Ever wonder what happens to your banana peels, coffee grounds and other food scraps after your organics recycling gets picked up? Bloomington’s organics are transported to Dakota Prairie Composting in Shakopee, a state-of-the-art facility that opened in June 2025. The 60-acre location can accept up to 155,500 tons of organic material each year.
During a recent City-organized tour, residents followed the journey from food scraps to finished compost. Food waste is mixed with carbon-rich materials such as wood and yard waste, then ground up and placed in aerated bunkers for about three weeks. Microbes generate heat as they break down the material, resulting in rising steam. Next, the compost cures for about 45 days in long piles called windrows, before being screened and tested for temperature and moisture.
The finished compost is a nutrient-rich soil amendment that helps improve soil health, retain moisture and support plant growth. Each spring, Bloomington residents can pick up three free bags of Dakota Prairie Compost at the City’s annual compost giveaway.
Want to see the process for yourself? Solid Waste staff plan to offer another City-organized tour of Dakota Prairie Composting next spring. To learn about upcoming tour dates and the annual compost giveaway, subscribe to the Garbage and Recycling E-newsletter at blm.mn/esubscribe. Sign up for organics recycling and find more tips at blm.mn/organics.
