Summary of requirements for businesses
Certain businesses (see the list of covered sectors below) that generate one ton of trash per week or contract for eight cubic yards or more of trash per week must have food waste recycling in place
- View the how to comply guide (PDF) for more information.
- Complete the optional self-reporting form (DOCX) to confirm your business is compliant.
- Anonymously submit a complaint about a business not following the requirements.
To be compliant with the requirements, businesses must:
- Have food waste recycling service in place
- Provide food waste collection containers back-of-house and properly label them
- Separate food waste from trash in back-of-house operations. Organics recycling is not required in front-of-house operations
- Provide education and train employees annually
The county also added new requirements for businesses to improve conventional recycling that add service level standards and labeling requirements.
The county will have the authority to enforce these requirements, including the ability to issue warnings or citations for noncompliance. The county provides resources to assist businesses in meeting these requirements.
Covered sectors
Requirement applies to businesses (including commercial businesses, nonprofits and public entities) in the following sectors:
- Restaurants
- Grocery stores
- Food wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers
- Hotels
- Hospitals
- Sports venues
- Event centers
- Caterers
- Nursing and residential care facilities
- Office buildings with dining services
- Farmers markets
- Food shelves and food banks
- Colleges and universities with dining services
- Shopping centers
- Airports
- Golf clubs and country clubs
- Rental kitchens or shared use commercial kitchens
The county board may annually designate by resolution additional business classifications.
Resources
- To help you figure out if your business must comply and what to do to meet the requirements, see the how to comply guide (PDF)
- If you need assistance figuring out how much waste your business generates, see the guide to determining commercial waste (PDF)
- Find training materials for resources on training your staff on new procedures (found in the Education and training resources drawer below)
- Request assistance
- Review the full text of the revised recycling ordinance
- Order free recycling, organics recycling, and trash signs
Request forms
Request a variance by submitting a variance request form (DOCX). A site visit may be required by Hennepin County staff to complete the review of your request.
To apply for approval of a food waste recycling management method not included in Ordinance 13, complete the additional beneficial use application form (DOCX).