Require compost bins in Minnesota schools.

 

The purpose of this bill is to minimize the amount of food waste that is put into landfills by schools. School students

and faculty will be impacted by this bill. All Minnesota schools shall follow this law and add compost bins to their

school.

 

According to the Minnesota pollution control agency, over 78% of school waste could be diverted from trash to organics,

with 50% of these disposables being able to be managed by composting programs for food waste, liquids, and paper that is

unable to be recycled. Although it can cost more to get compostable bags and food serving items, organic recycling is

less expensive than trash hauling, meaning it is not only more environmentally conscious to make the addition of compost

bins, but is also very budget friendly, possibly even neutral. Since the most common material produced by schools is

food waste (at 23.9% of total waste produced by schools), it is only logical that composting should be integrated into

schools to direct this waste to the right location (MPCA).

 

“Compost Bins” shall be defined as receptacles used to store compostable materials before they are recycled.

“Organics” shall be defined as waste that is able to be composted.

“Schools” shall be defined as any educational institution.

 

School districts may have to fund the addition of these compost bins into schools.

 

The state will enforce this law to all schooling institutions in Minnesota. The penalty for any school who refuses shall

be fines and possible legal action for failing to manage waste properly.

 

The act to require compost bins in schools will go into effect at the start of the 2026-2027 school year.