Organics

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

Collection update: If unplanned collection delays occur, details will be posted on the garbage & recycling page.

About the organics collection program

About 30% of trash is made up of food scraps and other material that could be composted through the city’s voluntary curbside organics program.

There is no extra cost to participate for households with city solid waste collection service.

Organics is collected weekly from single-family homes by the city's organics hauler, Republic Services.

Collection day guidelines

Follow these guidelines to ensure your organics is picked up:

Set your cart out by 7 a.m. on your regular collection day each week.
Make sure your compostable bags are tied shut before placing them into your organics cart.
- Pizza delivery boxes and paper egg cartons may be placed loosely in the cart.

Multifamily organics drop-site program

If you live in an apartment, townhome or condo that doesn't receive city collection service and doesn't have organics collection on-site, sign up for the multifamily organics drop-site program. Visit the organics for multifamily residents tab below for more information and to sign up.

Benefits

Participating in the organics program has several benefits, including:

Reduces greenhouse gas emissions – When organic material is kept out of landfills, we prevent methane, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from being produced. This then helps to prevent climate change.
Improves soil – Adding compost to soil reduces the need for pesticides and fertilizers.
Protects water – Adding compost to soil increases its water retention, reduces erosion, and prevents polluted storm runoff from contaminating our wetlands, lakes and streams.

Watch the what happens to my organics video for more information about the organics composting process.

Signing up

To sign up for organics collection, use myStLouisPark, and go through the following steps.

Visit the myStLouisPark website or download the app for Apple or Android.
If you're using the app, click on the "Submit Request" button at the top and the app will open a new menu.
If you’re using the website, the menu to select an issue should automatically load.
From the menu, click on "garbage recycling organics and yard waste."
You can then choose "organics cart selection form" and fill out the required information.

You can also contact utility billing at 952.924.2111 to sign up.

Carts are available in 30- and 60-gallon sizes. Your cart will be delivered within two weeks.

Organics for multifamily residents

Drop-sites

The city offers an organics drop-site program for multifamily residents that do not have organics collection on-site. The program is free to these multifamily residents. If you would like to participate, complete the multifamily organics drop-site sign up form.

Certified compostable bags must be used to collect your organics. All eligible organics drop-site participants receive a yearly allotment of compostable bags from the city at no additional cost. This is made possible through grant funding received from Hennepin County. Pick up your bags at city hall or the Municipal Service Center.

For more information and resources on how to collect organics in your home, view the organics setup and tips page.

View the multifamily organics drop-site map. Residents will be given exact locations and access information (several carts are locked to prevent contamination) after signing up.

To learn more, watch the multifamily organics drop-site presentation.

Setup

Certified compostable bags must be used to collect your organics. Paper bags are also allowed for collecting dry organics.

All curbside organics participants receive a yearly allotment of compostable bags from the city at no additional cost. Pick up your bags at city hall or the Municipal Service Center.

For more information and resources on how to collect organics in your home, view the organics setup and tips page.

Missed pickup or problems

Materials accepted for organics recycling

View the organics acceptable materials page for a list of materials that can be put in your organics cart for composting.

Important – Yard waste is no longer accepted in organics carts.

Organics and yard waste are collected separately. See the yard waste page for yard waste set-out instructions.
Organics carts containing yard waste will have a reminder attached to it, asking you to remove the yard waste. Your cart will not be emptied until the yard waste is removed. Carts with four or more reminders will be removed from service.
Residents wishing to request a smaller organics cart due to this change should contact utility billing at 952.924.2111 or complete the organics cart change form.

Walk-up service

Walk-up service is an optional service for residents who may not be able to set their organics cart out at the curb or alley. Republic Services can collect your cart from a different location on your property for an extra fee.

The rate for organics walk-up service is $10.82 per month plus taxes and fees. Republic Services sends a bill for 12-months of service to residents who request organics walk-up service.

Note: Walk-up service is also offered for garbage and recycling by The Buckingham Companies.

Contacts

Republic Services
952.941.5174
SLP@republicservices.com

Public works
Municipal Service Center
7305 Oxford St.
St. Louis Park, MN 55426
952.924.2562
recycling@stlouisparkmn.gov

FAQs

Where can I pick up my supply of certified compostable bags?
Once you sign up, pick up your supply of compostable bags at one of the following locations:
- City hall (first floor), 5005 Minnetonka Blvd. from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Municipal Service Center, 7305 Oxford St. from 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
What does the city provide to organics recycling customers?
When you sign up, your household will receive the following:
- A brown-lidded cart for organics (30- and 60-gallon sizes are available)
- A supply of BPI-certified compostable bags at no additional cost
- An informational packet, expert advice and assistance
If you have questions, contact public works at 952.924.2562.
Does the city provide free kitchen pails?

The city does not provide kitchen pails for organics collection.

You can use any small bucket, ice cream pail or crock for collecting organic material. Some residents use larger under-the-counter bins or stand-alone cans in their kitchens for collection. Look online or check with your favorite local store if you wish to purchase your own indoor collection bin.

More FAQs