What is Compostable?
Organics Acceptability List
This list is a general Yes, No, Maybe acceptable list for food, paper and other compostable items.
The guide was created following the development of the Organics Recycling Outreach Guide that can be found on our Organics Collection and Drop-Off webpage.
Contact your local compost facility to verify if the items on the 'Maybe' section are accepted in your program.
Lists specific to each composting facility will be posted in the near future.
The guide was created following the development of the Organics Recycling Outreach Guide that can be found on our Organics Collection and Drop-Off webpage.
Contact your local compost facility to verify if the items on the 'Maybe' section are accepted in your program.
Lists specific to each composting facility will be posted in the near future.
How do I know if a food-service item is compostable?
Minnesota compost facilities will only accept food-service items such as paper or plastic cups, bowls, plates, to-go containers or silverware, or straws if they are BPI certified compostable. Compostable plastic-lined items or entirely PLA certified compostable plastic products must have the BPI logo on the item itself to be accepted in organics collection or drop-off programs. Unlined paper items (ex: plates) do not always have labeling on the item itself, however, the logo can be found on the item's packaging; an example of this is shown below. The packaging for the plates has the BPI logo on it.
What about other 'earth-friendly'-sounding labels?
Other 'envornmentally friendly' terms on their own do not mean an item is compostable. Items with these terms are not accepted by compost facilities in the State unless they are also certified compostable:
- biodegradable
- compostable in an industrial facility
- marine biodegradable
- soil biodegradable
- oxo-degradable
- industrially compostable
- earth-friendly
- made from plants
- made from plant starch
