Address: Across the street from the Hazardous Waste Facility - 305 Energy Parkway NE, Rochester, MN 55906 Phone: 507-328-7070Fax: 507-328-7090 Compost Site Hours: Open seven days a week during daylight hours Department Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Email:reducewaste@olmstedcounty.gov
The OWEF produces steam and electricity which is provided to 30+ buildings in the Olmsted County District Energy System (OCDES). The OWEF reduces the volume of waste sent to a landfill by about 90%.
Welcome to the Olmsted County Environmental Resources report a concern webpage, your central hub for contacting us about various issues, including illegal burning, illegal dumping, public health nuisance, and service-related concerns related to garbage collection within our county. Our dedicated staff is at your service Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Olmsted County efficiently manages garbage and recycling disposal through streamlined processes outlined in the Designated Waste and Solid Waste Management ordinances. These regulations cover self-hauler procedures, hauler licensing, and registration.
The greenhouse effect is the process through which heat is trapped near Earth's surface by substances known as 'greenhouse gases.' Imagine these gases as a cozy blanket enveloping our planet, helping to maintain a warmer temperature than it would have otherwise. Greenhouse gases consist of carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and water vapor. Water vapor, which reacts to temperature changes, is referred to as a 'feedback', because it amplifies the effect of forces that initially caused the warming.
The Sustainable Business Park is a bold new vision to transform 72 acres of vacant land into a thriving hub for green innovation. Located next to the Olmsted Waste-to-Energy Facility (OWEF) and a future state-of-the-art Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), this park will attract businesses that can use the renewable energy and materials we already produce—turning waste into economic opportunity.
Thank you to all who participated in the initial composting pilot project. We are excited to share that our department intends to transition the pilot into a permanent program. Our goal is to make food scrap composting more accessible while continuing to provide a reliable and effective service.
