Composting

About 25% of our garbage is organic material that could be composted.

Organics recycling

Organic material can be recycled for free at the Hennepin County Drop-off Facility! Materials accepted include:

• All food scraps – including meat, bones and dairy
• Food – soiled and non-recyclable paper including napkins, paper towels, and delivery/takeout cardboard pizza boxes
• BPI-certified compostable plastic utensils, cups and containers
• Other items including coffee filters, ice cream and corn dog sticks, and uncoated paper plates

Materials must be in BPI-certified compostable bags and there is a five bag limit per person per day.

Benefits of composting

Compost is organic matter such as fruit and vegetable scraps or garden waste that has been broken down and can be used as fertilizer. Some benefits of composting:

• Great fertilizer for growing fruits, vegetables and herbs
• Regenerates poor and/or depleted soils and increases water retention
• Reduces erosion

Composting bins

You can purchase a backyard composting bin at the Hennepin County Drop-off Facility in Brooklyn Park. Bins are 3′ by 3′ by 3′ and made of cedar and wire mesh.

More information

Organic recycling from Hennepin County

Composting from Hennepin County Composting

Drop-off location and hours

Hennepin County Recycling and Transfer Station

8100 Jefferson Highway N.
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
View map and directions to Hennepin County Recycling and Transfer Station

Visit the Hennepin County Drop-off Facilities webpage

Hours

Phone and email

612-348-3777
Email Hennepin County Environmental Services