To get started, order your annual free supply of food scrap bags. Sign up or call customer service at 651-661-9393 for assistance. The program-specific bags will arrive by mail with instructions on how to start collecting your food scraps.

Only residents in eligible communities can participate. See if the program is currently available in your area.

The timeline of the program rollout is determined by working closely with our facilities and partners to plan for continued expansion. The Food Scraps Pickup Program is in the process of rolling out to all Ramsey and Washington county residents, regardless of housing type, over the next several years. Click here for a list of communities where the program is currently available.

The program is currently available to all communities whose trash is brought directly to the R&E Center, which is equipped to sort out food scrap bags. The remaining communities in Ramsey and Washington counties have their trash brought to a waste transfer station, which is a location where trash from multiple communities is consolidated before it’s sent to the R&E Center. The program will become available to these communities when equipment to sort food scrap bags from the trash is installed at those transfer stations. Ramsey and Washington counties anticipate that this expansion will occur over the next several years. The map below shows how the program is expected to roll out across areas in the two counties. The timeline is subject to change.

Program participation is FREE to residents of Ramsey and Washington counties. All participants will be provided with an annual free supply of food scrap bags after creating an account and placing a bag order.

You can order them on the program website or call 651-661-9393 (multi-lingual options available) to get started. Food scrap bags are shipped directly to your household.

You can order a free supply of food scrap bags annually. The supply of 60 food scrap bags is intended to last about a year as it is recommended to change your food scrap bag about once a week. After a year, you will receive an email reminder to order your next supply of food scrap bags.

If you need additional food scrap bags within a year of ordering your annual supply, log into your account or call customer service at 651-661-9393 to place another free bag order. You will be prompted to complete a survey that will help the Food Scraps Pickup Program learn more about bag use. Once you complete the survey you will be able to place a second bag order.

*Residents who have placed more than 2 bag orders within a year will be contacted by staff before receiving additional orders.

Food scrap bags come in two sizes:

• 6-gallon (about the size of a bathroom trash can)
• 13-gallon (about the size of a kitchen trash can)

In program testing, the smaller food scrap bag size (6-gallon) was the preferred size for most households. Consider the following factors in deciding which bag size will work best for you:

• Storage: What size container do you plan to use with the food scrap bags? The 6-gallon food scrap bags work better with smaller containers. See ideas for home set up.
• Home/kitchen size: The 6-gallon food scrap bags may work better for smaller spaces.
• Household size: Larger families may prefer the 13-gallon food scrap bags.
• Cooking frequency: If you cook a lot, you might have more food scraps and may prefer the 13-gallon food scrap bags.

No, the Food Scraps Pickup Program does not provide collection containers.

No. All residents of Ramsey and Washington counties can participate regardless of the hauler. This program works within the current waste system, meaning there are no changes to how haulers operate or pick up trash.

There is not one correct set-up to participate in the Food Scraps Pickup Program! There are many different kinds and sizes of containers that can be used for food scrap collection. We recommend finding a container and place to keep it that works best for you. View possible storage and set up options.

Using food scrap bags is just a different way of collecting the same material that's currently going in your trash. Like your trash, if you take your food scrap bags out to your garbage cart or dumpster regularly, odors should not be an issue.

Just like when food scraps are in your regular trash bin, over time they can begin to smell or attract pests— this is a very normal experience! Finding solutions to address these issues can require some creative problem-solving. Here are some ideas for where to start:

• Consider storing your food scraps somewhere new, like in the fridge or freezer, in your garage or under your sink!
• Consider finding a storage container with a lid to help prevent smells or pests from going to or coming from your food scraps.
• Try taking your food scrap bags out more frequently. We recommend taking your food scrap bags out once a week. You don’t always need to wait until the bag is full!

No. Compost derived from the material collected by the Food Scraps Pickup Program will not be provided to participants.

Yes. If you are a Safe at Home participant, please contact customer service at 651-661-9393 and ask to leave a message for program staff to assist you. You will be contacted by a staff member who will help you create an account and order bags. To participate, you must live in one of eligible communities.

We only accept compostable products certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI). BPI is a third-party company that certifies that products have been tested and will fully break down at a commercial compost facility. Items like cups, plates, utensils and more can be BPI certified.

Sometimes you’ll see labels on products that say they’re “biodegradable,” “compostable,” “made from plants,” “made from corn starch” or “all natural.” However, these are not the same as BPI certified. Only items with the BPI certification are accepted – look for the BPI logo! When in doubt, leave it out.

Yes! All single-family and multi-family residences in eligible communities can participate. Just put your food scrap bags in your building’s trash cart or dumpster.