Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy (R&E) is continually expanding its efforts to minimize waste generated in the community, while recovering value from waste that arrives at the R&E Center. Through R&E, the counties are increasing investments in waste reduction, reuse and recycling. Examples include:
With a focus on recovering value from waste and opportunities presented by new technology, the counties’ plans also include upgrading the Recycling & Energy Center:
When Ramsey and Washington counties were considering purchase of the Recycling & Energy Center, they focused on how the facility could best serve as part of an effective solid waste management system well into the future. In doing so, they adopted the following guiding principles for design of the waste and recycling system:
Considerable research and evaluation has shaped the development of the R&E waste management system:
1/2014 – Technology Comparative Analysis
4/2014 – Follow-up on Technology Siting and Permitting Analysis
9/2014 – Waste Composition Report
9/2014 – Analysis of Mixed Waste Processing at the Newport Resource Recovery Facility (appendices here)
12/2014 – Peer Review of Meeting a 75% Recycling Goal by 2030
2/2015 – Environmental Analysis Report
2/2015 – Financial Analysis Report
2/2015 – Risk Analysis Report
4/2015 – Report: System Changes to Achieve the Scope for Resource Management
4/2015 – Anaerobic Digestion (AD) – Update on Technology Status
4/2015 – Mixed Waste Processing – Update on Technology Status
11/2015 – Assessment of the Processing Capacity and Capability of the Newport Facility
4/2016 – Options for Scope of Work for Alternative Technology at the Recycling & Energy Center (R&E Center)
12/2017 – Summary of 2016-2017 Seasonal Waste Characterization
6/2018 – Pre-Processing: End Market Analysis for Process Residue
6/2018 – Analysis for Recovery of Recyclable Commodities using Pre-Processing
11/2018 – Processing Alternatives Durable Compostable Bag (DCB) Technology
3/2019 – Risk Analysis Report
3/2019 – Financing of RE Center Improvements
3/2019 – Carted Organics Collection Costs
3/2019 – Peer Review of Preliminary Design for Processing Enhancements