Organics Recycling for Schools

The vast majority of waste produced at schools is recyclable or compostable. Hennepin County has helped numerous schools set up organics collection programs by providing technical assistance and resources.

Benefits of organics recycling programs

Recycling organics in schools provides environmental, educational and financial benefits: 

• Environmental: Leftover food can be donated to organizations that supply food for people in need, or organic waste can be fed to animals or recycled into compost rather than being landfilled or incinerated.
• Educational: Organics recycling presents hands-on environmental education opportunities that provide a forum for teaching many scientific topics, such as decomposition, pollution, habitat loss, microbiology, chemistry and soil ecology.
• Financial: Schools can reduce disposal costs and taxes associated with solid waste disposal.

Types of organics programs for schools

The following types of organics programs can be implemented in schools:

• Food-to-People Programs. Donate edible food to organizations that help people in need.
• Food-to-Livestock Programs. Have your food processed into feed for livestock
• Organics Composting. Have your food scraps and food-soiled paper products turned into valuable compost.

Setting up an organics recycling program

See the Best Practices Guide for Organics Recycling in Schools for answers to some frequently asked questions.

See the guidelines and tips for setting up an organics recycling program for more information on:

• Basic steps for setting up an organics recycling program.
• Common organic waste in schools and common areas in schools to collect organics.
• Tips and lessons learned.

Resources

School waste study

A school waste sort study, conducted by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Hennepin County and City of Minneapolis, gives some key insights into waste generation at schools, including that nearly 80 percent of school waste could be recycled.

Funding

Schools can get funding to start an organics recycling program through the School Recycling Assistance Program.

Waste sort guide

Interested in learning more about the amount and type of waste produced at your schools by conducting a waste audit or waste sort? 

Check out our How-to Guide for Conducting a Waste Sort for step-by-step instructions for conducting a waste sort, including how to organize  and set up the sort, what equipment you will need, and how to collect data with sample data sheets. 

Sample brochure text

Use the sample organics program brochure text to develop promotional materials for your program.

Posters and container labels

The posters and container labels can be used to set up your collection program and help ensure that materials are placed in the appropriate container.

Case studies and project examples

Learn more about programs developed by school districts.

• Robbinsdale School District case study
• Minneapolis Public Schools organics recycling web page
• Read how one parent got organics recycling started at her child's school in Edina.

Videos

• Carondelet Catholic School - First graders check the progress of the organics program. See video.
• Minneapolis Public Schools - Information about the set up and implementation of the organics recycling program in schools. See video.
• Countryside Elementary, Edina Public Schools - Student-narrated video about how to sort  lunch waste into organics, recycling and trash. See video (.wmv).
• Brooklyn Center School composting video.

Participating schools

Approximately 140 schools in Hennepin County have an organics recycling program. The following are some of the schools and school districts that are recycling organic waste. 

Public school districts

• Anoka-Hennepin
• Brooklyn Center ISD 286
• Edina ISD 273
• Hopkins ISD 270
• Minneapolis ISD 1
• Minnetonka ISD 276
• St. Anthony
• St. Louis Park ISD 283
• Orono ISD 278
• Wayzata ISD 284

Colleges

• Augsburg College
• Northwest Health Sciences University
• The University of Minnesota

Non-public schools

• Annunciation School
• Blake Schools
• Benilde-St. Margaret’s School
• Breck School
• Carondelet Catholic School
• Minnehaha Academy
• Nativity of Mary School
• Sacred Heart Catholic School
• St. Charles Borromeo School
• Yinghua Academy