build a sustainable future by optimizing resource recovery, protecting the environment, and improving community health.

Core Objectives

Increase recycling rates: A primary goal is to enhance the amount of material recycled across the county.

Reduce waste volume sent to landfills: Efforts are concentrated on diverting waste from landfills, utilizing other methods like waste-to-energy conversion.

Convert waste into energy: The Waste-to-Energy Facility (OWEF) plays a key role in generating energy from non-recyclable waste.

Community Education and Engagement: Implementing a multi-faceted approach that includes community education, waste and toxicity reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, and resource recovery.

Specialization Areas

Olmsted County specializes in an integrated approach to waste management, providing a full spectrum of services from hazardous waste disposal to recycling and waste-to-energy conversion. The OCRC+ specifically caters to individuals and businesses who self-haul their waste and recyclables, accepting a broad range of materials, some free of charge and others for a fee. A significant strategic initiative is the development of a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) to further enhance sorting and recovery of recyclables and improve the efficiency of the Waste-to-Energy Facility (OWEF).

Target Markets

The primary target markets are the residents and businesses of Olmsted County, particularly those who choose to self-haul their waste and recyclables directly to county facilities. The county's market positioning strategy ensures that these entities have access to comprehensive and environmentally responsible waste management solutions, promoting reuse and recycling by having citizens pay for the waste they dispose of.

2. Financial Overview

Olmsted County's integrated solid waste management system, including the OCRC+, operates on a self-sustaining financial model.

Funding History

The system is funded entirely by user fees, the sale of energy from the Waste-to-Energy Facility (OWEF), and the sale of recyclable materials. This model explicitly ensures that no property taxes are used for these facilities or are planned for future funding, thereby incentivizing waste abatement and recycling efforts.

Detailed Breakdown of Recent Funding Rounds

May 22, 2023: The Minnesota legislature approved $23 million in state capital investment for multiple projects in Olmsted County. Specifically, $10 million was allocated towards the construction of a new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). Olmsted County had initially requested $16,250,000, representing 50% of the cost to build the MRF.

2023: The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners allotted $5 million in reserves from federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to the Olmsted Soil and Water Conservation District for groundwater protection and soil health initiatives.

2023: Transfers were made from the Internal Service Fund to the Waste Management Fund for recycling center gates ($70,606) and network rewiring at the OWEF ($27,000).

January 1, 2023: The per-ton garbage disposal fee at the OWEF and Kalmar Landfill increased by $1.00 to cover administrative costs and provide additional educational resources, marking the first increase since 2013.

Impact on company growth: Recycling operations have generated over $3,175,000 in commodity sales, demonstrating the financial viability and self-sustaining nature of these programs. The funding for the MRF is crucial for increasing recycling rates and extending the life of the OWEF.

3. Product Pipeline

Olmsted County is actively developing and expanding its waste management infrastructure and programs.

Key Products/Services

Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)

Description: A new 45,000 square-foot facility (originally planned at 30,000 sq ft, later updated to 49,000 sq ft) designed to be attached to the existing Olmsted Waste-to-Energy Facility (OWEF). It will enhance the current solid waste management system and provide local businesses with access to a southeastern Minnesota MRF.

Development Stage: Permitting and pre-design commenced in 2023 and are anticipated to conclude by April 2025. Formal design for construction documents will follow.

Expected Timeline: Construction is projected to begin in spring 2026, with anticipated completion in fall 2027.

Key Features and Benefits: The MRF will operate in two modes: Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) mode, removing materials like glass and metals unsuitable for OWEF fuel, and Single-Stream Recycling mode, for sorting co-mingled recyclables currently transported to the Twin Cities. Benefits include increasing recyclable material recovery, improving OWEF reliability, reducing operational costs, delaying the need for costly OWEF expansion, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating long-distance transport.

Olmsted County Food Scrap Compost Pilot

Description: An initiative for composting food scraps.

Development Stage: Successfully operated for five months starting in June 2024.

Expected Timeline: Due to strong participant interest, the program has been extended through December 31, 2025.

Waste Composition Study

Description: A study conducted every five years to understand changes in waste streams.

Development Stage: The most recent study was conducted in 2024, revealing organics as the most prominent material (50%), followed by plastics (21%) and paper (19%).

Expanded Plastic Container Acceptance at OCRC+

Description: The Recycling Center Plus has expanded its acceptance of plastic containers to include #1, #2, and #5 plastic containers, encompassing "non-necked" varieties such as berry and baked-goods containers, which were previously restricted.

4. Technology & Innovation

Olmsted County's waste management system relies on an integrated approach, utilizing various facilities and technologies for effective waste management.

Technology Stack

Integrated Solid Waste Management System (ISWMS): This holistic framework includes the Hazardous Waste Facility (OCHW), Recycling Center Plus (OCRC+), Compost Site, Waste-to-Energy Facility (OWEF), and Kalmar Landfill.

Waste-to-Energy Facility (OWEF): Operational since 1987, the OWEF converts non-recyclable waste into steam and electricity, supplying energy to over 20 county public buildings and reducing landfill volume by approximately 90%. The facility has two 100-ton-per-day incinerator-boiler units commissioned in 1987 and a third 200-ton-per-day unit commissioned in 2010.

Materials Recovery Facility (MRF): The upcoming MRF will integrate advanced sorting capabilities, combining human operators and machines to sort single-stream recyclables and extract non-combustible materials from the waste stream. This will significantly increase recycling rates and OWEF efficiency. The county is also evaluating technology to separate organic waste for potential use in a regional private anaerobic co-digester.

Waste Wizard: An online tool on the county's website that assists residents in determining proper disposal methods for household items, aiming to mitigate "wish-cycling" and reduce recycling stream contamination.

Split-Body Trucks: Waste haulers in the county often use these trucks, which compartmentalize garbage and recyclables in a single vehicle, optimizing collection and reducing the need for multiple passes.

Ash Utilization: The county plans to promote and utilize waste combustor ash from the OWEF in road construction across the county and region, developing and refining specifications for an ash-amended road base aggregate.

Materials Rescue Program: An initiative launched in January 2023, where OCRC+ staff rescue usable household items designated for disposal. These items are then transported and made available for social workers to distribute to clients and newly housed residents.

5. Leadership & Management

The Olmsted County Environmental Resources Department oversees the operations of the Recycling Center Plus, along with Hazardous Waste, Yard Waste Composting, Waste-to-Energy, and landfill activities.

Executive Team

Cathy Hall:

Position: Director of Environmental Resources

Professional Background: Assumed this role on March 10, 2025. She brings over 11 years of experience as Solid Waste Director for Pitkin County in Aspen, Colorado. Her background also includes extensive experience in the solid waste consulting industry in Ohio and Maryland, and involvement with the Solid Waste Association of North America.

Key Contributions to the Company: Hall is instrumental in advancing major environmental initiatives, such as the construction of the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).

Recent Leadership Changes

Cathy Hall was appointed Director of Environmental Resources, beginning her service on March 10, 2025. She succeeded Tony Hill, who was previously noted as the Director of Environmental Resources in December 2022.

6. Talent and Growth Indicators

Olmsted County prioritizes a supportive and growth-oriented work environment for its employees.

Hiring Trends and Workforce

Olmsted County is recognized as an inclusive employer that values diversity, offering competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for employee growth and development. The county has consistently been acknowledged by Workforce Development, Inc. (WDI) as one of the best places to work in Southeast Minnesota, ranking among the top 15 organizations and one of the top five in the Large Employer category for three consecutive years.

Current job opportunities listed on Olmsted County's careers page span various sectors. These include roles like Child Support Specialist, Election Support Aide-On-Call, Intern - Information Technology Solutions (ITS), Seasonal Soil and Water Conservation Worker, and Transportation Specialist / Senior Transportation Specialist - Construction. Internal job opportunities are also available, such as Billing Compliance Specialist 1 - Community Corrections, Building & Grounds Technician, and Lead Public Health Nurse. The variety of roles indicates a broad demand for talent across county functions.

Company Growth Trajectory Indicators

The county offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, life, vision, and disability insurance, health care and dependent care spending accounts, paid time off, 11 paid holidays, and tuition reimbursement of up to $3,000 per year. Career development is fostered through programs like "Leadership 101" and an "Ambassador Program," designed to cultivate leadership skills, strengthen cross-functional relationships, and deepen understanding of the county's overall mission. Olmsted County actively participates in community and college career fairs, reflecting its ongoing recruitment efforts and commitment to attracting a skilled workforce.

7. Social Media Presence and Engagement

Olmsted County maintains a robust online presence to inform and engage residents on waste management and recycling initiatives.

Digital Footprint

Social Media Activity: The Environmental Resources Department operates a Facebook page to disseminate information, including recycling guidelines and updates.

Brand Messaging and Positioning: The county's brand messaging emphasizes proper disposal methods, environmental protection, and community responsibility, encapsulated by its motto: “There’s a proper place for your waste in Olmsted County.”

Community Engagement Strategies:

Website Resources: The county's website provides detailed information for self-haulers to the Recycling Center Plus, including lists of acceptable items.

"Waste Wizard" Online Tool: An interactive tool available on the county's website helps residents quickly determine how to recycle or dispose of specific items, combating "wish-cycling" and reducing contamination.

Newsletters: The "Environmental Resources Newsletter," distributed via GovDelivery, provides updates on recycling expansions, leadership changes, and volunteer activities.

Notable Campaigns or Content: The county participates in and promotes community clean-up efforts like the "Litter Bit Better" event.

8. Recognition and Awards

Olmsted County has received recognition for its workplace culture.

Industry Recognition

The county has been consistently recognized by Workforce Development, Inc. (WDI) as one of the best places to work in Southeast Minnesota. It has ranked among the top 15 organizations overall and one of the top five in the Large Employer category for three consecutive years.

9. Competitive Analysis

In the context of Olmsted County, a public service entity, traditional "competitors" are not applicable. Instead, the system interacts with an "open market" for waste collection services.

Major Competitors

Private Waste Haulers: These companies provide curbside collection services for garbage and recyclables from homes and businesses within the county.

Company Overview: Private companies licensed to operate in Olmsted County.

Focus Areas: Collection and transportation of waste and recyclables.

Notable Achievements: Community partners in initiatives such as the "Litter Bit Better" event.

Competitive Positioning: These haulers collect materials that are then transported to private material recovery facilities, typically outside the southeastern Minnesota region.

Private Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs): Currently, recyclables collected by private haulers in Olmsted County are transported to private MRFs, primarily located near the Twin Cities, for sorting and preparation for resale.

Company Overview: Commercial facilities that receive, separate, and prepare recycled materials for end markets.

Focus Areas: Advanced sorting and processing of co-mingled recyclables.

Technological Capabilities: Utilize various sorting technologies, which can include both manual and automated systems.

Competitive Positioning: The upcoming Olmsted County MRF aims to localize this sorting capacity, thereby reducing reliance on external private MRFs and the associated transportation costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

10. Market Analysis

The solid waste management market in Olmsted County is characterized by significant waste generation and a commitment to sustainable practices.

Market Overview

Olmsted County residents generate approximately 6.2 pounds of solid waste per person per day based on 2021 data, totaling an estimated 612,000 pounds daily across the county. The most recent 2024 waste composition study indicated that organics comprise 50% of the waste stream, followed by plastics at 21%, and paper at 19%.

Growth Potential

The county's recycling rate stood at 44 percent in 2021, which is notably higher than the U.S. average of 32 percent. The ongoing development of a local Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) presents a significant growth opportunity by increasing local recycling capacity and reducing the environmental footprint of waste processing. There's also a growing global market for construction and demolition (C&D) waste recycling, projected to reach USD 2392977.81 million by 2035 with a CAGR of 22.0%, aligning with the county's plans to propose options for diverting these materials from landfills.

Key Market Trends

Integrated Public System: Olmsted County manages a comprehensive solid waste management system funded by user fees and the sale of energy and materials, rather than property taxes.

Open Market for Collection: Waste collection services are provided by private haulers operating in an open market.

Growing Emphasis on Local Processing: The construction of the new MRF signals a strategic shift towards local processing of recyclables, which are currently transported out of the region.

Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Integration: The Olmsted Waste-to-Energy Facility (OWEF) continues to be an integral part of the system, converting non-recyclable waste into energy.

Regulatory Framework: Minnesota state statutes mandate counties to develop and implement recycling programs to meet state goals, driving investments and initiatives like the MRF.

Construction and Demolition (C&D) Waste Diversion: Increased focus on diverting C&D waste from landfills, supported by rising infrastructure development and mandatory waste diversion regulations (over 63% of