St. Peters Environmental Campus to Offer Behind-the-Scenes Look at Recycling Systems During RCon®
RCon® 2026 attendees in St. Louis will have the opportunity to tour the City of St. Peters Environmental Campus, a regional example of how collection, recycling, transfer station operations, organics management, workforce development, and public education can work together to strengthen local materials management systems.
Located in St. Peters, Missouri, the Environmental Campus is home to Recycle City, an operation that includes a modern materials recovery facility (MRF), transfer station, and large-scale composting facility. During RCon, tours of the campus will be offered throughout the week, giving attendees multiple chances to see the site’s systems and operations firsthand.
From Opt-In Bags to Universal Cart-Based Recycling
St. Peters has recently undergone a major and impressive recycling transformation. The city previously operated an opt-in, bag-based recycling program with low participation. Residents used a different-colored bag for recyclables, but the material was collected with trash then separated at the transfer station. With support from The Recycling Partnership, the city moved to a universal cart-based curbside recycling program.
Approximately 22,000 95-gallon recycling carts were distributed to residents, along with robust education and outreach, resulting in a substantial increase in recycling participation.
The new collection system improved the city’s routing and collection efficiency. By utilizing Routeware technology, St. Peters implemented more efficient collection routes to reduce fuel costs by approximately $350,000 annually and remove the need to procure additional vehicles. Routeware also empowered the city to verify collection, document contamination, and enhance customer service.
A Modern MRF Designed for Cleaner Material and Future Growth
The Environmental Campus’ newly upgraded Machinex MRF is a central feature of the tour. The facility was designed to support single-stream recycling and features advanced sorting systems, including optical sorting, screening, and glass-breaking equipment. While the MRF was originally designed for approximately 8 tons per hour, the city has been running the system at about 12 tons per hour, made possible by cleaner inbound material and careful quality control.
Operational discipline is a major part of the St. Peters success story. Contamination stays low thanks to drivers checking and tagging problem carts. The team uses data and photos to support education and enforcement. As a result, participation is now reported in the 90 percent range, with contamination rates at 5 percent or less. This effort led to the SWANA Sustainable Materials Management Technical Division awarding the City of St. Peters with an award for advancing the sustainable use of materials during RCon 2025.
The Recycling Partnership has also highlighted St. Peters as an example of systemwide recycling change, noting that expanded carts, public education, processing upgrades, and stronger end markets are working together to improve recovery.
Composting, Transfer Operations, and Campus Integration
Beyond recycling, attendees will see how St. Peters integrates transfer station operations and organics management on the same campus. The city’s composting facility uses an aerated static pile system designed by Engineered Compost Systems to process biosolids and yard trimmings. With controlled aeration, bunker walls, and biofiltration, the system enables efficient composting and odor management.
The composting operation capacity can process significant volumes of organic material and produces high-quality compost products for beneficial use. For RCon attendees, this portion of the tour will offer insight into how organics processing can complement broader municipal solid waste and recycling operations.
Operational Culture and Safety
The St. Peters Environmental Campus also demonstrates the role of leadership, employee development, and safety in running a high-performing public-sector operation. The city emphasizes efficiency, customer service, and investment in skilled employees. Staff are given time and support to participate in leadership development, reinforcing the idea that leadership is not limited to a title.
Safety is another focus area. The operation incorporates lockout/tagout procedures, color-coded safety systems, and fire safety awareness, reflecting a proactive approach to protecting workers and infrastructure. These details will be especially relevant for RCon attendees interested in practical ways to strengthen operational safety culture.
What RCon 2026 Attendees Can Expect
During RCon 2026 in St. Louis, the St. Peters Environmental Campus will be offered as a tour option throughout the week. The Recycle City tour is expected to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the MRF, transfer station operations, and composting facility. Participants will be offered headsets so they can clearly hear the tour guides while they view operations from an observation room, making this an accessible tour option for attendees who may not be able to tour the full facility.
Machinex is also expected to participate in the tour, offering attendees additional perspective on the equipment and technology behind the upgraded MRF. For professionals focused on recycling operations, collection efficiency, contamination reduction, organics management, workforce development, or infrastructure planning, the St. Peters Environmental Campus tour will provide a valuable real-world case study.
By bringing together collection modernization, processing upgrades, strong public education, and an integrated campus model, St. Peters offers RCon 2026 attendees a compelling look at how communities can build more efficient, resilient, and effective resource recovery systems.