Starting the week of March 7, residents will be able to conveniently recycle organics for composting at the curb. This month, watch for a mailer with information on how to sign up for your organics cart. You can also call Utility Billing at 952-563-8726 to sign up, or send an email to UtilityBilling@bloomingtonmn.gov. Sign up by December 1 to receive your new cart by the program start date. Residents who sign up after December 1 will receive their cart in mid-April at the latest, after the first rollout of carts has been completed. Those who sign up will also receive an organics welcome packet with more information and tips for collecting organics at home.
Residents who sign up for organics will receive a 30-gallon organics cart that will be collected weekly on their garbage day. Curbside organics service will be paid for by all residents in the City’s garbage and recycling program, like regular recycling. The final rate has not yet been approved and set by City Council, but the anticipated cost will be $5.50 per month. Because one third of an average resident’s garbage is organic material that could be composted, residents participating in the organics program can save money by switching to a smaller garbage cart.
After organics are collected from the curb, they are taken to a commercial composting facility where they are recycled and turned into compost, a nutrient-rich addition to soil.
What should you do with your organics in the meantime?
Residents are encouraged to drop off organics at one of the City’s organics drop-off sites. The City will continue to operate the free organics drop-offs for residents in multifamily housing not serviced through the City’s garbage and recycling program. To start composting now, visit blm.mn/organics.
