Acceptable Organics Materials

Do you have questions on what's accepted? Print or view the organics guide(PDF, 1MB) for a quick at home reminder of acceptable materials, or email recycling@stlouisparkmn.gov and staff will assist you.

Materials accepted for organics recycling

compostable food - vegetables, fruit, egg shell, cheese, bread, chicken

Food scraps, cooked and uncooked

  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Bread and cereal
  • Dairy products
  • Eggs and eggshells
  • Meat
  • Fish and shellfish
  • Bones
  • Nuts and shells

These should be placed in a compostable bag.

egg carton, pizza box, compostable plate and napkin

Food-soiled and compostable paper

  • Pizza delivery boxes (may be placed loose in cart; if it’s not greasy, please recycle)
  • Paper egg cartons
  • Napkins and paper towels (no chemical cleaners)

These should be placed in a compostable bag, except pizza delivery boxes and egg cartons.

Other compostable household items

compostable items, silverware, cut flowers, cotton swabs, coffee filter, certified compostable cups
  • Coffee grounds, filters, tea leaves and tea bags
  • Cotton balls and cotton swabs (paper middle)
  • Hair and nail clippings
  • House plant trimmings and flowers
  • Wooden chopsticks, popsicle sticks and toothpicks
  • Carved pumpkins and ornamental gourds
  • Certified compostable products (see below for details)

These should be placed in a compostable bag.

BPI compostable logo

Certified compostable products

Cups, plates, bowls, containers, parchment and wax paper, utensils, straws and bags must be BPI certified compostable products in order to be accepted. Look for the BPI logo, shown to the right, on these products.

BPI certifies products for compostability through product testing done by an independent lab. The testing helps ensure the products break down properly during the composting process without leaving behind physical or chemical contaminants.

To see a list of BPI certified products, view their online catalog of certified products.

Materials not accepted

The following items can't be collected through the organics program and will not be accepted.

Items collected separately

  • Yard waste (leaves, grass, sticks, etc.)

Visit the yard waste page for more information.

Items that are recyclable

  • Cartons, glass, metal, paper and plastic

Visit the recycling page for more information.

Items that are considered trash

  • Animal and pet waste, litter or bedding
  • Cleaning or baby wipes
  • Diapers
  • Dryer lint, dryer sheets
  • Fast food wrappers
  • Foam packaging
  • Frozen food boxes
  • Grease or oil
  • Gum
  • Menstrual products
  • Microwave popcorn bags
  • Plastic garbage or shopping bags
  • To-go coffee and soda cups (unless BPI certified compostable)
  • Wax and parchment paper (unless BPI certified compostable)
  • Any products labeled "biodegradable"
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