Organics are a resource, not a waste! Here's how the organics recycling cycle works:

1. You separate your food scraps, coffee grounds, paper towels, tissues and other organics into a certified compostable bag in your home.
2. You put your bagged organics into the organics recycling cart provided by your hauler, Curbside Waste.
3. Curbside Waste picks up your organics recycling and brings it to a commercial composting facility. In just a few months, the materials are recycled into nutrient-rich compost.
4. Compost is used in gardens and at farms to add nutrients to the soil to help plants grow.

 

The following materials are accepted for organics recycling:

• All food: Including fruits, vegetables, meat, bones, dairy products, eggshells, pasta, bread, and nuts
• Food-soiled paper: Pizza boxes from delivery, napkins, paper towels, and paper egg cartons
• Certified compostable products: Certified compostable paper and plastic cups, plates, bowls, utensils and containers. Look for the term “compostable” or the BPI logo on certified products.
• Other compostable household items: Including coffee grounds and filters, facial tissues, houseplants and flowers, and wooden items such as chopsticks, popsicle sticks, and toothpicks 

Compost sites need to receive organics with low levels of contamination (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 difficult to sell and can only be used for low-end, low-value purposes.

Some of the most important items to keep out of the organics recycling are:

• Glass
• Plastic items, including food stickers, utensils, and Styrofoam™
• Plastic-coated paper items like coffee and soda cups
• Fast food wrappers and condiment packets
• Uncertified to-go containers and not certified compostable products labeled “biodegradable”
• Diapers, sanitary products, and cleaning wipes
• Grease or oil

Every dwelling unit will be charged a monthly fee of $3.50 for organics recycling service, reflected as $7.00 on your bimonthly utility bill.

Carts are delivered at the end of the month. When you sign up for organics recycling service, the city will contact you and let you know when your cart will be delivered. Sign up for service goes until the 3rd Wednesday of the month.

You will receive a 32-gallon organics recycling cart.

Organics recycling is picked up weekly on Wednesdays.

Call 763-504-2872 or email customerservice@curbsidewaste.com to notify them.

Robbinsdale residents participating in organics recycling will receive a separate cart for organics recycling so it is important to determine where you will put your cart. It may work well to store your new cart next to your existing trash and recycling carts. Another option is to store it close to your back door or garage door, as you may be taking your organics out more frequently than your other waste. Figure out what’s most convenient for you!

It’s best to start in the kitchen as this is where most organics recycling is generated. You will generally need a collection container and compostable bags.

When you’re first getting started, it can be easiest to focus on collecting food. Spoiled food and food scraps are the most common material in the trash and are valuable in the composting process, which makes them the most important material to start collecting for organics recycling.

Once you are comfortable sorting your food scraps, start collecting napkins, paper towels, tissues and other non-recyclable or food-soiled paper for organics recycling as well. You can also add certified compostable paper and plastic plates, bowls, cups, containers, utensils, and other products

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 fruits, vegetables, and meat scraps.

Expand to other rooms

You can also collect organics in the bathroom, bedrooms and office. Remember items like tissues, paper towels, cotton balls, hair, and pet fur are accepted for organics recycling.

Collection containers

There are many options for collection containers. You can purchase simple to 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. Organics collection containers can be purchased at most retail, grocery, or hardware stores.

Compostable bags

Most programs require that you bag your organics in certified compostable bags before placing it in your cart. These may be provided by your city or hauler, or they can be purchased at most retail or grocery stores or ordered online. Check out the Welna Ace Hardware in downtown Robbinsdale to purchase compostable bags. 

As you get started, you may want to try different brands as they will all perform differently. It may take some time to figure out what works best for you.

Also 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. You can order labels at www.hennepin.us/organics or get creative and make your own!

Once you’ve gathered everything you need and set up your collection containers both inside and outside your home, you’re ready to make a difference with organics recycling! Participants in organics recycling programs say it provides a feel good benefit, helps the environment, and results in a visible reduction in trash. Learn more about the impact you can have at www.hennepin.us/organics.