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Organics Recycling / Compost
Update on Organics Program
June 16, 2022
Attention organics customers, the postcard you recently received stated that with participation in the program you would receive one bag of compost. Unfortunately, due to recent heavy rains, our supplier has not been able to bag any compost yet. We are awaiting notification as to when compost material will be available for distribution.
Please call email Suzanne Fischer, Environmental Services/Special Projects Director at 763-635-1030 with any questions.
The City of Elk River is proud to offer a free, voluntary organics recycling drop-off program!
What is Organics Recycling?
Utilizing food waste from your home, organics recycling converts material that is otherwise trash into compost which can be used for fertilizer. Reduce your trash and increase your recycling by participating. Click here to see how easy it is!
When you sign up for the City of Elk River Organics Recycling program, you will receive a free supply of compostable bags. These bags are made from BPI certified materials and are both durable and compostable. Collect food waste and other items listed below at home in Green Bags and then bring them to one of the drop-off facilities below.
And now, while supplies last, the City of Elk River is giving away a free bin to new and existing customers. To qualify for a free bin, new customers must sign up and deliver their first compost drop. Current customers must share their reason for recycling in a photo via our Facebook page or by sending it via email. Please stop by City Hall or call Environmental Services/Special Projects Director Suzanne Fischer at 763-635-1030, to coordinate your bin pick up. Quantities are limited to one bin per household.
Resources
University of Minnesota Extension - Composting in Home Gardens
Drop Off Sites
| Elk River City Hall | Elk River Compost Site | Elk River Landfill |
| 13065 Orono Parkway | 19000 Proctor Road NW | 22460 Highway 169 |
| Dumpster accessible anytime | Compost Site open 5:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Free to Elk River residents with keycard | Landfill site open 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday |
Please be aware these dumpsters are for organics recycling only. All sites are monitored; please do not leave items other than your organics waste. Dumpsters are clearly labeled Organics Only.
It’s important to only collect items that should be collected for organics recycling. Any food products can be included but keep out yard waste, plastic, grease/oil and pet waste. A complete list is below.
More details about the program can be found in the brochure here.
What can be recycled?
Why Recycle?
REDUCE WASTE: Keep valuable materials out of landfills. Food waste and food soiled paper are the single largest component in municipal waste collection sites. By recycling these items you reduce your own trash as well as help reduce the amount in our landfills.
REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS: Decomposition of organics in a landfill produces methane, a greenhouse gas 20 times more damaging than CO2.
CREATE FERTILIZER: Food waste is a valuable material that if properly collected and recycled can be converted into nutrient-rich compost that can be used on lawns, flower beds, vegetable gardens and local farms.
SAVE MONEY: Reduce your weekly trash quantity to save money!