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Stevens County adopts 10-year solid waste plan, aims for 35% recycling by 2030
Summary
County commissioners approved an updated 10‑year solid waste management plan calling for a projected 35%–37% recycling rate by 2030, preserving annual SCORE funding and outlining organics, reuse and hauler‑licensing priorities.
Stevens County commissioners voted to adopt an updated 10‑year solid waste management plan after a presentation from consultant Kevin Kettleson of the Upper Minnesota Regional Development Commission.
Kettleson told the board the county currently generates about 9,000 tons of waste annually, roughly 75% from commercial, institutional and industrial sources and 25% from residences. The plan uses 2024 data showing a county recycling rate of about 33.1% and projects the rate will reach roughly 35%–37% by 2030. ‘‘We think you're very close to the recycling goal,’’ Kettleson said, noting curbside recycling and rural drop‑off trailers as drivers of the increase.
The nut graff: The plan is required every ten years and keeps Stevens County eligible for roughly $86,700 a year in SCORE funding. Commissioners approved the plan to maintain funding streams and guide investments in recycling, organics collection and licensing enforcement.
In the discussion, commissioners and staff flagged challenges that are common in rural counties: long distances to recycling markets, limited staff time for public education, and the need to tighten hauler‑licensing and enforcement to reduce contamination of recycled loads. Kettleson highlighted opportunities to track reuse tonnages through thrift stores and to expand organics collection from large generators such as dairies.
Board members also discussed a regional equipment proposal to add higher‑capacity processing (a plan described during the meeting as a roughly $1.4 million facility), noting grant match constraints and that the county had previously contributed about $60,000 toward optics/equipment trials with mixed results.
The board voted to approve the plan, which county staff said will be returned to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) as required and will support continued SCORE funding and program work around recycling, organics and hauler licensing.
What’s next: With the plan approved, staff and regional partners will pursue implementation steps outlined in the document, track recycling and organics tonnages and continue conversations about grant opportunities for regional equipment and processing.
