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Anoka County ADMINISTRATION ,,�& Communications March 26, 2024 Contact: Erik Thorson, Communications Director, 763-324-4612, or e-mail: Erik.Thorsonganokacoun . mn._ov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE All-Day Food Waste Recycling Location Now Open in Blaine Anoka County recently opened its first 24/7 organics (food scraps) recycling drop-off location at Johnsville Library, 12461 Oak Park Blvd. NE, Blaine. All food scraps, coffee grounds, and some paper products Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)-certified only are accepted at this and all other Anoka County organics drop-off locations. These items are processed into compost at a commercial facility. Compost improves soil quality, increases water retention, and decreases the need for fertilizers. Visit AnokaCountN. og v/organics for more information on accepted compostable items and locations and hours of all Anoka County organics collection sites. "According to a recent Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)-commissioned study, 25 percent of residential and commercial waste was food and paper packaging that's a lot of tossed-out material that could be transformed into beneficial compost," said Anoka County Commissioner Mandy Meisner, chair of the county's Human Services Committee. "Our goal is to keep increasing the amount we recycle, especially since the MPCA is requiring the county to recycle 75 percent of its waste by 2030. Currently, we recycle about 52 percent of our waste. Having a 24/7 collection site at the Johnsville Library will certainly help us move toward reaching our recycling target." Stepping up recycling efforts is a priority for Anoka County, but there's much that can be done to reduce the amount organic material that needs to be recycled. Most of the food Minnesotans throw out about 62 percent could have been eaten or donated, according to the -more- Respectful, Innovative, Fiscally Responsible Government Center A 2100 V Avenue, Suite 700 A Anoka, MN 55303-5024 A www.anokacountymn.gov Office: 763-324-4700 A Fax: 763-324-5490 Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer