Organics Recycling

Step one 

Pick up a free organic waste caddie.
Ramsey County is offering free organic waste caddies for residents. Caddies are available at all the yard waste sites. Just tell the yard waste site attendant that you want to get started recycling organic waste!

Step two 

Fill your caddie with a compostable bag and organic waste.
Be sure to review the list of accepted items.

Compostable Bags

• Organic waste needs to be placed and delivered in compostable bags.
• Ramsey County offers free compostable bags at our yard waste sites – just ask a site attendant.
• If using a 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.

View a short video on organics sorting:

• English
• Español
• Hmoob
• Soomaali

Step three

Bring your bagged organics to one of Ramsey County’s Yard Waste sites.

Drop-off how-to video:

• English
• Español
• Hmoob
• Soomaali

Once the compostable bag(s) is full of organics, place it in the organics recycling dumpster at one of Ramsey County Yard Waste Sites. Be sure to ask the site attendant for more free compostable bags, as needed. Dropping your organics off at the yard waste site on a weekly basis will help minimize odor and pests. You can also keep your compostable bag with food scraps in the freezer until ready to drop off.

Testimonials

Hear what residents have to say about organics recycling. It's easier than you think!

• Jenny's Testimony
• Elinor's Testimony

• Food waste, including vegetables, fruits, meats, poultry, fish, bones, grains, dairy, egg shells, coffee grounds and filters, etc. 
• Paper you can’t recycle curbside, including greasy delivery pizza boxes, paper towels, paper cups and plates (unlined/uncoated), tissues, paper egg cartons, dirty paper bags, etc.
• Animal/pet food (no plastic bags)
• Bird feed/seed (no plastic bags)
• Compostable cups, plates, utensils, bags etc. Check that it has the “Compostable” logo from the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) or Cedar Grove on the item or packaging to ensure it is compostable.
• Cotton balls, cotton swabs (made of paper material)
• Hair

Items NOT accepted

• Animal feces
• Ashes
• Dead animals
• Diapers (including biodegradable ones)
• Freezer boxes
• Glass
• Kitty litter
• Lint
• Liquids
• Metals
• Paper cups, and plates - lined/coated
• Paper yard waste bags (reuse if possible)
• Plastics
• Pop and beer boxes
• Refrigerated boxes
• Rubber
• Styrofoam
• Vacuum bags
• Wood
• Wrapping paper

A detailed “yes and no” list has even more examples of what can and can’t go into organics recycling collection.

Home composting is an easy way to turn organic waste into rich soil. 

Learn more about backyard composting.