Share your ideas for a zero-waste future

Humanure composting. This is already being done community-wide at Dancing Rabbit village in northern Missouri.

Bicycle panniers, made from recycled plastic, with a Hennepin County recycling logo prominently displayed.

These could be sold at cost. Owners would be showing their support for recycling. They would also be encouraged to fill their panniers with littered recyclables whenever they go biking.

Strive to eliminate plastic packaging

Encourage major stores (Target, Macy's, Best Buy, etc) to tell their suppliers that as of 2025 they will no longer buy from suppliers who use plastic packaging. We need to get to the source of the plastic packaging problem, not just rely on recycling.

Only pay when you have garbage

In Wheaton Illinois you only paid for the garbage you put out, this encouraged people to compost, recycle. And waste less. My parents reduced their garbage so much through composting and consuming less that they only had to put out a garbage can once a month.

Clear and understandable signage

Recycling, compost, and trash containers in public places must be more clearly and completely labeled. One is often not sure what is compostable, or what one does with recyclable containers with food waste, etc.

Plastic shopping bags

I wish we could recycle these curbside but I know the goal is to use less of them:)

Black plastic

Food containers that can’t be recycled or composted in the city compost program should not be allowed

Packaging

Between food packaging and buying household items, everything seems to come in extra plastic. Super hard to know how or how to recycle the various pieces.

How to make separating trash a habit? Teach young children, parents first. Elders need motivation, incentives. Convenience is key.

I live in a condo and thus no city services. We recycle paper and plastics, but no compost. All trash service should have composting

composting

Substitute recyclable and compostable products for those that are not.

As a consumer, I am left with no options when products I want to purchase do not come in recyclable or compostable packaging. There should be manufacturing incentives for making recyclable and compostable packaging

Restaurants that serve healthy, family-sized dinners in reusable takeout containers. Pay a deposit once, wash, trade in with next order.

Reusable Takeout Containers

Im sure this is a big no no, but I recycle EVERYTHING that has the recycle symbol and hope the city will either take it or send it elsewhere

Recycle EVERYTHING ♻️ with symbol

I review the recycling numbers, remember what I learned in the MRC classes, and check the county website for anything I’m not sure about.

Double and triple check

If I'm not certain, I double check the recycling symbol against what's accepted in my curbside bin. We've always kept the postcard with what's accepted on the door in the kitchen so we can check. I'd rather be certain it can go! And if it can't, I try to see if it could be reused by me or someone in the community before tossing.

I Use a guide

I use the guide provided by my waste management company

More sources for liquids - cleaning products, dairy, oils, beverages -

in reusable containers, or in glass containers that can be returned

Reuse of prescription bottles

I'd ideally like to see a means to collect, sanitize, and recirculate prescription bottles. These bottles are ubiquitous and relatively standard in shape and size.

Organizations recycle more?

I imagine that Hennepin County has some notion of how much waste comes from different industries. Is it more than all of our homes combined? Is there a way to get hospitals, offices, construction, entertainment, etc. industries to become more sustainable?

Look into "Ridwell". Great option we should all promote!

I wish to recycle less and reuse more.

Like borrowing takeout containers, power tools, cooking equipment (ravioli press, mixer...)...