Container: Food scraps caddy
Food scrap bag size: 6-gallon bag
Location: Under the sink
Food scrap bag size: 6-gallon bag
Location: Under the sink
How To Participate
Recycling food scraps in your home is easy!
There are many right ways to collect food scraps. Find helpful information on how to collect and store food scraps, and lists of what items are accepted and not accepted in food scrap bags.
How It Works
Order your free annual supply of food scrap bags.
Do not use other compostable bags—the bags provided by Ramsey and Washington counties are designed specifically for this program.
Collect your food scraps in the food scrap bags. At least once a week, tie a knot at the top to close the bag.
One way to tie the food scrap bag is like you would tie a balloon. Another option is to tie the corners together. If you choose this way, be sure to double-knot it to make sure it stays sealed.
Place your food scrap bag inside your trash cart or dumpster for collection.
DO NOT place your food scrap bags:
- In your recycling cart.
- On top of or next to your trash cart or dumpster.
- Inside a regular trash bag.
Done! The food scraps will be composted.
After collection, the food scrap bags are separated from the trash and brought to an industrial compost facility.
How To Collect Food Scraps
Using Food Scrap Bags
There are many right ways to collect food scraps. Find helpful information on how the food scrap collection process works and learn about how to store, tie and replace your food scrap bag.
Recommended Storage
Be creative with containers and choose a storage location that works best for you.
- Washington County offers residents free containers for food scraps collection. Sign up for a container and learn more at WashCoRecycles.com/FoodScraps.
- Ramsey County does not currently provide food scraps collection containers to residents.
What Goes In The Food Scrap Bag?
All food items are accepted. This is a list of common food scrap items:
- Coffee grounds and filters
- Fruits and vegetables (including peels, pits and rinds)
- Dairy products (including cheese and yogurt)
- Nuts and nut shells (except black walnut shells)
- Bread, tortillas, pasta, rice and cereals
- Eggs and eggshells
- Moldy or rotten food
- Meat and seafood (including bones, scales and shells)
- Beans and lentils
- Tea leaves and paper tea bags
- Corn cobs, corn husks and popcorn kernels
- Pastries, pies, dough and candy
- Herbs and spices
- Seeds (including bird seeds)
- Pet food
ONLY BPI®-certified compostable cups, plates, utensils, bags, parchment, wax paper, coffee pods, etc. Check that the product or packaging has the “compostable” logo from the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) on it.
- Paper towels
- Tissues and napkins free of inks, dyes and glitter and not used with cosmetics or chemicals
- Paper egg cartons (remove any sticker labels)
Paper products that can be recycled should be placed in your recycling cart or dumpster, rather than included in food scraps collection. Check with your recycling hauler for accepted items.
- Houseplant trimmings (including small flower bouquets)
- Small wooden items (like chopsticks, popsicle sticks and toothpicks)
Want a list for your fridge or caddy?
Click the button to the right to find instruction guides, brochures, easy-to-print lists of accepted and not accepted items and more.
Not sure what to do with items that are not accepted?
Refer to your county’s website for more information on how to dispose of items not accepted in food scraps collection.