Latest News

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) has long been a leader in sustainable waste management, a commitment deeply ingrained in their Dakota values and the seven generations principle of long-term planning. What began in 2011 as the SMSC Organics Recycling Facility (ORF) quickly grew to become a pivotal player in the Twin Cities' composting landscape. The overwhelming demand for its services at the original Shakopee site underscored the region’s readiness for sustainable solutions, prompting the SMSC to embark on a visionary expansion.

This vision has now been realized with the grand opening of Dakota Prairie Composting (DPC) in Louisville Township in June 2025. The relocation and expansion project was a significant task, representing several years of planning and a substantial investment in the future of sustainable waste management. The process involved extensive interagency collaboration, securing numerous approvals and permits from multiple state agencies and the local county government. The new site's "Heavy Industrial" zoning by Scott County was a key factor in its suitability for a composting facility. Dakota Prairie Composting operates under the rigorous regulatory oversight of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), ensuring compliance with all applicable standards, just like all other permitted Minnesota composting facilities.

Beyond the facility itself, the SMSC also funded crucial improvements to the Trunk Highway 41 intersection in Louisville Township. These enhancements, including the addition of bypass and turn lanes and rail crossing safety improvements, ease congestion and improve safety for all road users.

The new Dakota Prairie Composting facility is an expansion as well as a significant advancement in organics recycling technology and processes at the SMSC. Drawing upon years of research and insights from leading composting facilities nationwide and even internationally, DPC incorporates cutting-edge technology designed to enhance efficiency and significantly improve odor control. All process air, for instance, will now pass through a biofilter for efficient odor scrubbing.

This upgraded operation will dramatically increase Minnesota's landfill diversion efforts. At full permitted build out, the facility will triple the amount of compostable organic material it can process, diverting an impressive 212,500 tons of organics annually from landfills. This monumental effort is equivalent to removing the weight of over 17,000 school buses in waste and reducing carbon emissions by 26,000 metric tons per year. This expansion is a major leap forward in Minnesota's ambitious goal of recycling 75% of the state’s waste by 2030. As the largest composting facility in the Midwest, Dakota Prairie Composting is poised to be a cornerstone in achieving this critical statewide target.

Dakota Prairie Composting will continue to collect and recycle commercial organics, providing the same high-quality compost, soil blends, and mulch products that earned the original composting site its reputation for excellence. The facility maintains a strict 5% contamination threshold for incoming organic loads, incentivizing customers to deliver only approved compostable materials and ensuring a high-quality product. Carver County residents will also benefit from expanded access with the new convenient location. The existing adjacent bison operation will remain and expand at the original site, with any disturbed areas carefully restored.

This new facility is a direct result of the collaborative efforts between the SMSC, local cities and counties, and various Minnesota state agencies. It’s an indicator of the SMSC’s firm focus on environmental stewardship, offering expanded access to sustainable waste management and high-quality composting products for the entire region. Dakota Prairie Composting illuminates a path towards a more sustainable future for generations to come.