Join the Food Scraps Program in
Ramsey & Washington Counties!
By joining the food scraps program you will be taking your recycling to the next level? Did you know that up to a third of what we throw away is actually organic material, like food scraps? Instead of sending it to a landfill, our program helps you recycle your food scraps and protect the environment.
Look for our convenient, curbside food scrap pickup program in your city:
Ramsey County
North St. Paul, MN
Maplewood, MN
Washington County
Newport, MN
Cottage Grove, MN
Live in Another Community? You Can Still Participate!
If curbside pickup isn’t available in your city yet, you can still easily recycle your food scraps! Both counties offer free and convenient drop-off sites that are available for all residents to use.
Give Your Food Scraps a New Life
The Food Scraps Pickup Program is an easy new way for residents of Ramsey and Washington counties to recycle food scraps right from home. This program is being introduced in phases over the next few years and will eventually be available to all residents in both counties.
Get Your Free Bags
Order your free annual supply of food scrap bags.
IMPORTANT: You must use the official bags provided by Ramsey and Washington counties. Other compostable bags are not compatible with our sorting system and will not be accepted.
Collect & Seal Your Scraps
Collect your food scraps in the provided bag. Once a week, or when the bag is full, tie a secure knot at the top to close it.
- Pro-Tip: Tie the bag just like you would tie a balloon. This creates the best seal to prevent leaks.
Toss the Bag Correctly
Place your tied food scrap bag directly into your trash cart or dumpster.
- YES: Place the bag inside your trash cart.
- NO: Do not put the food scrap bag inside a regular trash bag.
- NO: Do not put the bag in your recycling bin.
- NO: Do not place the bag next to or on top of your cart.
You're Done!
That’s it! After collection, your food scrap bag will be automatically separated from the regular trash and brought to an industrial compost facility to be recycled.
