Hennepin County: 30 Percent Increase in Organics Recycling
Everyone produces trash, but there are things people can do to not produce as much of it.
It’s Kirsten Wahlberg’s job to help folks in Hennepin County know their options.
“If people feel like they just need to do something for the environment or future generations, composting, we say, is the low hanging fruit,” said Wahlberg, Hennepin County’s waste reduction specialist.
Organics consists of everyday refuse items like food waste, fruit peels or animal bones, and used napkins. Wahlberg says it makes up 25 percent of what we throw in the trash.
“We don’t want to be sending that material to a landfill, and so if it goes to a landfill, it’s going to create some potent greenhouse gas emissions,” she said.
It’s why Hennepin County is on a mission to get people and businesses to recycle their organic materials.
“We recommend getting a countertop bin,” she said, showing off a small bin designed for organics recycling.
From 2023 to 2024, Wahlberg says there’s been a 30 percent increase in organics recycling participation in Hennepin County.
Folks who want to get involved in organics recycling are encouraged to purchase countertop compost bins.
“Cities are getting into compliance, or cities are trying to expand their education outreach as well,” she said. “So yeah, we’re really pleased with where things are at for organics.”
When organic materials are picked up by the waste haulers, they’re taken to one of two sites in the metro where they break down over the course of six to nine months and become compost.
Folks can then buy that compost for their gardens.
Now, the goal is to get more people on board, and it starts with education and outreach.
“I am very encouraged about what the next 10 years is gonna look like, and I’m very hopeful that next year, we’re gonna see even more organics tonnage,” Wahlberg said.
Meanwhile, if people happen to see their waste hauler dump materials meant for organics recycling into the trash, they’re encouraged to call their respective city and have someone investigate the incident.
Related: Curbside Organics Recycling Coming in April to Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, and New Hope
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