Organics Requirements
Businesses, organizations and schools are required to collect organics (food scraps) if the entity:
- Collects at least eight cubic yards (one ton) of trash per week, and
- Generates food scraps from their back-of-house operations.
Certain events and gatherings may be required to collect food scraps.
Organics (food scraps) collection requirements are outlined in County Ordinance 110 Solid Waste Management.
Who is responsible?
- Property owners and managers of commercial buildings
- Event property managers and sponsors
- All public and non-public schools
Food scraps collection requirements
Food scraps collection options
1. Contract with a licensed waste hauler to pick up food scraps. You can also bring collected food scraps to a commercial composting facility:
2. Contract with a permitted livestock animal feeder or manufacturer.
- Barthold Recycling, 763-444-7447, St. Francis
- ReConserve (formerly Endres), 651-438-3113, Rosemount
- Sanimax, 651-451-6858, 505 Hardman Ave. S., South St. Paul
- Second Harvest Farms, 763-434-9044, Cedar
- Winona Farm, 507-454-3126, Winona
Some haulers collect used cooking grease and oils as well as fatty animal by-products.
Keep containers from overflowing
Work with your hauler to pick up more often or change your container size.
Dakota County adopted a list of food scraps that must be collected for organics. There is also a list of items that must be kept out of the food scraps container.
Collect all food scraps, including:
- Bakery and dry goods
- Coffee grounds
- Dairy products
- Eggs and eggshells
- Meat, fish and bones
- Fruits and vegetables
Keep these items out of the food scraps container:
- Recyclables
- Yard waste
- Trash
- Animal waste
- Label all organics containers on the property.
- Follow the county's label standards.
- Waste haulers are responsible for labeling all carts and dumpsters they provide.
Education is required for all staff, tenant, volunteer, student, housekeepking and custodial staff and any person who is responsible for sorting and managing food scraps collection.
- Educate at least once each yar.
- Educate new staff within 30 days of hire.
- Re-educate after making major changes to the waste collection system.
- Keep a record of all educational activities.
- Follow the county's education standards.
The county will provide a reporting form when it is time for your organization to report.