• Collect food scraps and food-soiled paper products.
• Consider using an ice cream bucket or kitchen scrap bucket to collect scraps in your kitchen.
• Small kitchen collection buckets are also available online and in some stores.
• Containers in your home can be lined with a paper bag or BPI Certified compostable bag to help keep it clean. Compostable bags and kitchen scrap buckets are available online, and most grocery or hardware stores. They can also be purchased at the Environmental Center.
•  Empty your organic waste container into your curbside organics cart or delivering your organics to a nearby drop-off location.

• Any food scraps including fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, bones, bread, pasta, baked goods, egg shells, dairy products, and coffee grounds.
• Food-soiled paper products including paper towels, napkins, paper plates, cups, milk and juice cartons, pizza boxes and egg cartons.
• Non-recyclable paper boxes from frozen and refrigerated foods, waxed paper and paper containers.
• Other compostable items including coffee filters and tea bags, dryer lint, tissues, floral trimmings and house plants.
• Don’t forget to continue to recycle as much paper, metal, plastic and glass as you can!

Still have questions about what you should and shouldn't compost? Carver County residents now have access to a recycling and composting app. It allows you to scan a barcode or search for an item with your phone or device and receive detailed recycling or composting instructions. 

Learn more about Betterbin and download it today!

If you live in a community or building where curbside organics recycling isn't available yet, then a drop-off location is your best option. 

Environmental Services currently offers the following public organics recycling drop-off opportunities:

Carver County Environmental Center
116 Peavey Circle
Chaska, MN 55318
(952) 361-1835

Feed My Starving Children
18732 Lake Drive E
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Dumpster with organics signage located on site.

Waconia Gather & Grow Food Shelf
11 S. Elm St.
Waconia, MN 55387
Dumpster with organics signage located next to building.

Watertown Yard Waste Site
700 Lewis Avenue N
Watertown, MN 55388
Dumpster with organics signage located on site.

Victoria Yard Waste Site
(Former Public Works building)
1416 Stieger Lake Ln
Victoria, MN 55386
Enter from Highway 5.
Dumpster with organics signage located on site.

 
View the program brochure here.

This pilot program is being offered to a limited number of residents in Chaska and Chanhassen. If you have questions or want inquire about signing up you can contact:

Environmental Services is working to develop curbside organics recycling programs in Carver County. Visit our residential collection page and find your hauler or community on the list. Ask if they offer organics recycling. If they don't, encourage them to do so!

Not sure what public organics options are closest to you? Select Statewide residential organics map to locate programs closest to an address in the state of Minnesota.

Will the organics smell?

Organics will smell the same as your household trash. Remember, it is the same waste you have now, just separated into containers.

To minimize odors, remember to put in food-soiled paper products or line your container with a paper bag to absorb liquid from food waste, line your container with a compostable plastic bag to contain liquid, empty your container frequently and rinse it out occasionally.

Is organics recycling better than using the garbage disposal?

Yes, recycling organic waste into compost is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than using a garbage disposal. It takes energy and resources to process out solids including food waste at wastewater treatment plants. Food waste can also overload your septic system and cause problems.

Will organics recycling cost more?

Depending on how you set up your service, you could actually save money, or it may add just a few more dollars to your bill.

How do I make organics recycling available in my community?

Carver County continues to work with cities and haulers to expand residential curbside collection of organics. If you would like to have an organics recycling program in your city, let your hauler and elected officials know that you are interested in this service. Contact your city council members, mayor, and hauling company. Get interested neighbors to do the same.