WLSSD Celebrates 50 Years This Saturday

DULUTH, Minn. — Get your party hats on – WLSSD is celebrating 50 years of being the Solid Waste Authority this Saturday.

Since 1974 WLSSD has been in charge of responsible solid waste management. This means creating the rules and providing resources for managing solid waste such as trash, recycling, and more. This Saturday they are holding an open house at their Materials Recovery Center to celebrate their achievements.

“It feels like the little actions you do to reduce waste just don’t have that big of an impact, but it really adds up. And like what a time like 50 years to look back. I mean you look at Duluth 50 years ago, Canal Park was junkyards right down to the water as far as the eye could see. And the St. Louis River was so polluted that fish couldn’t swim in it so you wouldn’t swim there. You couldn’t fish there. And a lot has changed in the past 50 years. We have a swimmable fishable river. we have beautiful tourist destinations and a thriving community. And a lot of those outcomes in like public health and economic development are due to proper waste management and having a place for this stuff to go,” said Emma Pardini, Environmental Program Coordinator.

They will be holding giveaways, signups for Fix-It Clinics, live demonstrations, and much more. Festivities will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Materials Recovery Center.