Garbage-to-compost operation may end

Posted at 11:30 AM on September 26, 2011 by Mark Steil
Filed under: Southwest Minnesota

(Photo courtesy of Prairieland Compost Facility)

Minnesota's largest garbage-to-compost plant may end the composting side of it's operation. Prairieland in Truman has been in business for 20 years. The Fairmont Sentinel says a costly paddle wheel is driving the discussion.

Although the plant was built as a compost only facility, through the years fuel production has gradually grown. Prairieland director Mark Bauman says right now about 40 percent of the garbage coming in is converted to fuel for power plants, 30 percent goes for compost and the rest is sent to landfills because it's not the right material for either.

Bauman says if composting is abandoned, the fuel side will continue. Right now the fuel is burned at an Xcel Energy power plant in Mankato.