Organics Recycling

Sign up for the organics program with the Eventbrite link below, then stop by the Planning Division to pick up your Organics Recycling Starter Kit!

ORGANICS

Welcome to the organics page! Are you looking for an opportunity to expand what you recycle while reducing what goes into your garbage can?  The City of Ramsey offers a free organics drop-off program to those who want to participate!  Organics make up about 1/3 of Minnesota’s garbage.  Capturing organics for recycling will help Ramsey achieve the goals set by the Anoka County Board of Commissioners and the State’s goal of recycling 75 percent of our waste by 2030. 

How to Start

To start recycling organics today, sign up online at our Eventbrite page or swing by the Planning Division at the Ramsey Municipal Center. Organics recycling kits are available for pick-up from the Planning Division during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Included in your kit are One 5-gallon pail with lid, one roll of 13-gallon compostable bags, one roll of 2.5-gallon compostable bagsa BioBag 3-gallon bin, and an informational sheet detailing what is compostable. 

Collect organics from your kitchen and place them in the small bin (lined with one of the smaller compostable bags). Place the full compostable bags in the large pail (lined with one of the larger compostable bags) for more accessible transport to the drop-off location, which is located at the City's Public Works Campus, 14100 Jaspar Street NW. All food waste, soiled papers (napkins, pizza boxes), and other BPI-certified compostable materials can be placed in the organics drop-off container! Please place all food in BPI compostable bags. Cardboard can be placed directly into the organics container.

Why Organics Recycling?

Organics recycling is a form of commercial composting where organic material is separated from garbage meant for landfills. Unlike traditional backyard composting, all foods, including meats, dairy products, and used paper products, such as pizza boxes and tissue paper, which are not usually recyclable, are collected and turned into compost. 

Organics recycling helps reduce methane-producing bacteria in landfills. Organics recycling also benefits the economy by creating jobs and revenue.  Organics recycling results in a finished product of compost.  Using finished compost can reduce soil erosion and the reliance upon chemical fertilizers while increasing soil nutrients, crop production and water retention.  Please help us reach our goal of recycling 75 percent of our waste by joining the organics recycling program!  

What goes in the bin?

Acceptable materials!

YES!

  • Baked goods
  • Dairy products
  • Eggs and egg shells
  • Houseplant trimmings
  • Paper towels, napkins, facial tissues
  • Tea, coffee grounds and filters
  • Meat, poultry, and fish, including bones
  • Fruits, vegetables, peels, pits and rinds
  • Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) certified paper plates, cups, utensils
  • Non-recyclable papers such as pizza delivery boxes, paper egg cartons, toilet paper and paper towel cores
Organic material collage chicken leg, egg shells, muffin, apple core, etc.

NO!

  • Metal
  • Plastic
  • Glass
  • StyrofoamTM
  • Pet droppings
  • Twist ties
  • Stickers on produce
  • Dryer lint
  • K-cups
  • Grease or oil
  • Aluminum foil
  • Microwave popcorn bags
  • Diapers
  • Straws
Non-recyclable organics used diapers, to-go coffee cups, aluminum foil, microwave popcorn bags

Questions? Contact the City of Ramsey at 763-433-9817.