New Compostable Yard Waste Bag Requirements for Metro Residents

There are new requirements for yard waste bags in the Metro. Please note that City of Minneapolis residents are not required to use compostable bags until January 1, 2013, however no better time than the present to get started!

See this update from Rethink Recycling :

"Beginning January 1, 2010, residents in the Twin Cities area who bag their yard and organic waste will be required to put their waste out for pickup in compostable bags - either paper (kraft) bags or compostable plastic bags. This will affect residents in the following counties: Anoka, Carver, Hennepin (excluding the City of Minneapolis), Ramsey, Scott, and Washington.


Using paper and compostable plastic bags rather than traditional black plastic bags will greatly reduce the amount of plastic being sent to local composting facilities. Because local composters will have less plastic to screen out of their finished compost, processing costs will be reduced and the quality of the finished compost will be enhanced. Lower processing costs at local composting facilities should reduce the costs for haulers of yard waste, which may lead to lower prices that residents pay for yard waste service.

Compostable plastic bags are distinct from regular plastic bags because they are usually clear or a translucent shade of green or white. Most home improvement, grocery, and hardware stores now carry them. If you don't see them at your local store, ask an employee; many store owners are just learning of this requirement also and may appreciate the customer request."

More information can be found at http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/compostablebags