What is Food Scraps (Organics) Recycling?

Household Organics Recycling is the collection of organic (food scraps) material for composting. Saint Paul residents can collect household organics in their home and take them to a drop-off site listed below. Drop-off sites take more materials than you can put in a backyard compost bin.

In Saint Paul there are three 24/7 Drop-off Sites and four Drop-off Sites with varying hours. 

Find details below.

NEW food scraps (organics) drop-off site open in Union Park

A new collection site in Highland Park will make it easier for Ramsey County residents to drop off food scraps. The new site is open 24 hours a day, year-round at the corner of Carroll Ave and Griggs St. N. 

With the new location, the county now has 17 food scraps drop off sites – including all seven Ramsey County yard waste sites.

Items Accepted: Organics (Food Scraps)

  • All food scraps: vegetables, fruits, meats (including fats, oils, and grease), poultry, fish, bones, grains, dairy, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, etc.BPI Certification Logo: black circle with a leaf inside the circle on the left and an arrow-shaped tree on the right
  • Non-recyclable paper: greasy pizza boxes, paper towels, tissues, dirty paper bags, tissue paper, etc.
  • Compostable products: certified cups, plates, utensils, bags, etc.
    • Check that it has the “Compostable” logo from the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) on the item or packaging to ensure it is compostable.

man dropping a compostable bag into a dumpster at a compost drop-off dumpster

24/7 Drop-off Site Locations

All sites are free and open to all Ramsey County residents. Sites are accessible 24 hours a day, year-round.

 

*NEW* Union Park Drop-off Site

This site is operated by the Lex-Ham Community Council.

At the corner of Carroll Ave. & Griggs St. N., Saint Paul

Lex-Ham Community Council

 

Highland Park Drop-off Site

This site is operated by the Highland Park District Council.

800 snelling Ave. S.  Saint Paul

Enclosure located in parking lot across from water tower.

Highland Park District Council

 

Como Park Drop-off Site

This site is operated by the Como Park Community District Council.

1149 Beulah Lane, Saint Paul

 Como Park Drop-off Site

 

Macalester-Groveland Drop-off Site

This site is operated by the Macalester-Groveland District Council.

1647 Grand Ave, Saint Paul

Enclosure located in parking lot across from 1648 Grand Ave

Macalester-Groveland Drop-off Site

(Sign-up on their site to receive updates and other details.)

Household Organics Recycling at Yard Waste Sites

Drop off source separated household organics at Ramsey County Yard Waste Sites during regular site hours. Keep organics separate from yard waste.

Learn More!

How do I recycle organics at Ramsey County Yard Waste Sites?

  1. Pick up FREE compostable bags at the six yard waste sites that collect organic waste or contact your local District Council office.
  2. Fill the bags with food waste and other materials listed above.
  3. Bring your bagged organics to a Ramsey County Yard Waste Site or 24/7 drop-off site.
  4. Put the bagged organics in the designated container.

Watch how to sort your household organics at home!

 

 

 

Dropping off your Organics at a Yard Waste Site 

 

 

What happens to organics (food scraps) after you drop them off? Watch this video for more information! Click the links below for translated versions.

Spanish Somali Hmong  Karen

 

New Food Scraps Pickup Program - Coming Soon!

In 2023, Ramsey County will be rolling out a new food scraps pickup program in a few suburban communities with the plan to begin collection in Saint Paul in 2024. Food scraps will be collected from residents using specially designed compostable bags, called food scrap bags, that will be co-collected with trash. The food scrap bags will be separated from the trash once they reach the sorting facility. The food scraps will then be transported to a commercial composting facility. 

For program details, check out the most recent program update Food Scraps Pickup Program Details

Food Scraps Pickup Program FAQs

Composting 101 Workshops

Sign up for one of our FREE "Composting 101 Workshops" the summer and fall. In these free workshops you will learn what compost is, why its important, how to compost, and what to do with the finished product. Participants will receive all the supplies they need to get started:

  • Free backyard compost bin
  • Food scrap bucket
  • Food waste tracking tools. 

After the workshop, each participant will be asked to track and report their food scraps for 4 weeks. This will be used to see how much food waste was prevented through backyard composting. Participants will also be asked to complete three 5-minute surveys over 8 weeks following the workshop.

Find details and sign up on the webpage:

Backyard Compost Workshops 

Last Edited: April 17, 2023