Organics recycling for residents

About one-third of our trash is organic materials, including food, food-soiled paper, and certified compostable products, that could be composted. Organics recycling is the best opportunity to reduce our trash and put it to better use.

Materials accepted for organics recycling

See the organics recycling guide (PDF) for a list of materials accepted in organics recycling programs throughout Hennepin County.

Check with your city recycling coordinator or waste hauler for the most accurate information on organics recycling service availability in your city, program setup, and materials accepted.

Organics recycling basics

Review the basics of how organics recycling works and materials accepted (PDF).

Order residential organics recycling labels and guides

Free resources, including container labels and guides, are available to Hennepin County residents to improve recycling and organics recycling in your home and to distribute to friends and neighbors.

See what's available and order free resources.

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What you can compost – detailed yes and no list

Basic organics recycling list

Brush up on the basics to make sure you're putting the right things in the organics recycling. See our organics recycling guide (PDF) for the list of what's accepted. These items can be successfully broken down by microbes at commercial composting facilities and turned into nutrient-rich compost that is used to improve soil in gardens, farms, and landscaping projects. The guide also includes the most important items to leave out because they cause problems in the composting process.

Note that the list of accepted items is for organics recycling pickup and drop-off programs. Fewer items can be put in backyard compost bins since they don’t reach high enough temperatures to safely break down certain items.

Find a detailed list of accepted and not accepted items below.

The importance of composting the right things

Organics recycling is the best way to reduce the amount of waste put in our trash bins - helping to move us closer to our zero waste and climate action goals. You can help ensure the success and sustainability of organics recycling programs by putting the right materials in the organics bin.

Compost sites need to receive organics with low levels of contamination, or materials that cannot be composted, so they can produce clean, nutrient-rich compost that people want to purchase and use. Compost that contains plastic, glass, and other contaminants is very difficult to sell and can only be used for low-end, low-value purposes.

If you aren’t sure what to do with an item or are not sure it's compostable, refer to the organics recycling guide (PDF) or put it in the trash.

Detailed organics recycling list

Food

A note about food: If you’re unsure where to start with organics recycling, focus on collecting food. Spoiled food and food scraps are the most common material in the trash and the most nutrient-rich material in the composting process, making them the most important material to collect for organics recycling.

Accepted:

All food, including:

Bread and cereal
Cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products and non-dairy alternatives
Dough, pastries, and pies
Eggs and eggshells
Fruits and vegetables including peels, pits, shells, and rinds (remove produce stickers)
Leftovers
Meat, fish, bones, and shellfish, including scales and shells
Nuts and shells
Pasta, grains, beans, and rice
Pet food

Not accepted:

Black Walnut shells (these shells contain a toxin called juglone that is deadly to many plants)
Chewing gum
Grease, oil, or other liquids (small amounts are okay)

Paper products and packaging

Accepted:

BPI certified compostable products including cups, plates, bowls, containers, parchment, and wax paper (must have the BPI logo or say BPI certified on the product or its container)
Food-soiled pizza boxes from delivery (clean, empty, and grease-free pizza boxes may be accepted for recycling by your program)
Napkins and food-soiled paper towels
Paper bags soiled with food or grease (if they are not soiled, put them in the recycling)
Paper egg cartons (remove sticker labels)
Paper towel and toilet paper rolls (while these are accepted for organics recycling, putting them in the recycling is preferred)

Not accepted:

Asian takeout food pails (unless BPI certified)
Butcher paper, parchment paper, wax paper, and muffin cups (unless BPI certified)
Cartons, including milk cartons, juice boxes, and soup, broth, and wine cartons (these are accepted for recycling)
Coated paper, such as the backing for stickers and labels and pull tabs from restaurants and bars
Fast food wrappers, such as fry bags and burger or sandwich wrappers (unless BPI certified)
Ice cream containers
Microwave popcorn bags
Paper printed with foil or other metallic elements, like glitter
Paper products, including to-go coffee and drink cups, boats, bowls, and plates, without BPI certification
Paper products, like paper towels and napkins, used with chemical-based cleaners
Products labeled “biodegradable” or PLA (polylactic acid) that are not BPI certified
Refrigerated and frozen food boxes
Receipts
Shredded paper
Waxed cardboard produce boxes
Wrapping paper, gift wrap, packing paper, and tissue paper

Other household items

Accepted:

BPI certified compostable products including cups, plates, bowls, containers, utensils, straws, bags, bamboo products, bagasse products, and single-use coffee pods (must have the BPI logo or say BPI certified on the product or its container)
Coffee grounds and filters
Cotton swabs with paper stems
Houseplants and flowers
Paper tea bags (remove staples)
Tea leaves
Wooden items such as wood chopsticks, popsicle sticks, and toothpicks

Not accepted:

Animal waste or litter
Ash from fireplaces, barbecues, or fire pits
Charcoal
Cigarettes
Cleaning and personal care wipes
Cotton balls and swabs used with products like acetone, make-up, and paint
Dental floss
Diapers
Dryer lint and dryer sheets
Floor sweepings
Incontinence products
Latex products, including gloves and balloons
Lumber and sawdust
Medicines
Menstrual products
Plastic bags or containers that are not BPI certified
Plastic, metal mesh, and synthetic tea bags
Recyclable materials (glass bottles and jars; paper and cardboard; plastic bottles, jugs, cups, and containers; cartons; metal cans)
Rocks, soil, and dirt
Rubber and rubber bands
Tape of any kind
Vacuum cleaner bags and contents
Wax and waxed products including wax paper (unless BPI certified), candle wax, car wax, and waxed bones
Yard waste

Benefits of organics recycling

The organics collected in curbside or drop-off programs are taken to a local commercial compost facility and recycled into compost, a nutrient-rich material that is used in landscaping and road construction projects to improve our soil.

Participants in organics recycling programs say it’s a surprisingly easy way to make a difference. It provides a “feel good” benefit, helps the environment, and results in a visible reduction in trash.

Why organics recycling

Provides the best opportunity to reduce our trash

Waste sort studies, like the one Hennepin County conducted in 2016, continue to show that organic materials are the largest proportion of our trash — making up about 25 percent of the trash stream.

Reduces greenhouse gas emissions

Organic materials decomposing in landfills generate methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Diverting organics to composting helps to reduce landfill methane emissions.

Improves soil and protects water

Compost is added to soil reduces the need for fertilizers. It also increases the water retention of soils, which reduces runoff and erosion that can pollute our water and helps to conserve water.

Supports a local economy

Minnesota’s composting industry supports about 700 jobs and produces $148 million in gross economic activity per year. The composting industry supports four to eight times more jobs on a per ton basis than landfilling operations.

Helps achieve our goal of zero waste to landfills

Getting organic materials out of the trash means that facilities like the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) that burn waste to generate energy have more capacity to help reduce the trash we send to landfills. In addition, sending organics to a composting facility is preferable to incineration for a number of reasons, including that organics recycling creates nutrient-rich compost and that burning wet organics is not energy efficient at waste-to-energy facilities.

Organics recycling compared to backyard composting

Backyard composting is a great way to turn fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, leaves, and grass clippings into a nutrient-rich compost that you can use to improve your soil right at home. Organics recycling allows you to conveniently compost more materials without needing to maintain a backyard compost bin.

Large-scale industrial composting facilities reach higher temperatures than backyard compost bins, killing bacteria and breaking down materials that backyard bins cannot. Additional materials accepted for organics recycling include dairy products, meat and bones, pizza boxes from delivery, and certified compostable products.

Learn more about backyard composting.

Organics recycling pickup and drop-off service city-by-city list

Residential organics recycling pickup and drop-off services

Cities are required to make organics recycling service available to residents. How the service works varies by city.

For example, you may sign up for the service through your city, or your city may require your hauler to offer the service. Additionally, cities with a population of 10,000 or less can choose to provide an organics recycling drop-off instead of making curbside organics recycling service available. Other cities may offer drop-off sites as an option for residents who don’t have access to organics recycling at home, such as people who live in apartments, condos, and townhouses.

The list below summarizes how the service works in your city. Fees vary by city or hauler. Contact your city to learn more about organics recycling service available to you.

Bloomington

Organics recycling pickup

Service available to residents with city trash and recycling service. Organics are collected in a separate cart. You must sign up to participate.

Organics recycling drop-offs

There are two organics recycling drop-off sites available to Bloomington residents at Valley View Park and West Bush Lake Park. Both sites are free and open daily. You must sign up to participate.

Learn more about Bloomington organics recycling pickup service and drop-offs.

Brooklyn Center

Brooklyn Center's recycling program is managed by the Hennepin Recycling Group, along with the cities of Crystal and New Hope.

Organics recycling pickup

Service is available through your trash hauler. Contact your hauler to sign up.

Organics recycling drop-off

The organics drop-off at the Crystal Cove Aquatics Center is open to residents of Brooklyn Center, Crystal and New Hope. You must register to participate.

Learn more about Hennepin Recycling Group organics recycling.

Brooklyn Park

Organics recycling pickup

Organics recycling is available to residents through your trash hauler. Contact your hauler to sign up.

Learn more about organics recycling in Brooklyn Park.

Champlin

Organics recycling pickup

Organics recycling is available for an additional cost to all Champlin residents with city recycling and garbage service.

Corcoran

Organics recycling drop-off

An organics recycling drop-off is available to Corcoran residents at City Hall, 8200 County Rd 116, Corcoran, MN 55340.

Learn more about the Corcoran drop-off site and sign up.

Crystal

Crystal's recycling program is managed by the Hennepin Recycling Group, along with the cities of Brooklyn Center and New Hope.

Organics recycling pickup

Service is available through your trash hauler. Contact your hauler to sign up.

Organics recycling drop-off

The organics drop-off at the Crystal Cove Aquatics Center is open to residents of Brooklyn Center, Crystal and New Hope. You must register to participate.

Learn more about Hennepin Recycling Group organics recycling.

Dayton

Organics recycling drop-off

An organics recycling drop-off site is available to Dayton residents.

Contact abenting@cityofdaytonmn.com or 763-421-1791 to sign up.

Deephaven

Organics recycling drop-off

There are three organics recycling drop-off sites available to residents of Deephaven, Greenwood, Shorewood, and Woodland.

Deephaven site:

Haralson Park, 20260 Minnetonka Boulevard, Excelsior (Deephaven), MN 55331, directions to Haralson Park

Learn more about the Deephaven site and sign up.

Shorewood sites:

Freeman Park (south entrances), 6000 Eureka Road, Excelsior (Shorewood), MN 55331, directions to Freeman Park
South Community Park, 5355 St. Alban’s Bay Road, Shorewood, MN 55331, directions to South Shore Community Park

Learn more about the Shorewood sites and sign up.

Eden Prairie

Organics recycling pickup

Organics recycling is available to residents through your trash hauler. Contact your hauler to sign up.

Learn more about organics recycling in Eden Prairie.

Edina

Organics recycling pick-up

Service is available to residents who have city-coordinated recycling service. Organics are collected in a separate cart.

Learn more about the Edina organics program.

Organics recycling drop-offs

There are three organics recycling drop-off sites available to Edina residents.

Edina Senior Center, 5280 Grandview Square, Edina, MN 55436, directions to Edina Senior Center
Community Garden, 7355 York Avenue South, Edina, MN 55435, directions to Community Garden
Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Avenue South, Edina, MN 55435, directions to Centennial Lakes Park

Learn more about organics recycling drop-offs in Edina.

Excelsior

Organics recycling pickup

Organics recycling service is available to residents who have city-coordinated garbage and recycling service. You must sign up to participate. Organics are collected in a separate cart.

Learn more about the Excelsior organics program.

Golden Valley

Organics recycling pickup

Organics recycling service is available to residents who have city-coordinated recycling service. Organics are collected in a separate cart.

Learn more about the Golden Valley organics program.

Greenfield

Organics recycling drop-off

An organics recycling drop-off is available to Greenfield residents at Greenfield City Hall, 7738 Commerce Circle, Greenfield, MN 55373, directions to Greenfield City Hall

Call the city at 763-477-6464 to get access.

Greenwood

Organics recycling drop-off

There are three organics recycling drop-off sites available to residents of Deephaven, Greenwood, Shorewood, and Woodland.

Deephaven site:

Haralson Park, 20260 Minnetonka Boulevard, Excelsior (Deephaven), MN 55331, directions to Haralson Park

Learn more about the Deephaven site and sign up.

Shorewood sites:

Freeman Park (south entrances), 6000 Eureka Road, Excelsior (Shorewood), MN 55331, directions to Freeman Park
South Community Park, 5355 St. Alban’s Bay Road, Shorewood, MN 55331, directions to South Shore Community Park

Learn more about the Shorewood sites and sign up.

Hanover

Organics recycling drop-off

An organics recycling drop-off is available to Hanover residents at Hanover City Hall, 11250 5th St NE, Hanover, MN 55341, directions to Hanover City Hall

Residents can sign up by visiting city hall during normal hours.

Hopkins

Organics recycling pickup

Organics recycling service is available to residents who have city-coordinated garbage and recycling service. You must sign up to participate. Organics are collected in a separate cart.

Organics recycling drop-off site

Hopkins residential garbage customers may bring their household organics to the Minnetonka-Hopkins Recycling Center, 11522 Minnetonka Boulevard, Hopkins, MN 55305, directions to Minnetonka-Hopkins Recycling Center.

The drop off site is open 24/7.

Learn more about the Hopkins organics recycling program.

Independence

Organics recycling drop-off

An organics drop-off site is available to Independence residents at Independence City Hall, 1920 County Rd 90, Independence, MN 55359, directions to Independence City Hall.

You must sign up to participate by calling 763-479-0527.

Learn more about the Independence drop-off site.

Long Lake

Organics recycling pick-up

Organics recycling is available to residents through your trash hauler. Contact your hauler to sign up.

Learn more about organics recycling in Long Lake.

Loretto

Organics recycling pick-up

Organics recycling service is available through Republic Service's Blue Bag organics recycling program.

Organics are collected in certified compostable blue bags provided by Republic and placed in your trash cart. The certified compostable bags are later separated from the trash bags and sent to commercial composting facility.

Learn more about Loretto’s organics program.

Maple Grove

Organics recycling pickup

Organics recycling is available to residents through your trash hauler. Contact your hauler to sign up.

Learn more about organics recycling in Maple Grove.

Maple Plain

Organics recycling pickup

Organics recycling service is available through Republic Service's Blue Bag organics recycling program.

Organics are collected in certified compostable bags provided by Republic and placed in your trash cart. The certified compostable bags are later separated from the trash bags and sent to a commercial composting facility.

Learn more about Maple Plain’s organics recycling program.

Medicine Lake

Organics recycling pickup

Organics recycling service is available through Republic Service's Blue Bag organics recycling program.

Organics are collected in certified compostable blue bags and placed in your trash cart. The certified compostable bags are later separated from the trash bags and sent to a commercial composting facility.

Medina

Organics recycling pickup

Organics are collected in certified compostable bags and placed in your trash cart. The certified compostable bags are later separated from the trash bags and sent to a commercial composting facility.

Learn more about Medina’s organics program.

Minneapolis

Organics recycling pickup

Service is available to all residents with city-coordinated garbage and recycling service. Organics are collected in a separate cart. You must sign up to participate.

Learn more about Minneapolis' organics recycling program.

Organics recycling drop-offs

There are 20 drop-off locations throughout Minneapolis for city residents, including at parks, the city’s South Transfer Station, and The Wedge Community Co-op.

Learn more about Minneapolis locations and sign up.

Minnetonka

Organics recycling pickup

Organics recycling is available to residents through your trash hauler. Contact your hauler to sign up.

Learn more about organics recycling in Minnetonka.

Organics recycling drop-off site

Minnetonka residential garbage customers may bring their household organics to the Minnetonka-Hopkins Recycling Center, 11522 Minnetonka Boulevard, Hopkins, MN 55305, directions to Minnetonka-Hopkins Recycling Center.

The drop off site is open 24/7.

Learn more about the Minnetonka organics drop-off site.

Minnetonka Beach

Organic recycling drop-off

Minnetonka Beach residents may bring their household organics to the Minnetonka Beach Public Works Facility, 2510 Woodbridge Road, Wayzata, MN 55391, directions to Minnetonka Beach Public Works Facility. The drop off site is open 24/7.

Contact City Hall at info@ci.minnetonka-beach.mn.us or 952-471-8878 to sign up.

Minnetrista

Organics recycling drop-off

Minnetrista residents may bring their household organics to the drop-off site located near the Public Works Garage, 7701 County Road 110 West, Minnetrista, MN 55364, directions to Minnetrista drop-off site.

Learn more about the Minnetrista program and sign up.

Mound

Organics recycling drop-off

Mound residents and Shorewood Island residents may bring their household organics to the drop-off site located in the parking lot of the Mound Centennial Building at 5341 Maywood Rd, Mound, MN 55364, directions to Mound Centennial Building.

Learn more about the Mound program and sign up.

New Hope

New Hope's recycling program is managed by the Hennepin Recycling Group, along with the cities of Brooklyn Center and Crystal.

Organics recycling pickup

Service is available through your trash hauler. Contact your hauler to sign up.

Organics recycling drop-off

The organics drop-off at the Crystal Cove Aquatics Center is open to residents of Brooklyn Center, Crystal and New Hope. You must register to participate.

Learn more about Hennepin Recycling Group organics recycling.

Orono

Organics recycling drop-off

An organics recycling drop-off site is available to Orono residents.

Learn more about the Orono drop-off site and sign up.

Osseo

Organics recycling pickup

Organics are collected in certified compostable bags and placed in your trash cart. The certified compostable bags are separated from the trash bags and sent to a commercial composting facility.

To become an organics customer, contact Walter's at 763-780-8464.

Learn more about organics recycling in Osseo.

Plymouth

Organics recycling pickup

Service is available to all residents with city-coordinated recycling service. Organics are collected in a separate cart. You must sign up to participate.

Learn more about Plymouth’s organics recycling program.

Organics recycling drop-off

An organics recycling drop-off site is available to Plymouth residents at the Plymouth Maintenance Facility, 14900 23rd Ave. N, Plymouth, MN 55447

The drop-off site is open 24/7.

Learn more about the Plymouth drop-off site.

Richfield

Organics recycling pickup

Service is available to all residents with city-coordinated trash and recycling service. Organics are collected in a separate cart. You must sign up to participate.

Learn more about Richfield’s organics recycling program.

Organics recycling drop-off

Two organics recycling drop-off sites are available for Richfield residents:

Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive South, Richfield, MN 55423, directions to Wood Lake Nature Center
House of Prayer Church, 7625 Chicago Avenue, Richfield, MN 55423, directions to House of Prayer Church

Learn more about the Richfield drop-offs.

Robbinsdale

Organics recycling pickup

Service is available to all residents with city-coordinated garbage and recycling service. Organics are collected in a separate cart. You must sign up to participate.

Learn more about Robbinsdale’s organics recycling program.

Rockford

Your hauler may offer organics recycling service. Contact your hauler for more information.

Rogers

Your hauler may offer organics recycling service. Contact your hauler for more information.

St. Anthony Village

Organics recycling drop-off

An organics recycling drop-off site is available for St. Anthony Village residents at city hall, 3301 Silver Lake Road, St. Anthony, MN 55418, directions to St. Anthony Village City Hall

The drop-off site is open 24/7.

St. Bonifacius

Organics recycling pickup

Organics recycling service is available through Republic Service's Blue Bag organics recycling program.

Learn more about St. Bonifacius’ organics program.

St. Louis Park

Organics recycling pickup

Service is available to all residents with city-coordinated recycling service. Organics are collected in a separate cart. You must sign up to participate.

Learn more about St. Louis Park's organics program.

Organics recycling drop-offs

Drop-off sites are available for residents who live in apartment buildings and townhomes.

Learn about options for multifamily residents in St. Louis Park and sign up.

Shorewood

Organics recycling drop-off

There are three organics recycling drop-off sites available to residents of Deephaven, Greenwood, Shorewood, and Woodland.

Deephaven site:

Haralson Park, 20260 Minnetonka Boulevard, Excelsior (Deephaven), MN 55331, directions to Haralson Park

Learn more about the Deephaven site and sign up.

Shorewood sites:

Freeman Park (south entrances), 6000 Eureka Road, Excelsior (Shorewood), MN 55331, directions to Freeman Park
South Community Park, 5355 St. Alban’s Bay Road, Shorewood, MN 55331, directions to South Shore Community Park

Learn more about the Shorewood sites and sign up.

Spring Park

Organics recycling drop-off

An organics recycling drop-off site is available to Spring Park residents at City Hall, 4349 Warren Avenue, Spring Park, MN 55384, directions to Spring Park City Hall.

Call the city at 952-471-9051 to register and receive the padlock code.

Tonka Bay

Your hauler may offer organics recycling service. Contact your hauler for more information.

Wayzata

Organics recycling pickup

Organics recycling service is available through Republic Service's Blue Bag organics recycling program.

Learn more about Wayzata’s organics recycling program.

Woodland

Organics recycling drop-off

There are three organics recycling drop-off sites available to residents of Deephaven, Greenwood, Shorewood, and Woodland.

Deephaven site:

Haralson Park, 20260 Minnetonka Boulevard, Excelsior (Deephaven), MN 55331, directions to Haralson Park

Learn more about the Deephaven site and sign up.

Shorewood sites:

Freeman Park (south entrances), 6000 Eureka Road, Excelsior (Shorewood), MN 55331, directions to Freeman Park
South Community Park, 5355 St. Alban’s Bay Road, Shorewood, MN 55331, directions to South Shore Community Park

Learn more about the Shorewood sites and sign up.

Organics recycling at Hennepin County drop-off facilities

All Hennepin County residents can bring organics recycling to the Hennepin County drop-off facilities in Brooklyn Park and Bloomington

Organics are accepted for free Tuesday through Saturday during normal facility hours. Limit of five bags per person per day. Organics must be brought in BPI-certified compostable plastic bags. Learn more about organics at drop-off facilities.

Organics recycling drop-off locations

Organics recycling drop-offs can be a good option for residents that don’t have organics recycling service available yet. That includes those who live in cities where it isn’t offered and those who live in apartment buildings, condos and townhomes that don’t have access to their city’s residential service.

Organics recycling drop-off locations

The following drop-off options are available.

Hennepin County drop-off facilities in Brooklyn Park and Bloomington

Bloomington

There are two organics recycling drop-off sites available to Bloomington residents:

Valley View Park: 201 90th Street East, Bloomington, MN 55420, directions to Valley View Park
West Bush Lake Park, 95th Street and West Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, MN 55438, directions to West Bush Lake Park

Both sites are free and open daily. Learn more about the Bloomington organics drop-offs.

Corcoran

An organics recycling drop-off is available to Corcoran residents at City Hall, 8200 County Rd 116, Corcoran, MN 55340.

Learn more about the Corcoran drop-off site and sign up.

Crystal

The organics drop-off in Crystal is available to residents of Brooklyn Center, Crystal and New Hope.

Crystal Cove Aquatics Center, 4848 Douglas Drive North, Crystal, MN 55429, directions to Crystal Cove Aquatics Center

Learn more about the Crystal drop-off site and sign up.

Dayton

An organics recycling drop-off site is available to Dayton residents.

Contact abenting@cityofdaytonmn.com or 763-421-1791 to sign up.

Deephaven, Greenwood, Shorewood and Woodland

There are three organics recycling drop-off sites available to Deephaven, Greenwood, Shorewood and Woodland residents.

Deephaven site:

Haralson Park, 20260 Minnetonka Boulevard, Excelsior (Deephaven), MN 55331, directions to Haralson Park

Learn more about the Deephaven site and sign up.

Shorewood sites:

Freeman Park (south entrances), 6000 Eureka Road, Excelsior (Shorewood), MN 55331, directions to Freeman Park
South Community Park, 5355 St. Alban’s Bay Road, Shorewood, MN 55331, directions to South Shore Community Park

Learn more about the Shorewood sites and sign up.

Edina

There are three organics recycling drop-off sites available to Edina residents.

Edina Senior Center, 5280 Grandview Square, Edina, MN 55436, directions to Edina Senior Center
Community Garden, 7355 York Avenue South, Edina, MN 55435, directions to Community Garden
Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Avenue South, Edina, MN 55435, directions to Centennial Lakes Park

Learn more about organics recycling in Edina.

Greenfield

An organics recycling drop-off is available to Greenfield residents at Greenfield City Hall, 7738 Commerce Circle, Greenfield, MN 55373, directions to Greenfield City Hall

Call the city at 763-477-6464 to get access.

Hanover

An organics recycling drop-off is available to Hanover residents at Hanover City Hall, 11250 5th St NE, Hanover, MN 55341, directions to Hanover City Hall

Residents can sign up by visiting city hall during normal hours.

Hopkins

The drop off site is open 24/7. Learn more about organics recycling in Hopkins.

Independence

An organics drop-off site is available to Independence residents at Independence City Hall, 1920 County Rd 90, Independence, MN 55359, directions to Independence City Hall

You must sign up to participate by calling 763-479-0527.

Learn more about the Independence drop-off site.

Minneapolis

There are 20 drop-off locations throughout Minneapolis for city residents, including at parks, the city’s South Transfer Station, and The Wedge Community Co-op. Learn more about Minneapolis locations and sign up.

Minnetonka Beach

The drop off site is open 24/7. Contact City Hall at info@ci.minnetonka-beach.mn.us or 952-471-8878 to sign up.

Minnetrista

Learn more about the Minnetrista program.

Mound

Orono

An organics recycling drop-off site is available to Orono residents. Learn more about the site and sign up.

Plymouth

An organics recycling drop-off site is available to Plymouth residents at the Plymouth Maintenance Facility, 14900 23rd Ave. N, Plymouth, MN 55447

The drop-off site is open 24/7.

Learn more about the Plymouth drop-off site.

Richfield

Two organics recycling drop-off sites are available for Richfield residents:

Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive South, Richfield, MN 55423, directions to Wood Lake Nature Center
House of Prayer Church, 7625 Chicago Avenue, Richfield, MN 55423, directions to House of Prayer Church

Learn more about the Richfield drop-offs.

Spring Park

An organics recycling drop-off site is available to Spring Park residents at City Hall, 4349 Warren Avenue, Spring Park, MN 55384, directions to Spring Park City Hall

Call the city at 952-471-9051 to register and receive the padlock code.

St. Anthony Village

An organics recycling drop-off site is available for St. Anthony Village residents at city hall, 3301 Silver Lake Road, St. Anthony, MN 55418, directions to St. Anthony Village City Hall

The drop-off site is open 24/7.

St. Louis Park

Drop-off sites are available for residents who live in apartment buildings and townhomes. Learn about options for multifamily residents in St. Louis Park and sign up.

Setting up organics recycling at home

You’re ready to start organics recycling at home. Great!

Some steps you may need to take to get started include making space for your cart, figuring out your setup room-by-room, and getting the supplies you need.

View our presentation on setting up organics recycling at home (PDF) for information and ideas
See our setting up organics recycling at home brochure (PDF)
Browse Minneapolis's guide for setting up organics recycling at home (PDF) for some additional good ideas (note that not all of this information will apply to all programs).
See the tips and ideas below.

Making space for your cart

If you’re participating in a program where you get a separate cart for organics recycling, determine where you will put your cart. To make space (and potentially save some money), you may be able to downsize to a smaller garbage cart.

Setting up room-by-room

Kitchen

Start here as this is where most organics recycling is generated, and focus first on collecting food. Spoiled food and food scraps are the most common material in the trash and the most valuable material in the composting process, which makes them the most important material to start collecting for organics recycling.

You will generally need a collection container and compostable bags. Choose a container and location that will work for you.

If you have issues with pests or smells or want your compostable bags to last longer, consider keeping a container in the fridge or freezer for “wet” organics like fruit, vegetable, and meat scraps.

Expand to other rooms

You can also collect organics in the bathroom, bedrooms and office.

Remember items like paper towels, cotton balls, hair, and pet fur are accepted for organics recycling.

Getting the supplies you need

Collection containers

There are many options for collection containers. You can purchase simple or fancy countertop collection containers, convert an existing bin to an organics recycling bin, reuse a coffee can or ice cream pail, or use something as simple as a bowl on your kitchen counter. Choose something that works for you in your space.

Compostable bags

Your organics must be bagged before you place them in your organics cart. Acceptable bags generally include BPI-certified compostable bags. Some programs also allow you to use Kraft paper bags.

BPI-certified compostable bags may be provided by your city or hauler, or they can be purchased at most retail or grocery stores or ordered online. If you are purchasing your own, you may want to try different brands to find what works for you - they will all perform differently.

Check to see what items need to be bagged for your program. Some programs allow you to put larger items like pizza boxes from delivery and paper egg cartons into your cart without being bagged.

Labels for your bins

Well-labeled bins help everyone in your household know what goes where. Order free labels and guides.

Certified compostable products

There can be a lot of confusion regarding compostability of paper and plastic plates, cups, bowls, containers and utensils.

Certified compostable products, including paper and plastic plates, bowls, cups, containers, and utensils, are accepted for organics recycling. Certified compostable products must have the BPI logo or the term “certified compostable” to be accepted.

Paper items that have a shiny or smooth surface, such as coffee cups, to-go containers, and ice cream tubs, likely have a plastic lining and are not accepted in the organics program unless they are identified as a certified compostable item.

If an item doesn’t have the BPI logo or isn't identified as certified compostable and you’re unsure whether or not it’s compostable, it’s best to put that item in the trash. This will help ensure the organics recycling is clean and free of contamination.

Preventing wasted food

Prevent food waste in the first place

While composting is great for disposing of food scraps and other compostable materials, preventing wasted food is even more important and more impactful.

Making simple changes and working to adopt new habits can have a big impact. Creating and following a meal plan, keeping track of and using up the food you buy, understanding date labels, and learning how to properly store and process food can all significantly reduce the amount of food waste you generate.

The following resources are available to help you reduce food waste:

Create meals, not waste: Planning ahead to reduce food waste, Hennepin County Climate Action article
Eating the food you buy: Storing food to make it last, Hennepin County Climate Action article
Save the Food has ideas on meal planning, recipes for leftovers, food storage tips, and more
Refrigerator insider (PDF), tips for storing food to make it last

Requirements for cities to offer organics recycling

Organics recycling requirement for cities

Cities are required to make organics recycling service available to all households with curbside recycling service as of January 1, 2022. This requirement was part of revisions the county made to its recycling ordinance (Ordinance 13) in November 2018.

More details about the requirements

The ordinance offers flexibility in how cities meet the requirement so they can develop an approach based on the needs of their community. Cities may contract for citywide service or require haulers to provide the service.
The requirement generally includes single family households and buildings with up to four units.
Cities with a population of 10,000 or less can choose to provide at least one organics recycling drop-off option instead of making curbside organics recycling service available.

Why organics recycling is important

The county values supporting a healthy environment for all, which includes reducing our waste and recycling as much as we can. Diverting organic materials is the biggest opportunity to reduce our trash. Waste sort studies, like ones conducted by Hennepin County in 2016 and Minneapolis in 2022, show that organics materials make up 25% to 35% of our trash.

Significantly increasing the collection of organic material is important to achieving the county’s zero waste and climate action goals. Hennepin County is committed to achieving a zero-waste future, which the county defines as diverting 90% of waste from landfills or incinerators.

Requirements related to paying for organics recycling

Minnesota has a state statute (Minnesota State Statute 115A.93) requiring that residents who participate in an organics program are not charged more than those who do not participate. Cities are required by Hennepin County to offer organics, and state law requires that all residents must be charged for organics recycling service in communities where the service is available.

Research shows that making organics recycling service available and paid for by everyone makes the service more affordable for residents overall. Keeping prices affordable encourages residents to use the organics program.

While households are not required to participate in the organics program, they are not able to opt out of paying for the program. Similar to recycling, all residents help cover the cost of the organics program to make it accessible to all households.

For more information, see frequently asked questions about organics recycling from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

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