By Cedar Walters

West Central Initiative

Many people assume food waste naturally breaks down in landfills. In reality, landfills are designed to keep waste isolated from the environment, meaning organic materials often decompose without oxygen and produce methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Since nearly 30 percent of what we throw away is organic material, composting food scraps instead helps reduce landfill waste, lower methane emissions, and return valuable nutrients to the soil. 

Fortunately, organics recycling programs—also known as commercial composting—have steadily expanded across west central Minnesota over the last decade. Here’s how these programs work, how they differ from backyard composting, and how you can help keep food waste out of the landfill. 

What is organics recycling?

Organics recycling is the large-scale collection and processing of food waste and other compostable materials into nutrient-rich compost. Because commercial composting facilities carefully manage the composting process, they can accept many materials that aren’t recommended for backyard compost piles, including meat, bones, dairy products, compostable paper products, and BPI Certified compostable items. 

Accepted materials vary by program, so check your local guidelines before participating, and look for the BPI Certified compostable label on disposable products. 

If you don’t have access to an organics recycling program, backyard composting is another great way to keep food scraps out of the landfill. Learn how to get started by visiting the Otter Tail County Backyard Composting page. 

Pope/Douglas Solid Waste Management leads the way 

Pope/Douglas Solid Waste Management launched its organics recycling program as a pilot serving one school district in 2016. Nearly a decade later, the program now collects more than 400,000 pounds of organic waste each year from schools, restaurants, and public drop-off sites. The department also provides resources and technical support to businesses and community events interested in collecting food waste. 

A major milestone came in 2022 with the opening of the Glacial Ridge Compost Facility near Hoffman, which accepts organic waste from surrounding counties. Facilities like this require significant investment, but they make local organics recycling possible by providing a destination for collected food waste. 

“Building a regional facility helps make local organic recycling possible in our rural communities across west central Minnesota,” said Arthur Pattengale, Environmental Assistant for Pope/Douglas Solid Waste Management. “Your food scraps aren’t waste—they’re a valuable resource that helps improve our soils, community, and environment.” 

Organics recycling expands across the region 

Pope/Douglas Solid Waste Management has also helped neighboring counties develop their own programs by sharing lessons learned and technical expertise.

Stevens County launched its organics recycling program in 2021 and now operates four public drop-off sites along with commercial collection for businesses, collecting nearly 789,000 pounds of organic material through August 2025. Grant County has established its own program serving local businesses, including a large food processor that supplies much of the collected material. 

Otter Tail County joined the regional effort in 2022 with commercial collection serving schools and businesses, along with five public drop-off sites. The program now collects about 280,000 pounds of organic material each year and continues to grow. 

“Interest in the program continues to grow,” said Natalee Yates, Public Information and Education Officer for Otter Tail County Solid Waste. “The county continues to distribute food waste drop-off kits to interested residents, with more than 50 new signups already this year.” 

More info: ottertailcounty.gov/department/solid-waste/

Becker County launched its program last year and already has more than 400 residents participating through public drop-off sites, while Clay County is exploring an organics recycling program through a partnership among local residents, the City of Moorhead, and Clay County Solid Waste. 

Take the next step  

As more communities recognize the benefits of composting, organics recycling programs will continue to expand. Building these programs takes funding, partnerships, and community participation, but the long-term benefits are significant for both people and the environment. 

Whether you have access to an organics recycling program or not, everyone can help reduce food waste. If your community offers organics recycling, participate by following accepted material guidelines and keeping contamination out of collection bins. If commercial composting isn’t available where you live, reducing food waste and composting at home are still meaningful ways to keep organic materials out of the landfill. 

Every banana peel, coffee filter, and food scrap kept out of the landfill helps build healthier soils, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create a more sustainable future for west central Minnesota.