Additional Recycling and Resources

Food Scraps and Composting

Food Scraps Collection at Home
Do you want to recycle your food scraps?  Get a small container for your home (a lidded pail) and get compostable bags from the Ramsey County yard waste site. Fill your bag-lined container with your food scraps and other acceptable items, then take it to the food scraps collection dumpster at the yard waste sites.  Dispose of the bag and pick up a new compostable bag for your container.  Our office still has two small food scraps containers.  To request a container from the Payne-Phalen Community Council office, please email recycling@paynephalen.org and include your name, address, and phone number.  We will arrange to drop off a container at your residence or for you to get it at our office. When these are gone we will not have more.

Food Scraps Collection Sites
In addition to the Ramsey County Yard Waste sites, the city has sites that are open year-round to take your food scraps: stpaul.gov/food-scraps-collection.  Most are open 24/7. Current sites: Como Park (1149 Beulah Lane), Highland Park (800 Snelling Ave S.), and Union Park (corner of Carroll Ave & Griggs St N.). Visit the city website for maps and updates.

Composting at Home
Are you interested in trying composting at home?  You can find information on backyard composting on several sites:

Eureka Recycling

Visit the Eureka Recycling website and find resources on how to prevent wasted food and save money, getting to zero waste, backyard composting, and more   https://eurekarecycling.org/resource-library/

Compost bin sales

Compost bins are offered for sale each spring through the Recycling Association of Minnesota RAM bins. Discounts are usually offered for Ramsey County residents.

Recycling at Events

Do you have a family reunion, wedding, company picnic, or fundraiser coming up?  Collect the recycling and compostable items (food scraps) at your event using Clear Stream container stands.  Containers are easy to transport, quick to set up, and can be used indoors or outdoors.  Borrow for your food scraps, recycling, or both!

If you live in the Payne-Phalen Community Council (District 5) area, email recycling@paynephalen.org to reserve containers and for more information.  Your reservation includes containers, bags, and signs.  Please reserve at least one week in advance.  Pick up and return containers to the Payne-Phalen Community Council office at 567 Payne Avenue.

Additional locations to borrow Clear Stream containers from:
The City of Saint Paul and many of the District Councils have containers to loan.  Contact the City at 266-8866 or visit the City website  for information stpaul.gov/recycling-and-waste-reduction/event-recycling-and-composting.  If the City of Saint Paul and the district council don’t have any available when you need them, Ramsey County Environmental Health office also has containers to loan.  For details and to reserve containers, call their office at 651-266-1199 or visit ramseycounty.us/residents/recycling-containers-events.

Litter Programs

If you are concerned about ongoing litter and trash in the neighborhood, the City of St. Paul has the Litter programs with several ways residents can get involved and help.  The City supplies the trash bags, gloves, and disposal and you – or your group – provides the time and energy.   You can have a one-time litter pickup, adopt a block, or adopt a container.  https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/public-works/garbage-and-recycling/saint-paul-litter-programs

  • One-Time Litter Cleanup:  Choose an area to collect litter, such as a sidewalk, park, or block.  Fill out the form required on their website.  Put the bagged litter in your own trash cart or container.  If home disposal isn’t possible you can arrange for a pickup.
  • Adopt a Block: Requirements include a minimum 2-year commitment and to clean all four sides of the block and the alley at least 4 times a year.  Put the bagged litter in your own trash container and food scraps in a backyard compost or take to a Ramsey County Yard Waste site.  See all requirements and complete the form on the website.
  • Adopt a Container: Requirements include a minimum 2-year commitment, you supply bags and remove filled bags and dispose of them in your trash container. See all requirements and complete the form on the website.

Bulky Items Disposal

If you have large items that can’t go in your garbage, they might be eligible for bulky item pickup. All households with 1 to 4 units are allowed one bulky item pick-up per unit, per calendar month with regular garbage service. These pickups are included in the cost of your regular collection. You may have a maximum of 3 total appliances and/or electronics picked up per unit annually.  More information stpaul.gov/garbage/residential/bulky-item-collection.

More Waste Reduction Ideas

Borrow, repair, or donate items instead of throwing them. stpaul.gov/public-works/waste-reduction-and-reuse

  • Fix-It Clinics: Ramsey County offers monthly events where you can bring clothing, small household appliances and electronics and volunteers will help to repair or fix the item. Sometimes they can tell you where the problem is if it isn’t a typical problem. Find more information and upcoming dates at ramseycountymn.gov/recycling/fix-it-clinics.
  • Minnesota Tool Library: Need a special tool for a project?  Instead of buying it, borrow it!  https://www.mntoollibrary.org/
  • Building Materials Reuse: Starting a demolition or renovation project? Salvage and donate items in usable condition instead of throwing them. You can purchase materials for your projects, too! There are even grants available for deconstruction projects. ramseycountymn.gov/recycling/building-materials-reuse
  • Minnesota Toy Library: a toy lending program for families with children up to age 5. Like a regular library, you check out toys for 2-4 weeks then exchange them. https://mplstoylibrary.org/

Find more reuse options and ideas for reducing food waste, including food storage tips. stpaul.gov/public-works/waste-reduction-and-reuse

Illegal Dumping

Report illegal dumping on the city website stpaul.gov/public-works/garbage/saint-paul-litter-programs.