Organics recycling plays an important role in reducing household waste. It not only helps reducing waste going to landfill, but also realizing the value of organic matter and slowing down climate change. Proper organic recycling is essential to produce clean, nutrient-rich compost that people are willing to buy and use. Compost that contains plastic, glass, or other contaminants is difficult to sell. If you are not sure whether an item is organic or not, whether it is compostable or not, refer to the list below or put it in the landfill trash bin.
Food
A note about food: If you’re unsure where to start with organics recycling, focus on collecting food. Spoiled food and food scraps are the most common material in the trash and the most nutrient-rich material in the composting process, making them the most important material to collect for organics recycling.
Accepted:
Bread and cereal
Cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products and non-dairy alternatives
Dough, pastries, and pies
Eggs and eggshells
Fruits and vegetables including peels, pits, shells, and rinds (remove produce stickers)
Leftovers
Meat, fish, bones, and shellfish, including scales and shells
Nuts and shells
Pasta, grains, beans, and rice
Pet food
Not accepted:
Black Walnut shells (these shells contain a toxin called juglone that is deadly to many plants)
Chewing gum
Grease, oil, or other liquids (small amounts are okay)
[ZIRAN Note]: Grease cannot be composted because it doesn't break down easily, can attract pests, and disrupts the compost's natural balance by creating a barrier that restricts airflow and moisture, leading to an anaerobic environment and unpleasant odors.
Paper products and packaging
Accepted:
BPI certified compostable products including cups, plates, bowls, containers, parchment and wax paper (must have the BPI logo or say BPI certified on the product or its container)
Food-soiled pizza boxes from delivery (clean, empty, and grease-free pizza boxes may be accepted for recycling by your program)
Napkins and food-soiled paper towels
Paper bags soiled with food or grease (if they are not soiled, put them in the recycling)
Paper egg cartons (remove sticker labels)
Paper towel and toilet paper rolls (these are accepted for organics recycling, putting them in the recycling is preferred)
Not accepted:
Asian takeout food pails (unless BPI certified)
Butcher paper, parchment paper, wax paper, and muffin cups (unless BPI certified)
Cartons, including milk cartons, juice boxes, and soup, broth, and wine cartons (these are accepted for recycling)
Coated paper, such as the backing for stickers and labels and pull tabs from restaurants and bars
Fast food wrappers, such as fry bags and burger or sandwich wrappers (unless BPI certified)
Ice cream containers
Microwave popcorn bags
Paper printed with foil or other metallic elements, like glitter
Paper products, including to-go coffee and drink cups, boats, bowls, and plates, without BPI certification
Paper products, like paper towels and napkins, used with chemical-based cleaners
Products labeled “biodegradable” or PLA (polylactic acid) that are not BPI certified
Refrigerated and frozen food boxes
Receipts
Shredded paper
Waxed cardboard produce boxes
Wrapping paper, gift wrap, packing paper, and tissue paper
[ZIRAN Note]: only clean wrapping paper that is made of pure paper can be recycled. A couple of tests can help to discern: 1. crumple test: crumple your paper into a ball, if it crumples well and maintains the crumple shape, it is recyclable. 2. rip test. If your gift wrap tears like printer paper, it’s recyclable. If the wrapping paper won’t tear or you notice a plastic-like layer, it should be placed into your landfill cart. Tissue paper is of poor recyclable or compostable value, so reuse or trash it
Other household items
Accepted:
BPI certified compostable products including cups, plates, bowls, containers, utensils, straws, bags, bamboo products, bagasse products, and single-use coffee pods (must have the BPI logo or say BPI certified on the product or its container)
Coffee grounds and filters
Cotton swabs with paper stems
Houseplants and flowers
Paper tea bags (remove staples)
Tea leaves
Wooden items such as wood chopsticks, popsicle sticks, and toothpicks
Not accepted:
Animal waste or litter
Ash from fireplaces, barbecues, or fire pits (can be composted at backyard)
Charcoal (to safely dispose of charcoal, ensure it's completely cooled, ideally for 48 hours. Wrap it in aluminum foil or a non-combustible container, then discard it in the landfill trash)
Cigarettes
Cleaning and personal care wipes
Cotton balls and swabs used with products like acetone, make-up, and paint
Dental floss
Diapers
Dryer lint and dryer sheets
Floor sweepings
Incontinence products
Latex products, including gloves and balloons
Lumber and sawdust
Note: give it away or donate, otherwise take it to a landfill or transfer station. https://www.hennepin.us/green-disposal-guide/items/wood
Medicines (drop off unused medicines at designated drop boxes in Hennepin County)
Menstrual products
Plastic bags or containers that are not BPI certified
Plastic, metal mesh, and synthetic tea bags
Recyclable materials (glass bottles and jars; paper and cardboard; plastic bottles, jugs, cups, and containers; cartons; metal cans)
Rocks, soil, and dirt
Note: Small amounts are okay. Large amounts of soil and dirt can be spread outside in a garden bed or used as a filler for new potted plants. Large amounts of potting soil may have additives that isn’t beneficial to the commercial compost process.
Rubber and rubber bands
Tape of any kind
Vacuum cleaner bags and contents
Wax and waxed products including wax paper (unless BPI certified), candle wax, car wax, and waxed bones..
Yard waste （ways to dispose: 1. Contact your waste hauler or city 2. Drop off at the designated place in your city. Call before visiting. 3. Backyard composting）
Detailed Organics Recycling List
Hennepin County
ZIRAN Notes - April 2025
Red words are common mistakes
Green words are notes from ZIRAN