Food and Yard Waste in Schools
Learn how schools can prevent wasted food and donate food to others. Leftover food scraps can get a new life as compost or animal feed.
Food waste and food scraps
- Prevent wasted food.
- Collect food scraps for composting. Most schools are required to collect food scraps from non-public areas.
Yard waste disposal
It is illegal to put yard waste like grass clippings, leaves and branches into the trash. If your school does not contract with a vendor for yard waste services, contact your waste hauler about adding yard waste services.
Schools can also drop off yard waste at yard waste drop-off locations. Call first to verify fees, hours, items accepted and drop-off instructions.
Request free compost
Schools that have participated in our school grant program can request free delivery of compost (including compost-soil mixtures) once per school year. It can be used in vegetable and flower gardens, potted plants, turf or grass repair, and more.
We encourage using compost soils as an educational tool to help students understand the benefits of compost.
To request free compost delivery, submit the compost delivery request form to schoolrecycling@co.dakota.mn.us at least two weeks before the requested delivery date. Requests considered on a first-come, first-served basis as funds allow.
Get free help
Schools can get free container labels, educational resources, funding and technical assistance through the school waste prevention and recycling grant.