About

Pope/Douglas Solid Waste Management

Pope/Douglas operates a multi-faceted and comprehensive waste and recycling operation. Lots of moving parts. Lots of dedicated employees. Lots of community partners. We want you to know what goes into running a successful waste and recycling program through tours, speaking events and community events. Knowing what and how you throw or recycle something makes a difference!

Board & History

View our Board of Directors and learn about the history of our facilities. 

Facility Tours

We are proud to offer both in-person and virtual tours. 

Speaking Engagements

You will find us at the county fairs, master gardener brown bag lunch sessions, rotary club meeting and so much more.

Future Facilities & Upgrades

We are currently working with the Governor’s Office, MN House and MN Senate to secure funding through the Capital Assistance Program (CAP).

Waste & Recycling Ordinances

Pope/Douglas Solid Waste Management is a joint powers board with representation from both counties.

Waste Designation

Pope/Douglas Solid Waste Management operates a fully integrated solid waste, recycling, pollution prevention and outreach/education system.

Board of Directors

Pope Douglas Board

Left to right: Comm’r Larry Lindor (Pope), Jerry Wright (Member at Large), Comm’r Paul Gerde (Pope), Comm’r Heather Larson (Douglas), Comm’r Charlie Meyer (Douglas)
Executive Director: Steve Vrchota
Board Secretary: Brooke Hellerman

History

Pope/Douglas Solid Waste Management has continued to evolve as state and local requirements and needs change throughout the years.

We pride ourselves with providing our varied services and programs in a fiscally-aware and environmentally-sensitive manner.

1988

17,202 tons of waste processed in the first year and 31,671 tons of waste processed 2007 – Total tons of waste processed during 20 years of operation – 476,009

1989

Implemented Curbside Recycling Programs and Satellite Collection Sites in Pope and Douglas Counties

1993

Opened Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-off/Reuse Center. 515 Residents dropped items at HHW and 489 Residents picked up

1994

Constructed an Ash Monofil

1997

Opened Recycling Drop Center at Pope/Douglas Solid Waste Management facility.

1997

Replaced Combustors, Boilers and Air Pollution Control Equipment as required to meet new E.P.A. Standards

2003

Constructed Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) to remove more recyclable materials from waste stream – from 2004 thru 2007, the MRF processed 97,800 tons of MSW removing an additional 6,800 tons or 7% of recyclable materials.

2010

Expanded Waste to Energy Facility by adding Third Combustor.

2020

Constructed an Organics Transfer Facility, as part of the Glacial Ridge Compost Facility, to serve organics recycling and management needs from a 5 county area.

2021

Began construction of the Glacial Ridge Compost Facility, owned and operated by Pope/Douglas Solid Waste, to serve the organics processing and management needs of 5 partnering counties.  Facility will be opening in 2022.

2022

Breaking ground on the Environmental Center spring of 2022 with being operational by the end of 2022.  This new facility will manage all public-facing recycling and hazardous waste functions within a convenient drive-through and enhanced spaces for waste and recycling educational programming to help #putwasteinitsplace.