Hennepin Recycling Group

When will I receive my curbside organics cart? 

Carts will only be delivered to residents who sign up for service. Residents who sign up by March 9, 2025, will receive their carts the week of March 24. Cart delivery will be paused as we work out the logistics of the collection routes. Cart delivery for residents who sign up after March 9 will resume in mid-April.

After that residents who sign up for weekly curbside organics collection will receive their cart a few weeks after signing up.

How is this different from backyard composting?

Backyard composting is a great way to turn fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, leaves, and grass clippings into a nutrient-rich compost that you can use to improve your soil right at home. Organics recycling allows you to conveniently compost more materials without needing to maintain a backyard compost bin.

Large-scale industrial composting facilities reach higher temperatures than backyard compost bins, killing bacteria and breaking down materials that backyard bins cannot. Additional materials accepted for organics recycling include dairy products, meat and bones, pizza boxes from delivery, and certified compostable products.

What if I live in an apartment complex?

Weekly curbside organics collection through the city is not available to those who live in an apartment complex. Organics can be brought for free to the Hennepin County Drop-Off Facility, 8100 Jefferson Highway, Brooklyn Park. Registered users can bring material to the drop-off at the Crystal Aquatics Center. Sign up to use the site

What if I want to collect organics at my get together?

You can borrow free event recycling containers for both bottles and cans, and/or organics recycling using the form on the website.

If you collect more material than will fit in your cart, you can drop off organics at no charge at the Hennepin County Drop-Off Facility, 8100 Jefferson Highway, Brooklyn Park. Registered users can bring material to the drop-off at the Crystal Aquatics Center. Sign up to use the site

I have concerns that my organics cart will smell.

Collection of organic material shouldn't smell any more than regular garbage. With organics collection, residents are simply moving the organics contents from their garbage cart to their designated organics cart. Utilizing BPI Certified compostable bags will help contain material and keep your organics cart clean. Additionally, because curbside organics collection is weekly, materials will be picked up in a timely manner to help prevent smell issues.

How do I deter bugs from my organics cart?

Bugs are naturally attracted to the contents of both garbage and organics carts. However, to help minimize odors and mitigate the presence of flies, ants, maggots or other insects in organics carts, the city recommends periodically cleaning your cart by rinsing it with warm water and a biodegradable detergent. Make sure to place your cart out for pick up each week, even if your cart is not full.

Additionally, using BPI Certified compostable bags will help contain materials and keep your organics cart clean.

Where can I find BPI certified compostable bags?

BPI Certified compostable bags can be purchased at home improvement stores such as Menards, retailers such as Target and Walmart, and from many online stores. Brown paper bags are compostable, and you can use them for your organics recycling.

Where can I find a collection container to use in my home?

In-house collection containers can be found at many online stores, most local household goods and home improvement stores.

There is a limited number available at the Brooklyn Park Operations & Maintenance Facility, 8300 Noble Avenue. Pick one up for free during office hours of Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

For more ideas, we encourage you to view slides from a presentation provided by Hennepin County for setting up organics recycling at home.

What will the charge be?

Currently garbage haulers are charging $5-$7.50 a month. Haulers will discontinue charging for the service in April and a new $2.90 a month charge will be added to your city utility bill. Once we reach 11% of residents signed up for service the charge will increase to $3.75 a month to cover the expense of adding trucks and drivers to service more households.

How can I reduce my food waste

Minnesotans throw away over 500,000 tons of food waste each year. An average family spends $1,866 every year to buy food they never eat.

Hennepin County sponsors a Reduce Food Waste Challenge each year where you can learn tips and techniques to save your food. Here’s a downloadable handout with some food waste reduction tips.