Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC)
1905 Mystic Lake Drive South, Shakopee, Minnesota, United States

Welcome to the SMSC Organics Recycling Facility (ORF), an enterprise owned and operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC). We are part of the SMSC’s focus on being a good steward of the earth.At the ORF, we recycle organic materials —like paper, food, and yard waste—from residential, commercial and municipal customers. Then, we craft a nutrient-rich, natural fertilizer for gardening, farming, landscaping and more. We also process wood to be used as mulch and a renewable energy source. Our Dakotah Roots products are available for retail and wholesale.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC), a federally recognized Indian tribe, opened the SMSC Organics Recycling Facility (ORF) in the fall of 2011. The ORF is part of our Dakota tradition of caring for the earth.We take what may have been tossed in a landfill and instead create high-quality compost, compost blends, colored mulch, and more for whatever project you’re working on. We also specialize in processing wood to be used as renewable fuel at Koda Energy, a joint energy initiative between the SMSC and Rahr Malting in Shakopee.

Good Steward of the Earth
Here at the SMSC, our enterprises create a complete, sustainable cycle for waste. The ORF recycles and repurposes organic waste from our natural food market, Mazopiya, and our Property Services Department. The end-product naturally fertilizes our lands and our organic farm, Wozupi Tribal Gardens. Any leftover produce then makes its way back to the ORF for processing. Further exhibiting our commitment to environmental stewardship, 144 solar panels on the roof of the ORF generate electricity for the site.

Good Neighbor
Through the ORF, we also help our neighbors. We accept yard waste at no charge from several local municipalities, including the cities of Prior Lake, Savage, and Shakopee. Other hauling companies and local municipalities bring their organic materials to the ORF, saving money, drive time, and the environment.

Organics

Organic material is the main ingredient of compost. Combining organic material—including food waste, yard waste, cardboard, and paper—with the correct amounts of carbon, nitrogen, water and oxygen provides an ideal environment for microorganisms to efficiently break it down into compost. These microbes cannot break down inorganic material, and this is the reason why the ORF only accepts organic material to make compost.

Refining a Natural Process

• You drop off organic waste at our facility or we come to you with our mobile wood grinder.
• Our team weighs and inspects the incoming material, and then grinds and mixes it using a “recipe.”
• The material is then incorporated into windrows on an asphalt pad. After the material is tested, it is incorporated into larger rows.
• A machine mixes the material regularly for up to three months. Our team also routinely records oxygen, temperature and moisture.
• During this process, microorganisms produce heat, which drives away moisture and snuffs out pathogens and weed seeds.
• Lastly, trash becomes treasure. Our Dakotah Roots products are ready for landscaping, farming, gardening and more.

Process

Composting is a biological process in which microorganisms convert organic materials into a soil like material called compost. This process occurs in nature but the ORF managers speed up the process to achieve faster decomposition. Microorganisms produce heat which drives off moisture and destroys pathogens and weed seeds. Odors are minimal in a well-run facility and managing the compost will be a carefully monitored, turned windrow operation. Staff weigh and inspect incoming material and then grind and mix it using an established recipe.  The material is then incorporated into windrows on an impervious surface asphalt pad.  After the material is tested on the asphalt pad, it is incorporated into larger rows that are about 10 feet tall by 20 feet wide and several hundred feet long.  Workers use a machine that mixes the material by straddling the windrow and this is done regularly for up to three months.  Staff also record oxygen, temperature, and moisture regularly and these data are used to guide management.

Composting Benefits the Environment in Many Ways

• Compost adds organic material to depleted soils.
• Excellent soil amendment for plants to uptake water and nutrients.
• Composting process kills pathogens and weed seeds.
• Compost sites eliminate the need to utilize existing landfill space and to locate future landfills.
• Well-run compost sites help reduce greenhouse gases such as methane, which is approximately 23 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.

ACCEPTABLE

• Baked Goods (Pastas, Bread, Cereal) Nuts, Shells Grounds, Filters, Tea Bags Fruits, Vegetables Peelings, Pits Dairy Products (Yogurt, Cheese) Meats (Bones, Fish)
• Shredded Paper Paper Bags Food Soiled Products Pizza Delivery Boxes Egg Cartons Flour, Sugar Bags Napkins Paper Towel Parchment Wax Paper Certified Compostable: bpiworld.org/products.html Plates, Cups, Bowls, Utinsels, Straws
• House Plant Trimmings Brush/Logs/Clippings Leaves Dirt/Sod Plants, Flowers Mulch Trees

NON-ACCEPTABLE

• Metals Aluminum Cans Rocks Treated Wood (Painted Wood Fences, etc.)
• Household Appliances/Furnaces Paints/Oil/Chemicals Paper Products without BPI - e.g. (Fast Food Wrappers, Paper Boats) Microwave Popcorn Bags
• Cartons (Wax-Lined) Frozen Food Boxes Take-Out Containers