How does Organics Composting work?
It’s as easy as 1,2,3
1. Separate your food scraps and food-soiled paper products from other recyclables and trash.
2. Empty recyclables into the blue cart, trash into the red cart and organics into the green cart.
3. Give yourself a pat on back for giving back to nature and for honoring the Pillar of Citizenship!
WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE
Food Scraps:
• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, fish and bones
• Bread, pasta and baked goods
• Eggshells
• Dairy products
• Coffee grounds
Food-soiled paper products:
• Paper towels and napkins
• Paper plates and cups
• Milk and juice cartons
• Pizza boxes
• Egg cartons
• Boxes from frozen and
refrigerated foods
• Waxed paper and paper
containers
• Coffee filters and tea bags
Other compostable items:
• Full vacuum cleaner bags
• Dryer lint
• Tissues and cotton balls
What is acceptable
WHAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE
Do not place in the green cart:
• Styrofoam®
• Plastics, glass or metal*
• Plastic bags*
• Foil-lined containers (juice boxes)
At home, this list also includes:
• Diapers and wipes
• Cat box filler and pet droppings
• Grass, leaves and brush*
* These items can be recycled or composted, but not with organic recyclables.
GET IT OUT OF THE TRASH AND GIVE IT BACK TO NATURE
Organic food scraps and food-soiled paper are a resource, not waste. They make up approximately 25 percent of what we throw away.
The compost program at Normandale and Concord Elementary eliminates up to 90 percent of lunch-hour waste (or seven full-size garbage bags per lunch hour and school).
This valuable compost can be used to:
• Replenish our soils
• Reduce soil erosion
• Prevent polluted storm water runoff from contaminating our wetlands, lakes and streams
• Capture carbon dioxide for climate protection
Put it into Practice at Home
• Use an ice cream bucket or kitchen scrap bucket to collect scraps in your kitchen.
• Remember to include scraps that usually go down the garbage disposal and soiled paper.
• Line your container with a paper bag or compostable plastic bag to help keep it clean. Visit
www.hennepin.us for a list of stores that sell compostable bags.
How to get startedAdd organics recycling to your trash collection services at home. Depending on how you set up service, you could save money. Organics recycling is currently being offered by:
• Randy’s Sanitation
763/972-3335
www.randyssanitation.com• Waste Management
952/890-1100
www.wmtwincities.com
This information is provided as a public service and is not intended as an endorsement of any business or service.
For general information on organics recycling, you can also contact your city hall.
Edina Public Schools is Giving Back to Nature!
This program is funded in part by a grant from Hennepin County.
Edina Public Schools gratefully acknowledges contributions made by Orono Public Schools.
A pilot compost recycling program at Normandale and Concord proves that some waste is worth saving.