Nerd out on composting with this tour of Ramsey County's reusable waste site
As a community garden, we’re always looking for ways to get resources super cheap or, better yet, for free. This spring, we were the lucky recipients of several yards of organic compost from Ramsey County. This is an amazing resource for our gardeners: rich, clean compost, free of cost.
As I was working with the county to arrange our shipment of black gold, I got to wondering: where does all this compost come from? What even is the process of composting? What are the machinations behind such a huge operation?
Incredibly, Ramsey County agreed to give us a tour of their composting facility, North of Saint Paul, in White Bear Township. And on a sweltering summer day, a curious group of waste management enthusiasts gathered for an unprecedented behind-the-scenes tour, guided by John Springman, a 34-year veteran of Ramsey County's Solid Waste Operations, and his colleague Alex Fredberg. What unfolded was a fascinating journey into the complex world of industrial composting—a process of science, engineering, and environmental stewardship.
Our tour took place at the White Bear Township Yard Waste Collection Site — an environmental marvel that most residents only glimpse when dropping off yard scraps. But, Ramsey County's primary composting facility isn't just a place where leaves and grass clippings go to rot. It's a sophisticated waste management operation that coordinates a complex system of negotiations, contracts, and logistics. Through seven yard waste sites—including about 10,000 cubic yards from White Bear Township—it transforms more than 100,000 cubic yards of organic material into nutrient-rich compost, serving gardeners, landscapers, and environmental enthusiasts across the region.
From massive windrow turners that methodically turn organic materials to precise tracking of everything from food scraps to fallen tree branches, this facility represents the cutting edge of waste reduction and resource recovery. It's a place where what most people would consider garbage is transformed into a valuable resource.
You get the picture, waste management in Ramsey County is a huge operation. Even with a highly efficient system, the county still faces a shortage of composting space. The seven yardwaste sites receive such large volumes of leaves, grass, and garden debris that the surplus must be transferred to commercial composters. The finished compost is then distributed regionally for landscaping and gardening projects—and has even been shipped as far as Dubai, with notable local uses such as the Minnesota Vikings’ practice facility.
The contamination conundrum: What not to throw in your compost pile
I asked John and Alex: What was one thing they wished the people of Ramsey County knew about their operation?
Hands down, they agreed it was contaminants.
They hope residents understand exactly what can and cannot be composted. He and his team at Ramsey County have seen it all—from tennis balls (there are a LOT of tennis balls) and dog toys. At the unsupervised, 24/7 food scrap collection sites, illegal dumping sometimes occurs, which has even included large items like pianos and organs. But these aren't just amusing anecdotes; they represent a serious challenge in industrial composting.
Contamination is a huge problem for Ramsey County. Seemingly innocuous items like ropes, wood boards, and plastic can wreak havoc on composting machinery. These materials can wrap around turning equipment, force expensive shutdowns, and ultimately compromise the entire composting process.
Wood waste is particularly problematic. Contrary to popular belief, not all organic material breaks down quickly. Thick branches, hardwood pieces, and certain types of vines can resist decomposition, creating chunks in the finished compost that reduce its quality and marketability. The goal is a uniform, fine-textured compost that gardeners and landscapers can easily use.
Many weeds are acceptable in the composting process because the high temperatures in the compost piles will make them "innocuous" or prevent them from germinating.
Weeds like burdock or cocklebur (above) can be added to the compost, and the high temperatures will neutralize their ability to spread. While most plants won't survive the composting process, there are a few exceptions. Japanese knotweed is tough and might potentially survive the composting process.
Bendy, soft materials like vines and corn stalks will break down over time, unlike woody materials, which resist decomposition.
It’s been an ongoing challenge communicating what can and cannot be composted. While a corn stalk might break down easily, a thick tree branch will not—and could potentially damage expensive composting equipment. Their message is clear: Composting is a collaborative process. Every resident plays a crucial role in creating high-quality, usable compost by being mindful of what they dispose of in their organic waste containers.
A tsunami of wood waste
The Emerald Ash Borer and recent severe storms have created an unprecedented wood waste crisis for Ramsey County, transforming what was once a manageable waste stream into a logistical and financial nightmare. It used to cost the county $1.53 per cubic yard to dispose of wood waste. It has now exploded to $7 per cubic yard—a staggering 358% increase that has sent shockwaves through the county's waste management budget.
During one recent storm, the impact was dramatic. Lines of vehicles stretched for blocks, waiting to dispose of fallen trees and storm debris. The county's wood waste sites were overwhelmed, with cars queuing from the gate all the way down County Road J. This isn't just an inconvenience—it's a systemic challenge that threatens the entire waste management infrastructure.
The problem extends beyond local disposal. Existing processing facilities like Environmental Wood Supply are struggling to handle the volume. Some wood waste has been hauled as far as Red Wing, dramatically increasing transportation costs and environmental impact. The traditional solutions of sending wood to biomass energy facilities or waste processing centers are no longer sufficient.
In response, Ramsey County is pioneering an innovative solution: an air curtain burner that will convert wood waste into biochar. This cutting-edge technology transforms problematic wood waste into a valuable resource. Biochar, a highly stable form of carbon, can be mixed with compost and used in landscaping, potentially creating a new revenue stream from what was previously considered a disposal problem.
The county is also exploring partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions, including Washington County, to create a more comprehensive wood waste management strategy. It's a testament to the complex, interconnected nature of modern waste management—where environmental challenges require creative, collaborative solutions.
For Ramsey County, the wood waste crisis is more than a logistical problem. It's an opportunity to reimagine waste as a resource, turning environmental challenges into innovative solutions.
From kitchen scraps to community resource: Ramsey County's organic waste revolution
Ramsey County is on the cusp of a transformative waste management approach: a comprehensive food waste pickup program that turns everyday food waste into a valuable environmental resource. But this isn't as simple as tossing food scraps into a bin—it's a sophisticated process of scientific precision and environmental innovation.
The program's core challenge is creating stable, usable compost from food waste. Unlike yard waste, food scraps alone would create a problematic, potentially odorous mess. The solution? A carefully crafted mixture of approximately 75% yard waste to 25% food scraps. This delicate balance ensures proper carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, manages potential nuisance issues, and creates a high-quality compost product.
Currently, the county collects an impressive volume of food waste—about 5,000 cubic yards (nearly 2 million pounds) from 24/7 drop-off sites and an additional 1,600 cubic yards from yard waste sites annually. Each household generates a surprisingly consistent amount of food waste, with researchers finding that one cubic yard of material represents about 33 households.
There were odors.
The future of this program is even more exciting. Ramsey County is developing an infrastructure that goes beyond traditional composting. They're exploring anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis—cutting-edge technologies that not only process organic waste but also address emerging environmental concerns like PFAS contamination.
Pyrolysis, in particular, offers a groundbreaking solution. By subjecting organic material to extremely high temperatures, the process creates biochar while effectively destroying PFAS chemicals. This means transforming potential environmental hazards into a valuable resource that can be used in landscaping and soil improvement.
The program is about creating a circular economy. As John Springman noted, the ultimate goal is to "bolster that organic management team" and create a sustainable system where waste becomes a resource. It's a vision of environmental stewardship that turns what was once considered garbage into gold—or in this case, rich, life-giving compost.
Your role in the composting ecosystem
Composting isn't just a county program—it's a community commitment. For those inspired to dive deeper, Ramsey County offers multiple entry points into sustainable waste management. The county's seven waste sites, including 24/7 drop-off locations, provide accessible ways for residents to participate in this environmental revolution.
Interested residents can:
Check out Ramsey County’s forthcoming food waste pickup program
Find locations, hours, learn about what is accepted, and eligibility of use:
Follow Ramsey County's Recycling and Energy social media for ongoing education
Become a recycling ambassador and volunteer for waste reduction education programs
The journey from kitchen scraps to nutrient-rich soil is complex, fascinating, and fundamentally hopeful. Each banana peel, grass clipping, and fallen leaf represents not an end, but a beginning—a chance to reimagine waste as a resource, and communities as stewards of a more sustainable future.
For more information, visit Ramsey County's Recycling and Energy website or contact their Solid Waste Operations team. Your next compost contribution could be the start of something remarkable.
