Coffeetime with the County - Solid Waste's Administrator, Josh Holte
Hubbard County's Solid Waste Department is working hard to keep our community clean, safe, and environmentally responsible. During the interview, Josh Holte, the Solid Waste Administrator for Hubbard County, shared exciting updates on programs, technology, and the numbers behind the department's impressive efforts.
Hubbard County, along with 5 other counties in NW MN, delivers waste and recycling to Polk County Solid Waste Facilities. A portion of garbage is sent to the incinerator in Fosston, which generates steam for local customers, while the remainder goes to the landfill near Crookston. All mixed recycling also flows through the Fosston facility, where state-of-the-art AI-powered robots and optical sorters help separate and recover valuable recyclable materials.
One of the most exciting developments is the launch of the new Residential Organics Program. Residents can sign up to receive special bright green compostable bags to separate food waste from regular garbage. The bags are picked up with normal garbage, and AI robots at the Fosston facility automatically detect and divert them to the commercial composting facility in Crookston — a truly innovative solution for rural communities.
On the commercial side, the department has just launched a Commercial Organics Collection Program, partnering with schools, restaurants, hospitals, and other businesses to divert food waste from the landfill. With a brand-new collection truck recently received, the program already has 20 to 30 stops in Hubbard County, with plans to expand into Beltrami County later this summer.
Battery safety is a serious concern that Josh wants everyone to be aware of. The transfer station in Park Rapids has experienced three major fires in recent years — including one earlier this month — caused by lithium-ion batteries improperly mixed with recycling or garbage. All batteries, from cell phones to laptops to power tools, should be brought to the hazardous waste area at either transfer station, not tossed in the trash or recycling bins.
The department also encourages residents to avoid "wish cycling" — placing items in recycling bins hoping they can be recycled when they can't. When in doubt, ask an attendant or use the Waste Wizard tool on the county website to find out exactly where any item should go.
Other highlights include the Reuse Center expansion project, which is being redesigned and relocated to a larger storage building on the north side of the Park Rapids facility, with construction starting later this summer. The horizontal grinder purchased last year has been grinding brush and wood waste, with colored mulch now available to the public. Wood chips are also being shipped to Polk County to help make compost.
The numbers from 2025 speak for themselves: over 17,300 tons of waste were processed, 2,200 tons of mixed recycling were collected, 71 tons of food waste were diverted to composting, 1,200 tons of wood chips were sent to Polk County for compost blending, and the Reuse Center alone diverted 380 tons of material from the waste stream.
For more information on any of these programs — including how to sign up for the Residential Organics Program or find out where to properly dispose of materials — visit the Hubbard County website at hubbardcounty.gov and navigate to the Solid Waste Department page.