Maple Grove Leaders Offer Information About Changes Related to Organics Recycling
City leaders in Maple Grove have fielded questions from residents about new charges on garbage and recycling bills after a new state law and county statute require that all residents be charged for curbside organics recycling.
“That state law requires that if one resident recycles, they don’t get charged more than a resident that doesn’t recycle, thus it being required across the city,” said Maple Grove Public Works Director Chris LaBounty.
Other cities across Hennepin County and the northwest suburbs specifically are answering similar questions and directing those concerned to county resources–often shared on city websites–about what to recycle and how it is collected.
“Organics is the next phase of continuing to reduce the waste that we produce that could go to landfill and to create another product out of it,” said LaBounty. “It’s estimated around 30 percent of waste from individual homes is something that can be put in an organics recycling bin and then turned into compost.”
LaBounty echoed what leaders in other cities say about the growing availability of curbside organics recycling; essentially understanding and wider-spread practice of it now is like what more conventional recycling of paper, plastic, and glass 30 years ago.
“Some of the common things that can go in an organics recycling bin that couldn’t be composted at their home can include things like eggshells, meat products, many haulers will accept things like pizza boxes, toothpicks, and household flowers,” he said.
More information is available on the city’s website here.
