Visit the Becker County Facebook page

Organics Recycling

Starting Thursday, September 18, 2025 - Becker County is starting an organics recycling program with funding assistance of a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency grant.

What is Organics Recycling?

Organics recycling is separating organic waste (food waste, paper napkins, etc.) from the trash and keep it out of the landfill. It gets taken to a compost facility where, after 6-9 months, it becomes usable compost that returns the nutrients from the food back to the earth. Organics recycling is also often cheaper to dispose of than trash. It also lowers greenhouse gas emissions from landfills.

Allowable Items

Allowable Items

What is allowed in organics recycling?

Accepted:
  • All food, including dairy and meat
  • Food-soiled paper
    • Napkins
    • Pizza boxes
    • Paper egg cartons
  • BPI Certified compostable foodware
    • Must have BPI logo (see rightbelow)
    • Plates, bowls, cups
  • Other compostable items
    • Coffee grounds/filters
    • Wooden chopsticks, utensils
    • Hair
BPI logo
Look for the BPI logo.
NOT Accepted:
  • Yard waste
    • Leaves
    • Branches
    • Grass clippings
  • Recyclables
    • Metal
    • Plastic (unless it has the BPI logo)
    • Cartons
    • Glass
  • Liquids
    • Cooking grease
    • Oil
    • Drinks
  • Foodware NOT certified compostable
    • Coated with plastic or printing
    • Non-paper
  • Others
    • Styrofoam
    • Gloves
    • Aluminum foil
    • Diapers
    • Pet wasted
    • Menstrual products
Organics Recycling Accepted Products Flyer (PDF)
How to Participate

How to Participate

How can I participate?

We will have free public drop off for organics recycling at several already existing county recycling drop off sites. Also, we will pick up organics recycling from businesses, schools, and other organizations. These services will begin September 18, 2025.

If you would like to be informed about updates to the organics recycling program, fill out this survey and we will email you with news and updates on the organics program.

Public Drop Sites

The following public recycling sites will have an organics recycling drop off beginning September 18, 2025:

Detroit Lakes

Audubon

Lake Park

Starter Kit

Beginning Thursday, September 18 2025, we will have a free starter kit for households to help get you started. It will consist of a kitchen pail, one roll of compostable bags, and informational sheets about the program. They can be picked up at the Becker County Environmental Services Office, on the 3rd floor of the Becker County Courthouse, 915 Lake Ave, Detroit Lakes on weekdays from 8:00-4:30.

Process

All organic waste needs to be put in a BPI certified compostable bag or paper bag.

How to collect food scraps and compostables at home:

  • Line container with BPI certified compostable bag (1 roll provided in free kit) or a brown paper bag.
  • Collect food scraps and other compostable items in container (more details on the 'Allowable Items' tab above).
  • Switch out bag twice a week, or as soon as you notice the bag starting to break down.
  • Put bag in another container/bucket to prevent leaking and aid in transport.
  • Bring your organic waste to a public drop site.
Organics Recycling at Home (PDF)

For business pick up:

  • Call 218-846-7310 or email envservices@co.becker.mn.us to sign up.
  • We will provide collection carts, bins for sorting indoors, some large compostable bags, signage, and information pamphlets to help get you started.
  • We will come to your business and help you determine how and to what capacity you would like to do organics recycling and provide training to staff.
Organics Recycling at Businesses (PDF)

Have any questions?

Call 218-846-7310 or email envservices@co.becker.mn.us for more information.