Yes, please do! Giving us a quick call is the most important first step. We’ll get your account updated, which lets our driver know to look for your special organics bag. Plus, as a thank you, we’ll give you a small discount on your trash bill since you’ll be sending less to the landfill!
You can begin as soon as you have your approved compostable bags! Just make sure you’ve called us first to get everything set up in our system. Once you’re signed up, you’re ready to start.
Good question! It’s best to store them in a cool, dry place like a pantry or under the sink. Try to avoid warm spots (like a garage in the summer), as the heat can shorten the lifespan of the bags and make them brittle.
Simply tie the bag securely in a knot (no twist ties, please!). Then, place it right on top of the other trash inside your regular trash cart. This makes it easy for our driver to spot and grab on collection day.
We know there are a lot of options out there, but for this program to work, we ask that you only use the approved brand. We’ve tested many different bags, and others are often too thin and can break easily, creating a mess for both you and our drivers. And please remember, never use regular plastic bags, as they won’t break down and will contaminate the compost.
Great question! “BPI Certified” is like an official seal of approval. It means an item has been scientifically tested to ensure it will break down completely and safely in a large-scale commercial composting facility. You can always spot these products by looking for the BPI logo on the item or its box.
This is one of the biggest perks! Commercial compost facilities get much hotter (around 150°F) than backyard bins. This high heat allows you to compost things you normally can’t, like meat, fish, bones, dairy products, and all of your food-soiled paper.
You shouldn’t notice any difference. After all, you’re just putting the same food scraps in a different bag! If you’re ever worried about fruit flies, we recommend using a kitchen pail with a snug-fitting lid.
There are so many! From reducing landfill waste to creating healthy soil for our community, composting is a powerful way to make a difference.
Please keep yard waste separate. These special bags are designed for kitchen scraps only. If you need yard waste pickup, just give us a call at 763-780-8464, and we can easily set that up for you!
To find our more about our yard waste program click here.
After you place the bag in your cart, our drivers spot it, pull it out, and put it in a separate compartment on the truck. From there, it goes to a special facility where it’s transformed into nutrient-rich compost that’s great for the earth.
It makes a huge impact! Up to a third of what we throw away is organic material. By composting it, you’re helping to reduce greenhouse gases, save landfill space, and create a valuable new product. It’s a simple switch at home that’s great for our planet!
t’s a huge opportunity to make a difference! Did you know that food scraps can make up about a third of our trash? Instead of letting that valuable resource go to waste in a landfill, this program helps us turn it back into healthy, rich soil. It’s a simple way for us all to help Minnesota reach its recycling goals and create a healthier environment.
That’s a great question! It all comes down to being simple, smart, and efficient. By using these bags, we can collect your food scraps without needing extra trucks on the road, which is better for our air and keeps costs down. This system is also more inclusive, allowing everyone to participate easily, no matter what kind of home you live in.
It means we’re taking our time to get it right! This is a big, new program, and we want to ensure it runs smoothly for everyone. By introducing it to new neighborhoods in stages, we can learn and make adjustments along the way. Your area will be included as the program continues to grow!
Absolutely! The new curbside program is just one more convenient option. You can still use the food scrap drop-off sites or even compost in your own backyard. It’s all about choosing the method that works best for you!
Everyone who lives in Ramsey and Washington counties can be part of the program! Since we’re rolling it out in phases, you can check here to see if curbside pickup is active in your neighborhood. And yes, if you live in an apartment or condo, you can absolutely participate! Just toss your tied food scrap bag into your building’s regular trash dumpster or cart.
The program began its phased rollout in 2023 and is continuing to expand. The best way to know if it’s your turn is to check your address here. You can also visit the program rollout page to see the big-picture timeline.
This is where the magic happens! Your trash hauler picks everything up just like normal and takes it to the Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Center. There, smart machinery is programmed to spot and separate the special food scrap bags from the rest of the trash. Your bag is then sent to a commercial composting facility to be transformed into nutrient-rich soil!
With some very cool technology! We use high-tech robots that can see and pick out the food scrap bags from the rest of the trash. It’s pretty neat to watch—you can see a video of the robots in action on the learn more page.
For all the details, the latest updates, and more FAQs, the official program website is the best place to go! You can find it right here: FoodScrapsPickup.com.