Shakopee, Minnesota – In its fourth year, the Organics Recycling Facility’s (ORF) yard waste collection program drew a record 4,745 participants in 2016 – about 130 more people than in 2015. Each Sunday during the months of April, May, September and October, the ORF accepted yard waste free of charge from Scott County residents.

The ORF served more than 1,000 people combined on the final two days of the program, which were the busiest of the season. The total number of participants has increased each year.

The residential drop-off events complement the ORF’s ongoing partnerships with the cities of Prior Lake, Shakopee, and Savage to accept leaves, brush, food scraps, and other organic waste at no cost. Other ORF partners include local waste haulers, food manufacturers, grocers, and school districts. The ORF uses the natural waste to make a variety of products, including compost for gardening, landscaping, and turf management – which eliminates the need to use chemical fertilizers and herbicides.

For more information, visit www.smscorf.com.

About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Indian tribe located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Making its top priority to be a good neighbor, the SMSC is one of the top 10 philanthropists in Minnesota and donates more to charity than any other Indian tribe in America. It also focuses on being a strong community partner and a leader in protecting and restoring natural resources. The SMSC’s government, Gaming Enterprise, and various other enterprises are collectively the largest employer in Scott County.