Business Recycling and Waste Reduction

This page is meant to assist Oakdale businesses in cultivating recycling and waste reduction practices. 

Reduce waste

 
Resources for businesses

BizRecycling
BizRecycling, a public program of Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy (R&E), helps businesses in Ramsey and Washington counties reduce waste and improve their recycling and organics (food waste) collections through grants and technical assistance. Eligible businesses, non-profits, and schools can receive:

  • Up to $50,000 in Waste Reduction and Innovation Grant funds for projects that result in a significant reduction of created waste.
  • Up to $10,000 in Recycling Grant funds for projects to start or improve recycling and organics collection.
  • Up to $5,000 in Organics Reward grant funds for projects to start or expand organic collection.
  • Food producers, food distributers, grocers, cafeterias, non-profits, and food shelves and banks may also be eligible for up to $20,000 in Food Recovery Grant funds for projectsthat help recover surplus, edible food for distribution to people in need.
  • Businesses with less than one million dollars in annual gross revenue, and food shelves and banks, may also be eligible for up to $2,500 in Bin-Only Grant funds for ordering bins and equipment to manage trash, recycling, and organics collection.

Additionally, businesses are eligible to receive free recycling, organics, and trash labels.

Visit bizrecycling.com for more details and about program eligibility and participation.

Waste Wise 
Waste Wise, a program of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, offers free services to help all businesses in Washington County identify projects that help reduce waste and save money. Visit the Waste Wise website for information about site visit consultations, waste bill analysis, grands and funding assistance, employee training, and waste sorts.

Resources for multi-unit buildings

BizRecycling works directly with property managers to improve recycling infrastructure and educate tenants on recycling. Eligible multi-unit residential properties can receive:

  • Up to $20,000 in Recycling Grant funds for properties of 21+ units for projects to start or improve recycling and organics collection.
  • Up to $10,000 in Recycling Grant funds for properties of 5-20 units for projects to start or improve recycling and organics collection.
  • Up to $5,000 in Organics Reward grant funds for projects to start or expand organic collection.

Properties are eligible to receive free recycling, organics, and trash labels.

Visit BizRecycling  for more information.

Resources for schools

 Washington County has funding, free container labels, and technical support available to help schools start or improve recycling and waste reduction programs. Visit the Washington County website or call (651) 430-6655 for more information about recycling assistance for schools, and to order recycling and trash container labels for free.

 BizRecycling works with preschools and K-12 to set up recycling and organics infrastructure for classrooms and cafeterias. Visit the BizRecycling school page for more information.