Next time you’re cleaning up after a meal, take a moment to think about where your food waste is headed. If you throw it in the trash, it’s likely bound for a landfill.
In Hennepin County, up to 30 percent of landfill waste is made up of organic materials that could be composted—including food scraps, paper towels, and coffee grounds. Through organics recycling programs, food waste and other organic materials are diverted from landfills and processed into compost, which can be mixed with soil to provide nutrients and help retain moisture to support healthy plant growth.
The City offers free curbside organics recycling to all residents in one- to four-unit homes, with pickup every Friday. After pickup, Golden Valley’s organics are brought to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) Organics Recycling Facility, where they’re turned into compost.
For residents in apartment buildings or multifamily buildings without curbside service, an organics drop-off site is available at Fire Station #2 (400 Turners Crossroad S). The map below shows how to find the drop-off site and where to park. Please be mindful not to block garage doors or emergency access when dropping off.
Visit the Golden Valley Organics Recycling page for tips on how to get started and what items are accepted. Additionally, Golden Valley offers free compost to residents for pickup in the spring. Subscribe to the recycling email updates on the Organics Recycling page to be notified when compost becomes available later this season.
Sources
- Organics Recycling – Golden Valley
- Organics Recycling – Hennepin County
- Composting – Environmental Protection Agency
- Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community