Hennepin County is hoping to increase its recycling rate from 38% to 45% of the total waste stream by 2015. This new goal is part of an overall waste-reduction effort by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and could bring about a few changes to the way residents recycle their waste:
- Plastics would be melted down into synthetic crude oil, which would generate more revenue than the electricity produced by the county's garbage burner.
- Businesses and apartment buildings would be encouraged to increase their recycling rates, which are currently far behind that of residential rates.
- Schools and restaurants would either be encouraged or mandated to recycle organic food waste.
- Sorting may be eliminated for curbside pickup, making it easier for residents to recycle.
Read more about it from the Star Tribune. What do you think? Do you agree that recycling efforts need a boost in Hennepin County, and how would you like to see that happen?
