The R&E Center

Touring the R&E Center

All trash generated by individuals and businesses in Ramsey and Washington counties is delivered to the R&E Center, where waste is processed to recover recyclables and make fuel for electricity production. Tours highlight how the facility works and how waste is managed in the East Metro as well as how to better reduce, reuse and recycle. Visit our ‘About the R&E Center’ page for more information.

General Information
  • Tours are free.
  • Group tours are available to groups of five or more, and to individuals or smaller groups through a Community Tour (see request forms below).
  • Language interpreters are available upon request.
  • With limited tour capacity, priority is given to groups based in Ramsey or Washington counties.
Facility Information and Tour Program
  • The R&E Center processes trash. Recyclables go to a different facility depending on your hauler. Recyclables are recovered in our operations, but this is not a materials recovery facility (the term for a recycling facility). Contact your hauler if you are interested in seeing where your recyclables go.
  • The tour typically includes a presentation, a participatory activity and observation of certain areas of the facility. Safety is the priority at our facility so only certain areas are accessible for visitors.
  • Preview the tour content and walking route.
Transportation and Safety
  • Confirmed visitors will receive an email with Travel, Parking and Safety Information. Please review this information before arriving. There are multiple entrances and parking lots at the facility. 
  • Some groups may also be asked to complete a Safety and Liability Waiver during the tour.  
  • Transportation by school bus is eligible for reimbursement for K-12 groups.
Please read the group descriptions below and fill out the appropriate tour request.
Group Tour Request
  • Community members
  • Higher education
  • Youth organization
  • Religious/Faith-based organization
  • Industry organization
  • Governmental organization
  • Business/Professional
K-12 Tour Group Request
  • Public, private, charter and homeschool groups
  • 10:1 student to adult ratio required
  • Bussing reimbursement available for Ramsey and Washington County schools
  • Maximum 27 students
Community Tours
  • Pre-scheduled tours
  • Join a community tour if you are an individual or a group of four or less
  • 20 spots are available for each tour
Food Scraps Pickup Program- Focused Tours
  • Pre-scheduled tours
  • Residents who are participating in the Food Scraps Pickup Program
  • Residents who are not yet participating, but want to take a tour that focuses primarily on how the program works
Internal Group Tour Request
  • R&E, Ramsey or Washington County staff
Guided Virtual Tour
  • Pre-scheduled tours 
  • Residents who want to learn more about Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy, but aren’t able or interested in joining an in-person tour 
  • Virtual tours are hosted using the online Microsoft Teams platform. You can join from your browser – no account needed.  

Virtual Tour

Interested in taking a peek inside the Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Center? There are a few different ways to explore our facility from anywhere.  

  1. Self-guided Virtual Tour
  2. On-demand Guided Virtual Tour
    • The guided virtual tour is a pre-recorded tour that includes almost everything you’d see and do if you were to join for an in-person tour. The guided tour is approximately 27 minutes.
    • Take the guided virtual tour.
  3. Live Guided Virtual Tour
    • Check out the “Guided Virtual Tour” option shown in the section above.

Off-site Presentations

Staff are also available to present at community meetings about what happens at the R&E Center. Contact us at tours@recyclingandenergy.org to schedule.