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Regional Strategies Organics Recovery A. Introduction RETH INK 6a RECYCLING® Organics recovery in the Region includes the management of yard waste (leaves, grass, and other plant waste) and source - separated organic (SSO) materials that include food waste, food production by- products, produce and meat trimmings, plant waste, and soiled, non - recyclable paper. In 2010, changes to Minn. Stat. §115A.03 subdivision 25(a) added composting of SSO's to the definition of recycling. There are a variety of technologies available to manage the Region's organic wastes, including residential backyard composting, food rescue, food donation, food to livestock feeding, food to livestock feed manufacturing and various forms of non- residential composting. There has also recently been interest in anaerobic digestion, and several projects are currently being explored within the Region, but the technology remains in the early stages of assessment at this time. County, city, and private sector efforts have been successful in increasing the amount of organic wastes materials managed by a variety of methods in the Region, and in 2010, 127,366 tons (26% of the Region's potential SSO) were diverted from the MSW waste stream. The significant growth in organics recovery throughout the Region is due to county technical assistance, education programs, promotion of already existing organics recovery services, and targeted financial incentives. The Region's 2010 level of organics recovery, at 4 %, already meets the Policy Plan system objective for organics recovery of 3 -6% of total MSW by 2015. However, meeting future objectives (4 -8% of total MSW in 2020 and 9 -15% of total MSW by 2030) will require further changes in the waste management system.The counties and SWMCB will continue designing policies and programs in response to the State's challenging organics recovery objectives. Finally, it is also important to note that the SWMCB recognizes that: 1) private sector cooperation is needed to reach the 9 -15% objective by 2030; and 2) yard waste should be included in performance measures for organic wastes to more accurately reflect ongoing efforts in the Region and align with how organics recovery is calculated in other regions around the country. 2011 -2030 Regional Solid Waste Master Plan Approved by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board on December 14, 2011 Appendix V Page 39