BACKGROUNDSaint Paul RiverCentre is one of the first convention centers in the nation to compost in the front-of-house, or public areas. A 1:1 ratio of trash cans to recycling bins was implemented throughout the campus. Since September 2009, over 650 new recycle bins have been purchased. Of the collection bins purchased, 96% are made with some, if not all, recycled content. Color-coded bags are used to help operations staff easily sort items. Paper recycling is available at Saint Paul RiverCentre and Xcel Energy Center. The waste-reduction plan, the first of our multi-phased sustainability initiative, was fully operational Oct. 6, 2009, coinciding with the Minnesota Wild season home opener at Xcel Energy Center. FACTS & FIGURESIn 2009, the total waste stream for the campus = 2,848,897 pounds (equal to 184 elephants). After two years, the total waste stream for the campus was reduced to 2,087,080 pounds. Saint Paul RiverCentre trash originally accounted for 35% of total waste. Currently, the facility accounts for 18% of total waste. Xcel Energy Center operations accounted for 45% of total waste. The arena currently accounts for 27% of total waste. From the assessment, the benchmark showed the percent of total waste being recycled campus wide was around 15%. The 2007-08 event season was the benchmark period used. In a two year period, total recycling has increased to 53%. Total waste levels peak in March, coinciding with “March Madness” in the facilities. Xcel Energy Center hosts several Minnesota State High School League tournaments, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association tournament, multiple Wild games and concerts every March. Next door, Saint Paul RiverCentre is busy hosting multiple expos and trade shows that welcome thousands of attendees. NEW WASTE COLLECTION PRACTICESTwo compactors collect trash - one for Saint Paul RiverCentre and one for Xcel Energy Center. A 30-yard roll-off dumpster combines the entire campus’ commingled recycling. A 40-yard compactor collects cardboard and paper together. A 30-yard dumpster collects all construction waste, including carpet remnants from tradeshows. A baler collects shrink wrap and plastic wrap. A separate baler collects vinyl table covers and reinforced vinyl banners. A 30-yard compactor collects compost from all kitchens, concession areas, staff break rooms and many of the public spaces within Saint Paul RiverCentre. Cooking oil is commingled and collected for MHC Culinary Group, Levy Restaurants and Centerplate. Pallets are collected for reuse and are being tracked. ADDITIONALLYSaint Paul RiverCentre, Xcel Energy Center, The Legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium and the Minnesota Wild front offices currently recycle glass, plastic, aluminum, paper, cardboard, fluorescent bulbs, pallets, construction waste, plastic wrap, vinyl tablecloths, vinyl reinforced banners, metal and cooking oil used in the facilities. Waste Management, Minnesota’s largest recycler and trash collection services provider, provides organics and recycling collection services. Waste Management recycles nearly 250,000 tons of recyclables a year in the state of Minnesota. With the help of Waste Management, our compost is delivered to a processing facility in Rosemount, Minn., where it is ground up and composted into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Conversion to Johnson-Diversey green cleaning products across campus began in 2008 and lighting is being incrementally switched over to high-efficiency alternatives. All facilities are heated and cooled only when occupied, using renewable energy provided by District Energy. NATIONALLYThe national recycling rate, as most recently measured in 2007, is 33 percent. San Francisco, the national leader, recycles at a rate of over 72 percent, and aims to become a zero-waste city. |
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