Environmental Stewardship: Milorganite®
Over 95 Years of Recycling
The production of Milorganite fertilizer is one of the nation’s oldest recycling efforts. Since 1926, Milwaukee has safely recycled the nutrient-rich microbes resulting from the city’s water reclamation process into Milorganite's slow-release nitrogen fertilizer. Consumers can safely apply these valuable recycled nutrients to their lawns, flowers, vegetables, shrubs, and trees.
Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District: Solutions for a Cleaner Environment
Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Milorganite products are manufactured and marketed by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), a regional government agency whose primary focus is to provide water reclamation and flood management to the Greater Milwaukee area, servicing approximately 1.1 million customers in 28 communities. MMSD continues to be a national leader in green solutions and has transformed its approach to water management.
Natural Commitment to the Environment
Our operational decisions and actions are guided by environmental stewardship. As one of the nation's oldest recycling programs, establishing and maintaining sustainable practices are naturally core values to Milorganite and MMSD.
MMSD focuses on preserving the natural environment not only by producing Milorganite but also by how Milorganite is produced. We’re always seeking ways to reduce energy consumption, waste, and emissions. Through our products, services, operations, and community involvement, we promote the efficient use of resources to benefit all people and the planet.
A Sustainable Vision
MMSD continues to be a national leader in green solutions to protect our freshwater sources. We continue to implement green infrastructure practices to help stop runoff pollution by capturing rainwater for later use or to naturally filter back into groundwater supplies. Rain gardens, native landscaping, green roofs, disconnecting downspouts, and rain barrels, among other efforts, mimic natural habitats and absorb excess water. These efforts help conserve water, preserve water quality, and reduce waterway pollution.
We're dedicated to lessening the impact of our operations on the environment. We’re creating value where others may only see waste. Our landfill gas initiative reduced our dependence on both natural gas and electricity from the grid. Pre-treated landfill gas will continue to be used to generate the majority of our energy for the next 20 years.
MMSD has a vision to significantly reduce energy consumption. By 2035 MMSD will have 80 percent of its energy supplied from renewable sources. Milorganite is already using alternative energy sources such as solar, landfill gas, and digester methane in its production facilities to achieve this goal.
