ICA continues to practice environmental stewardship by minimizing trash and diverting a majority of waste materials into recycling. Last year alone, ICA separated over 100,000 pounds of recyclable materials from trash. That includes roughly 45,000 pounds of organics (spoiled or damaged foods), about 50,000 pounds of cardboard boxes and over 10,000 pounds of other recyclable packaging such as plastics, metals, paper and glass.
By diverting 105,000 pounds of recyclables from 137,000 pounds of total disposables, ICA achieved a “recycling capture rate” of 76%. By comparison, Hennepin County’s recycling capture rate is 49% and the State of Minnesota is 46%.
As a social service organization, we consider it our responsibility to properly manage the high volume of disposable materials that come to us. It takes a team effort to minimize both waste and environmental impact.
Additionally, our recyclables are processed locally! Our organic waste ends up at the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) Organics Recycling Facility (ORF), one of only two commercial composting facilities in the Twin Cities.
Upon arrival, it gets mixed with yard waste, such as leaves and sticks. After achieving the right nitrogen and carbon levels, the mixture is composted in an industrial process that yields nutrient rich soil amendments used to fertilize crops, lawns and gardens. The resulting fertilizer is available for retail purchase, priced at $5.50 per bag. Visit www.smscorf.com to learn more.
Meanwhile, our mixed recyclables are taken to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Minneapolis, which separates the items to be sold as raw materials to U.S. manufacturers.
We also collect plastic bags and pallet wrap for recycling in a homogenous waste stream, since stretchy plastics are not allowed in mixed recycling.
To help do your part at home, try weighing all of your outgoing trash and recycling for a week to determine your recycling capture rate!