Why Separate Your Organic Tips for Source Separated Waste? Organics at Home

Organic waste (food waste and food soiled paper) • Minimize odors by including food-soiled is the single largest component in the municipal paper to help absorb excess moisture in the solid waste stream (MSW). Decomposition food waste and by disposing of it on your of organics in a landfill produces methane, a trash day. greenhouse gas 20 times more damaging than CO2. Organics is a valuable material that if • Add a paper bag or pieces of newspaper if properly collected and recycled can help reduce you have problems with too much liquid. pollution and improve overall quality of life. • Use an organics collection container and method that is most convenient for you.

• Label your organics container so everyone in Organics are a Resource the household knows how to sort the waste. Check online for labels or stickers for your Organics Recycling programs are a sustainable containers at home. solution that makes it easy for you to divert your food waste. You can help our community convert your source separated organics into nutrient rich compost that can be used on lawns, flower beds, vegetable gardens and local farms. Organix Solutions’ compostable bags are made from BPI certified compostable materials. These durable yet compostable bags can withstand sunlight, rain and snow – and can stretch to resist most tears and punctures. But when the bags are composted at an industrial composting facility, the bag and the contents will fully compost in a few months. Organics Recycling Resources Made Easy Your Guide for Source Separated Organics Recycling at home.

City Hall 4400 West 78th St, 13065 Orono Parkway Suite 150 Elk River, MN 55330 Bloomington, MN 55435

(763) 441-2020 (763) 972-1101 www.ElkRiverMN.gov/organics www.OrganixSolutions.com Organics Home Setup: Acceptable Items for Unacceptable Items EASY as 1-2-3 Organics Recycling X Styrofoam™ 1 Contact the resources on the reverse side for a X Chip Bags Prepare a permanent spot within complete list of acceptable items. your kitchen and bathroom for Plastic-Coated Items an organics collection container. ALL FOOD SCRAPS X X Recyclable Items • Fruit and Vegetables In your bathroom collect tissues, (cartons, glass, plastic, paper, metal) • Meat, Fish, Bones, Egg Shells, Nuts and Shells cotton swabs, and cardboard 2 • Dairy Products Clothing rolls. In your kitchen collect food X • Bread, Cereal, Pasta, Beans, Rice waste, food-soiled paper, and • Coffee Grounds and Filters, Tea Bags X Coffee Cups not certified compostable other acceptable compostable items. Place them in your X Microwave Popcorn Bags designated collection container. FOOD-SOILED PAPER X Paper coated with Foil 3 • Napkins, Paper Towels, Tissues Once a week tie a secure knot • Pizza Boxes from delivery Twist Ties in the bag and place the bag in X the designated organics disposal X Frozen Food Boxes area. CERTIFIED COMPOSTABLE PRODUCTS X Diapers • Paper and compostable plastic cups, plates, X Sanitary Products bowls, utensils and containers. Look for Thank You for Participating this logo and the term “compostable” on X Pet Waste in the City of Elk River Green certified products. X Cleaning Wipes Bag OrganixTM Program! X Dryer Sheets We provide you with everything you need for a year of organics recycling, including: X Liquids, Oil, Grease 60 Extreme Duty 13 gallon compostable X Cigarette Butts bags Information on receiving nutrient rich compost that you helped create Ongoing customer support: City of Elk River 763-635-1068

Visit your community’s website for more information: www.ElkRiverMN.gov/organics