Tools to Implement Organics Recycling

The Organics Recycling Outreach Guide is a resource to be used voluntarily by waste educators both public and private statewide.
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Updated October 2025
The use of the terminology included is endorsed by all source-separated organics composting facilities in Minnesota in addition to government agencies, non-profits and more.

Compostable products increase collection of organics and reduces contamination

Minnesota-based NatureWorks LLC, in partnership with Taco Time, the City of Seattle, Cedar Grove Composting, Ecotainer, Pactive, and WNA, performed a case study showing the effectiveness of using compostable products in aiding in the diversion of organic materials for composting.  

Through the project, Taco Time switched almost all of their products over to compostable items which not only significantly reduced contamination, but also confusion for its customers.  
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Read Taco Time's case study here.

​Recycling Education Video
​Where should your waste items go and what will they turn into? Learn the basics about recycling and composting in Minnesota.
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​Recycling and Organics - What Goes Where?
Learn about what materials are recyclable, what can be composted, and what items need to go in the trash.

​Know What To Throw
Test your recycling skills with this interactive sorting game (desktop only).

​Eureka Recycling's Zero-Waste Composting Study
Zero-Waste Composting is a comprehensive approach to composting that requires we first make efforts to eat the food we buy, then compost as close to the source as possible, and only collect what is left. All of this is done to preserve and create soil, a rapidly depleting resource that our lives depend on.

​​MNCC and ARM Model Backyard and Small Site Ordinance
A tool for local governing authorities to assist in determining appropriate regulations for backyard and small site composting in their community. Click the image to read more.

MNCC and ARM Model cover page
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The Soil Story
A video about sequestering carbon in soils, and the role of compost in combating climate change.

Curb to Compost Toolkit
​How to include food scrap collection in an existing yard debris program. 

​Compostable Plastics Toolkit ​
This toolkit is designed to help determine if a compostable plastics program is appropriate for your organization and to guide in properly managing your compostable plastics.