Organics Recycling Facility

Happy Friday afternoon -

Recently, Shakopee residents who live near the intersection of County Rd 16 and Canterbury Rd (83) have been smelling an odor thought to be coming from the SMSC Organics Recycling (Compost) Facility that opened last year.

From their website, the SMSC Organics Recycling Facility uses natural processes to break down organic material such as yard trimmings, food waste, and agricultural by products into compost. Unfortunately that comes with an odor when the wind is from the right direction.

Here is what is happening to handle the issue:

• The SMSC has an industrial hygienist (I had to google it, too) to work on limiting the odor from the facility.
• 13 odor-monitoring devices have arrived and will be set up around the facility to monitor the odor and weather conditions.
• Many of the monitors are set up in Shakopee.
• The monitors will take readings and if odor is detected, the facility will be able to proactively make adjustments like turning the piles or adding appropriate materials before it gets bad.
• Also, they have stopped turning the piles on Fridays and cover them up for weekends to keep the odor contained.

These steps along with further tweaking of a new facility will hopefully lead to less smell coming from the facility and a return to the quality of life residents in the area expect.

The compost is very high quality and a great way to handle organic waste. Please be patient as the kinks in the system are worked out. I am extremely grateful to the SMSC for working with us and proactively handling this situation. It is very much appreciated!

Thank you and have a great weekend!

Brad