More Than 1,100 SLP Residents Sign Up for Organics Recycling

About 10 percent of St. Louis Park residents have signed up for the city's new organics recycling program since it debuted in October, on par with city staff's goal for the programs.

Paying $40 per year, about 1,150 St. Louis Park residents have signed up for organics recycling, receiving a cart and a supply of compostable bags.

St. Louis Park also debuted a new single-sort recycling program, giving residents a 90-gallon bin designed to hold two weeks worth of magazines, toilet paper rolls, aluminum foil, metal flatware, plastic buckets and other recyclables.

Scott Merkley, St. Louis Park's services manager, told the Star Tribune he's hopeful that 15 to 20 percent of the city's residents will sign up for the organics program by the end of its first year.

“After just two months, we’re right on track and happy with the numbers,” he said. “We’re certainly going to be working to promote the program.”

St. Louis Park is also adding an organics option to its waste stations in city facilities.

“Residents want to do the right thing, but sometimes they do what’s easiest,” Merkley said. “These have a lot of pictures. We’re trying to give the proper education.”