Since the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community first opened their Organics Recycling Facility (ORF) in 2011, the team has diligently worked to improve the efficiency and quality of the facility’s contributions to sustainability. Each year the ORF redirects an average of 70,000 tons of organic material away from landfills. This number…
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When most people hear “compost” the first thing that comes to mind might be old tree stumps or banana peels. However, you may be surprised by the number of things around your house that can be turned into nutrient-rich compost blends for gardening and landscaping, both indoors and outdoors. So,…
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Similar to when we shop for fresh foods at the market, we also want to know that the produce from our gardens and plants in our yards grow from top-quality soil and soil amendments such as compost. For the compost industry, the United States Composting Council (USCC) sets the standards…
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Celebrated during the first full week of May each year, International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) works to raise public awareness on why it is important to compost organics and to use compost products. Throughout that week, Community, school, government, and business events are held worldwide to encourage and celebrate the…
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Ah, springtime! The time of year when flowers start to bloom, the sun sets a little later, and—most importantly—the chance to take on the age-old ritual of spring cleaning! One of the best ways to welcome the new season is to freshen up our homes, declutter, and make room for…
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In a world that’s full of people who try their best at protecting the environment, one can easily be misled to believe that certain products are compostable when they actually aren’t. In fact, many products such as cups, plates, cutlery, napkins, and more display “green” designs or incorrect labeling that…
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While many projects like road construction or lawn care slow down or even pause between the frigid months of November and March in Minnesota, large-scale composting operations present an exception. Food and yard waste that is brought to the SMSC Organics Recycling Facility are able to be composted through the…
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It is hard to believe the new year is already here! In the midst of swapping calendars and throwing out holiday leftovers, it is also important to choose a resolution or two to focus on throughout the year. Setting resolutions allows you to reflect on what’s important and focus on…
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The holidays are often considered “the most wonderful time of the year.” However, they also result in a lot of extra waste. In fact, household waste increases by more than roughly 25% from the Thanksgiving to New Year’s holiday period compared to the rest of the year. The good news…
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The SMSC Organics Recycling Facility is now home to two new pieces of equipment. Our facility recently acquired a compost screener and a wood grinder and have already began integrating them into our processes. These additions are already making a positive impact on our operations. Aside from increasing capacity, the…
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