Food Scraps

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Twenty percent of our trash is wasted food. There’s a better option to manage this waste. Bring your food scraps to a Ramsey County collection site for composting. In six months, the food scraps will become finished compost at an industrial compost facility. The finished compost is used in gardens, landscaping and construction projects. It can help soil hold more water and nutrients, support more living organisms, help control erosion and stormwater runoff, and much more. Get started today!

All sites open to Ramsey County residents only. No businesses or institutions.

Arden Hills, Battle Creek, Frank & Sims and White Bear Township collection sites also open to Washington County residents.

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Food scraps starter kits no longer available

Ramsey County no longer provides countertop food scraps caddies (starter kits) as we prepare to launch the food scraps pickup program in 2023. Compostable bags are still available at all our food scraps drop-off sites. If you already have a countertop caddy at home, continue using it. Otherwise, any other container can be used for food scraps collection.

Coming in 2023: Food scraps pickup program

You’ll soon have a new way to recycle food scraps from home! Ramsey and Washington counties are working together to bring a food scraps pickup service to all residents, with rollout beginning in 2023. 

This new program is part of a larger system for managing food scraps. County food scraps drop-off sites will remain in operation, and some people may prefer to compost food scraps in their backyards. Do what works best for you! 

Stay tuned for updates. Meanwhile, find more information by visiting the Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy website or calling 651-661-9393.

Compostable bags

If using a compostable bag not provided by the county, check that it has the “compostable” logo from the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) on the bag or the box. Compostable bags can be found at local retailers or online. Do not use regular plastic bags; they will not compost.

BPI logoA compostable bag with the BPI logo on it.

Collection at 24/7 drop-off sites

These sites are open year-round, 24 hours per day. 

Collection at yard waste sites

December - March
Monday - Friday: closed
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

April - November
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday: closed
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

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Yard Waste Collection Site Address
Arden Hills
Same location – new address!
1881 Hudson Road, Arden Hills
Battle Creek 389 Winthrop St. S., Saint Paul
Frank and Sims 1150 Sims Ave., Saint Paul
Midway 1943 Pierce Butler Rt., Saint Paul
Mounds View 8307 Long Lake Rd., Mounds View
Summit Hill 870 Pleasant Ave., Saint Paul
White Bear Township 5900 Sherwood Rd., White Bear Township

 

View collection sites map

How to recycle food scraps

Accepted items

Backyard composting

Food saving tips

Where to buy finished compost

Frequently asked questions