Food scraps make up around 20% of household trash by weight in Ramsey and Washington counties. This newly developed program utilizes AI technology to sort specially designed compostable bags, called food scrap bags, from household trash. The program follows a co-collection model, meaning residents can place the food scrap bags into their household trash cart or dumpster, eliminating the need for a separate collection cart and additional haulers on the road. Participation is free to all residents, regardless of housing type and home ownership. Food scrap pickup program staff will discuss the waste management hierarchy in Minnesota and how this food scraps recycling program is helping reach the state’s 75% recycling goal. Staff will share why the program was developed, how the pilot was designed, and how the program will roll out to all residents of the two counties over the next few years.
Learning Objectives:
Explain how food scrap recycling and the food scraps pickup program fit into Minnesota's waste management hierarchy.
Recognize how staff developed an effective program pilot. Participants will be informed about key considerations, design elements, and key takeaways from the effort.
Prepare a new model for food scraps co-collection with trash and the opportunities the use of AI-technology brings.
