Organics Recycling / Compost

Organics Recycling_Made Easy

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 compostable materials and are both durable and compostable. Collect food waste and other items listed below at home in Blue 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 via email. Please stop by City Hall or call Environmental Coordinator, Amanda Bednar at 763-635-1068 to coordinate your bin pick up. Quantities are limited. Limit one bin per household.

Organics Recycling_Free_Bin_Offer

Drop Off Sites

Elk River City HallElk River Compost Site
13065 Orono Parkway
19000 Proctor Road NW
Dumpster accessible anytime
Compost Site open 5:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Free to Elk River residents with a compost card
Front Desk Hours:
Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 12.00 p.m. 		Front Desk Hours:
Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 12.00 p.m.

Please be aware these dumpsters are for organics recycling only. Both sites are monitored; please do not leave items other than your organics waste. Dumpsters are clearly labeled Organics Only.

City Hall Dumpster
Compost Site Organics Dumpster

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?

Organics Yes-No list

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!