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    Hot Topics:              

• Blue & Yellow Recycling Cart

• Single Sort Brochure (includes collection calendar)

• Rice County Recycling Program

• Recycling Electronic Waste in Rice County

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Department Overview

The mission of the Rice County Solid Waste/Landfill is to properly collect and safely dispose of waste generated by the residents and businesses of Rice county in a manner that is environmentally safe.  This includes the collection and processing of other wastes such as yard waste, pallets, appliances, tires, household hazardous waste, very small quantity generators of hazardous waste, and a variety of recyclables including electronic waste.

Years ago, disposal of unwanted items was easy. Trash was set out and a garbage hauler took it away to a dump. Environmental problems of contaminated groundwater began when chemicals were deposited in the landfills. Disposal regulations have changed and modern landfills are now constructed to protect groundwater.

Our natural resources are limited and materials can be remanufactured into new products rather than used once and stored forever in a landfill. Now that recycling has become a way of life for most of us, we need to focus more on REDUCTION of waste and REUSE of items so as to STOP WASTE BEFORE IT STARTS! Remember your 3-R's of waste prevention, REDUCE, REUSE, and then RECYCLE what's left.

Most everything can be reused or recycled into new products. Some materials have limited or no markets or are too costly to disassemble for recycling. The Solid Waste department is responsible for the efficient and environmentally sound disposal of solid waste for the county.

Resources

• Rice County Recycling Program
• Recycling & Disposal Guide
• Solid Waste Ordinance dated November 8, 2005
• Free Stuff
• Single Sort Residential Recycling
• Single Sort Brochure (includes collection calendar)
• Blue & Yellow Recycling Cart
• What to Bring to the Recycling Center
• Hazardous Waste
• Landfill
• Demolition
• Problem Materials
• Community Compost
• Yard Waste
• Waste Reduction & Other Ideas
• Minnesota History of Solid Waste

• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Office of Environmental Assistance
• Minnesota Technical Assistance Program
  Waste reduction & pollution prevention information & on-site visits for businesses.
• Minnesota Materials Exchange
  A free service which helps businesses find a market for their surplus materials rather than paying to dispose of them.
• Minnesota-Waste Wise
  A voluntary program to increase waste prevention and recycling among businesses, non-profits and governmental organizations throughout the state.
• Sharing Environmental Education Knowledge (SEEK)
• Waste Fact Sheets