Homeowners

Beginning January 1, 2010, a state law requires residents of Anoka, Carver, Hennepin (including City of St. Louis Park residents), Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties who bag their yard waste or other compostable waste to put their waste out for pick up in compostable bags – either paper bags or compostable plastic bags. Residents of Dakota County are already required to use compostable bags for yard waste.

Compostable bags include paper Kraft bags (large brown paper bags) or compostable plastic bags. Compostable plastic bags are usually clear or tinted an opaque shade of green, white, or pink; however the color is not the sure way of determining the compostibility of a plastic bag. Compostable plastic bags should clearly state that they meet ASTM D6400 standards for composting and that they are “compostable”. Bags marked “biodegradable” or “degradable” do not meet the state law.

 

The shelf life of compostable bags is approximately 1- 3 years. Review the product’s specific shelf life and purchase accordingly.

 

Look for the word “compostable” on the box. The words “lawn and leaf” or “yard waste” do not guarantee that the bag is compostable and acceptable to use under the new rule. Visually compostable plastic bags are usually clear or tinted an opaque shade of green, white, or pink, compared to traditional black plastic bags.

 

Once your yard waste is picked up, it is delivered to a compost facility. Plastic bags must be debagged, which increases costs and the chance that plastic bags will be blowing around on site. Some compost sites shred the bag and its contents and attempt to screen the torn pieces of plastics later. Not all plastic shreds can be screened out, which reduces the quality of the finished compost.

 

Most home improvement, grocery and hardware stores now carry bags. If you don’t see them at your local store, ask an employee. Many stores are just learning of this requirement and may appreciate the request.  To help consumers find approved composting bags, the Biodegradable Products Institute has created a chart showing BPI-approved bags and Minnesota retailers.

 

Compostable bags tend to cost slightly more than the traditional black plastic bags; however, given the new demand, prices may be lowered.

 

Compostable bags are required for use with yard waste and compost collection. So any yard waste, organics, or other compostable material must be placed in a compostable bag when collected at the curb.

 

If you do not use a non-compostable bag for yard waste, Waste Management cannot collect your waste. Compost drop-off sites will also require the material to be removed from non-compostable bags and you will be required to take the bag with you.