Food Scraps Drop-Off

The No. 1 item in our trash is food. Keeping food scraps out of landfills is good for the environment. That’s why over 11,500 households like yours are giving food scraps a new life by participating in Dakota County’s food scraps drop-off program (formerly organics drop-off program).

In 2024, participants delivered 2.2 million pounds of food scraps across all locations. The food scraps go to an industrial compost facility and are turned into compost for gardening and landscaping.

There are 11 food scraps drop off sites located throughout the county — in West St. Paul, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Hastings, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Mendota Heights, and Rosemount (two).

To sign up for the free program, visit www.dakotacounty.us and search “food scraps”, email foodscraps@co.dakota.mn.us or call 952-891-7557. When you sign up, you will receive more information and free compostable bags in the mail.

Partially funded by Dakota County and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.