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Green To Go Packaging
The City of Edina is committed to reducing the amount of garbage we contribute to incineration and landfills. The Climate Action Plan has a goal to reduce waste collection from the 54,041 tons collected in 2019 to just 51,000 tons by 2030. Part of that goal includes replacing items that can’t be recycled with versions that can. The Green to Go packaging ordinance is one tool to help our community achieve that.
Who’s Affected
Businesses that provide take-out food packaging/containers or utensils. This includes restaurants but also organizations providing food or beverages (free or paid) at events that require a permit or license, including:
- Restaurants
- Gas stations
- Food trucks
- Schools
- Grocery stores
- Convenience stores
Ordinance Highlights
- Single-use takeout/to-go containers and single-use cups must be compostable or recyclable. Black plastic is not recyclable.
- Compostable cups and utensils must be BPI certified or ASTM standard certified compostable. Learn more about BPI/ASTM and find certified products at bpiworld.org.
- Single-use utensils such as forks, knives, and spoons must be compostable.
- Single-use straws may only be provided to customers upon request.
- Restaurants and food establishments which offer single-use products must provide customers with recycling and compost bins in addition to garbage.
- Read the full ordinance.
Note: The City does not provide curbside organics recycling pickup for businesses. Food establishments must contract for organics recycling with their current waste hauler.
- Are there resources available to help my business buy compost and recycling bins?
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Yes! To help businesses get started, Hennepin County has free technical assistance, signs, and grants for up to $3000 to purchase bins. Learn more about Business Recycling Grants.
- Do self-serve straw dispensers meet the single-use straw requirements?
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Yes. Front-of-house self-serve straw dispensers meet the requirement that single-use straws only be provided upon request.
- Can compostable cups use recyclable lids and vice versa?
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No. Compostable cups must use compostable lids and recyclable cups must use recyclable lids – no mixing and matching.
- My food establishment does not have dine-in seating. Do we still need to provide recycling or waste bins?
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No. Food establishments without dine-in seating do not need to provide organics recycling or recycling bins for customers. Food establishments that do not use single-use takeout products at all also do not need to provide waste bins.
- Does this ordinance apply to hospitals or nursing homes?
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No. Hospitals and nursing homes providing food and beverage services are exempt from this ordinance.
- How can I find other ways to reduce waste and save money at my business?
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The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce provides site visits, funding assistance, training, and more through their Waste Wise program.