How does recycling save my business money?
Reduced tax costs: Unlike what goes in your trash bin, recycling and organics hauling is not taxed.
Most business owners are unaware of the hefty tax on their trash. The State of Minnesota taxes trash hauling at 17%. In addition, trash services in Ramsey County are taxed at 53%, and, in Washington County, trash services for businesses are taxed at 35%. Recycling and organics collections are not taxed at all.
Reduced Waste: Reducing unnecessary waste can trim operating costs. For example, printing less cuts down on paper usage and can lower the budget spent on paper, toner and printer maintenance. Replacing disposable Styrofoam and plastic breakroom supplies with reusable dishes and silverware and adding a dishwasher can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars a year in supplies.
Right Size Hauling Services: Once you get as much as you can out of the trash dumpster – through waste reduction, increased recycling and adding organics service, make sure you reduce the size or frequency of pick-up for your trash bins to save on hauling fees.
What is the County Environmental Charge (CEC)?
The County Environmental Charge (CEC) is a charge on garbage hauling service and appears as a separate line item on your trash bill. The CEC applies to trash collection and disposal service, fuel surcharges, account start-up or cancellation fees and any other administrative fees. It does not apply to construction and demolition waste, recyclables, medical and infectious waste, organic materials collected for composting and certain types of industrial waste. The CEC also does not apply to other taxes or government fees.
Ramsey County’s CEC rate is 53% for non-residential customers.
Washington County’s CEC rate is 35% for non-residential customers.
How is the CEC used?
Revenue from the CEC is used for solid and hazardous waste services such as county household hazardous waste collections, yard waste and organic waste collection programs, recycling grants to cities and townships, environmental education programs, and the BizRecycling program.
What is the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Tax?
The Solid Waste Management Tax applies to services for both mixed municipal solid waste and non-mixed municipal solid waste. The tax is based on the sales price charged by the provider. For commercial (non-residential) accounts, the SWM Tax is 17%.
“Sales price” is the total of all charges and fees for the service, whether billed separately or together. Examples include: collection, transportation, processing, disposal, and administrative fees; fuel surcharges; and any fee for garbage bags or stickers provided to the customer.
The SWM Tax does not apply to recyclable materials including paper, glass, plastics, metals, source-separated organics, automobile oil, batteries, and other materials that are separated from solid waste for the purpose of recycling. (Incinerating waste to create energy is not considered recycling.)
What kinds of organizations qualify for BizRecycling’s free assistance?
BizRecycling will work with any type of commercial business, nonprofit, or residential apartment building with a physical location in Ramsey County or Washington County. Not sure if your business or organization is located in Ramsey or Washington County? Use our zip code verification tool to confirm.
Click here for more information on our eligibility requirements.
How do I get started with BizRecycling?
Connect with us online or call 651.266.1199. A staff person will assign you to one of our Recycling Experts based on your business type. Minnesota Waste Wise works with general businesses and apartment buildings. EcoConsilium works with schools, colleges, institutions, and health care providers.
Who in my business should be involved?
Anyone at a business or institution can fill out the Contact Us form! Waste reduction and recycling programs succeed when both management and employees are involved in and committed to making changes together.
What is a site visit?
A site visit with a Recycling Expert is required to apply for grant funding. Your Recycling Expert will schedule a free consultation and waste management walk-through at your business location. This will be scheduled at your convenience and takes about 30 minutes. During the site visit, they will assess your current waste and recycling operations to generate ideas for improvements. If you choose to make improvements, the Recycling Expert will provide you with a log-in to access the online grant applications and help you complete all the forms.
What is my organization responsible for paying?
The help of BizRecycling’s Recycling Experts is absolutely free!
If your Recycling Expert recommends starting a new service, such as a recycling or organics pickup service, your business or organization would be responsible for paying the service just as you do for trash pickup.
You will be responsible to pay for improvements you choose to implement above the grant thresholds of $10,000 for businesses and $20,000 for apartment buildings.
Does BizRecycling help with school recycling programs?
Yes! Private and charter schools, universities and colleges in Ramsey and Washington counties may be eligible to receive technical assistance and resources through BizRecycling.
For public schools in Ramsey County, please visit this Ramsey County webpage for more information on resources available.
Washington County also provides technical assistance to help school districts set up or enhance recycling programs and a grant program for recycling containers and other program needs. Please call 651.430.6655 for information.
What are recycling options for materials like electronics, hazardous waste, etc?
Our Recycling Experts can help businesses find recycling options for uncommon materials.
More questions?
If you have a question that wasn’t covered on this list, please ask us. Call us at 651.266.1199.