2026 Marks Resource Renew’s 25th Food Scraps Composting Anniversary!
We have reached an exciting milestone by composting the community’s food scraps for 25 years! We’ve come a long way since 2001, to include implementing the first residential Food Scraps Drop Site Program in the country!
To celebrate, we are planning a few surprises this spring! The first opportunity is coming up fast—join the Solid Waste Facilities Public Tour on Saturday, April 25th to learn about our composting operations, Household Hazardous Waste Facility, and Transfer Station (sign up here). Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to get the news on pop-up events at our Yard Waste Compost Site.
In the meantime, please read about our 25-year journey of food scraps composting!
1994 The Resource Renew Yard Waste Compost Site (YWCS) opened shortly after yard waste was banned from landfills in MN in the early 1990s. Compost and mulch were made from the yard waste dropped off by residents.
2001 A grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) allowed for expansion of the YWCS, along with equipment, for incorporating Source Separated Organic Matter (food scraps) in the composting process. Voluntary commercial collection of food scraps began at this time, from businesses that included the Duluth hospitals and Jeno Paulucci’s food manufacturers.
2004 Resource Renew worked with the area’s waste hauler to pilot a curbside organics service in the Lakeside neighborhood of Duluth. While the community loved having their food waste picked up at their homes, the waste hauler did not want to continue this service throughout the District. A stakeholders meeting mapped out new strategies for keeping food waste out of the landfill.
2004-5 The first Food Scraps Drop Site Program in the country was implemented in the District!
2006-7 The Organic Waste Recovery Mandate (part of our Solid Waste Ordinance) requires diversion of commercial pre-consumer food waste and is the first of its kind in the country. Currently, about 126 businesses and organizations are mandated to divert food waste for organics recycling.
2021 Residential curbside food scraps pickups return to the area thanks to Duluth Compost, a small-business organics hauler that offers subscription-based curbside service in Duluth! Scraps are dropped off at Resource Renew.
2023 Expansion of the drop site program becomes part of our strategic plan with the aim to increase from 9 to 15 drop sites. Additionally, Carlton County expanded to 4 drop sites, and the City of Superior began a drop site program! Waste haulers deliver these scraps to our composting site.
2026 The MPCA grant for organics recycling at multifamily buildings will result in 3 new drop sites and help actualize our goal of 15 total sites. AND IMPORTANTLY, WE ARE CELEBRATING 25 YEARS of FOOD SCRAPS COMPOSTING!
See you at the Yard Waste Compost Site this spring after it opens on April 15th!