Bridging Joins Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to Tackle Mounting Trash Crisis in Twin Cities
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency officials convened at the Bridging Roseville warehouse on June 7th, 2023 to announce a 20-year draft metro waste policy plan. This effort includes 70 recommendations intended to combat more than 3 million tons of waste generated in 2021 alone. The agency says recycling rates in the metro are around 45%, much less than the projected goal of 75% by 2030.
“To protect our air, land, and water, we must do more to meet our waste reduction, recycling, and composting goals,” said Kirk Koudelka, assistant commissioner for land policy and strategic initiatives at the MPCA.
The MPCA’s plan is to encourage weekly recycling in all seven metro counties by 2025, make curbside composting collection available to cities larger than 5,000 people, and provide grants to businesses for software to track food waste. Bridging is joining this effort by keeping furniture out of landfills and instead getting gently used items into homes.
“That’s the beauty when we start recognizing big bulky items that are in good shape,” Bridging’s Diana Dalsin says. “Don’t drive them to the landfill. Let’s get them somewhere else. Have a pit stop. Give it to someone so they have a place to relax every night.”
Nine news outlets were present at Bridging for this announcement. You can see their coverage at the links below. KSTP’s Richard Reeves’ feature story about Bridging can be seen here: https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/twin-cities-nonprofit-steps-up-to-help-with-mpcas-20-year-waste-reduction-plan/
To learn more about how you can help reduce waste in the Twin Cities by donating to Bridging, visit Bridging.org/give-stuff
Fox 9 KMSP
https://www.fox9.com/news/70-ideas-to-reduce-waste-as-minnesota-increases-output
KSTP-TV
https://kstp.com/kstp-news/local-news/minnesota-leaders-unveil-new-plan-for-waste-management/