2014-05 Experience EaganExperience Eagan • May/June 2014 • 1
May/June 2014
Experience Eagan
Shopping and So Much More in Cedar Grove
Core Valley, a Fitness Playground for All Ages
August 14, 2014 will be here soon and with it the
opening of the newest retail attraction in the
region, Twin Cities Premium Outlets at Cedar
Avenue and Highway 13 in Eagan. The outlet center
that includes 105 stores – some one-of-their-kind
outlets in Minnesota – will feature a wide range
of clothing, shoes, accessories and housewares.
Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Brooks Brothers, Coach,
Michael Kors, True Religion and more will now be
Eagan destinations for shoppers from throughout
the region as well as destination shoppers from
around the world.
Unlike the previous generation of outlet centers,
Twin Cities Premium Outlets will be a pedestrian
experience with stores laid out along pedestrian
walkways that circle the six buildings and a central
courtyard, where the center’s food pavilion is locat-
ed. The center is within walking distance of the
Remember being a kid at play? The world was our
jungle-gym and staying fit was an afterthought.
We’d get sweaty and dirty, burn calories and tone
muscles and rarely come home without a smile.
Eagan now has an exciting new place called Core
Valley that may help bring back this experience.
What is Core Valley? It’s a new custom-designed
fitness area that encourages outdoor natural play
for all ages. A series of large logs, placed at angles
and at varied heights are designed to encourage
one-of-a-kind workouts on a unique course. The
equipment is located in Eagan’s Central Park near
Cedar Grove Transit Station and is served by park-
ing on-site and in the new Cedar Grove Parking
Garage being built across Eagan Outlets Parkway
from three of the center’s entrances.
While the outlet center is attracting the most
attention in Cedar Grove at this time, the area is
busy with other projects too. As mentioned, the
Cedar Grove Parking Garage is a 1,550 stall two
level facility being built by the Eagan Economic
Development Authority to provide a portion of
the parking for the outlet center, but also to
provide parking for other nearby development.
One of those is the recently announced, Hilton
Home2 hotel that Morrissey Hospitality Companies
is building on Cedar Grove Parkway. The 123
unit hotel is the first of this brand being built in
Minnesota. The hotel is expected to be attractive
the Eagan Community Center and is the first of its
kind in Minnesota.
“Core Valley makes people smile,” says Anne
West, one of the Eagan Community Center’s
Personal Trainers and Posture Alignment
Specialist. “As a trainer it is rewarding to see
people really enjoying being physical and playing
like kids again.”
Whether you are seeking general fitness, athletic
development or training for an obstacle course
run, the Core Valley equipment will help you work
Beyond the Vote –
Become an Election Judge
Each election season the City needs nearly 400
people to serve as election judges at the primary
and general elections. Judges must receive advance
training and may serve on either or both election
dates. The 2014 primary election is August 12 and the
general election is November 4. Are you available to
serve?
Election judges attend a two-hour training session in
July or October. On Election Day, judges may work
a half-day shift of about 8 hours or a full-day shift of
about 16 hours.
To qualify to serve as an election judge you must be
eligible to vote, and be able to read, write and speak
the English language. In addition, you cannot be the
spouse, parent, child or sibling of a candidate, or be
a candidate in the election.
State Law allows election judges to be excused from
work to serve as a judge without loss of pay. The
employee must provide the employer with 20 days’
written notice. Election judges are compensated by
the City for their service.
If you are interested in serving the community as an
election judge, please contact City Clerk Christina
Scipioni at CMScipioni@cityofeagan.com or
(651) 675-5034.
Conserve Water.
Observe Odd/Even.
Remember Eagan’s odd/even outdoor water use
program is in place from April 15 through November
15 every year. If your address ends in an even
number you can use outside water on any even
numbered day. Likewise, odd numbered properties
may water on odd numbered days. Review the fine
points at www.cityofeagan.com/SeasonalNotices.
continued page 2
continued page 3
About 60 of the store names have been released for the Twin Cities Premium Outlets. More names will be released soon.
Experience Eagan • May/June 2014 • 2
Loan Program Helps Homeowners Weatherize
Spring is a great time to think about home improve-
ments, and one of the best improvements you can
make is one that saves you money and makes your
home more energy efficient. The Dakota County
Community Development Agency offers low/
moderate-income homeowners in Eagan an oppor-
tunity to receive weatherization services with a
zero percent, forgivable loan. Weatherization will
permanently reduce energy bills by helping to make
your home more energy efficient while protecting
the health and safety of family members.
Each home will have an energy audit conducted to
determine the weatherization work items needed
to improve the home. Eligible Eagan residents must
own their own home; demonstrate ability to make
mortgage payments; have a gross annual income
within the program income limits; and cannot have
assets greater than $60,000.
Loan Features
w Zero percent interest
w No monthly payments
w Forgivable 15 year loan, with graduated for-
giveness that includes 1/5 (20%) of the princi-
pal loan amount forgiven every three years
It’s Not Only Neighborly, It’s The Law
As the snow retreats and spring arrives, it often
unearths a variety of surprises that have been
hidden by the blanket of snow. The City’s Code
Enforcement staff and the Storm Water Pollution
Prevention team have compiled the following list of
friendly reminders to help residents be good neigh-
bors and to help protect our community.
Keep obstructions out of the public rights-of-way as
they can be washed into the storm sewer and car-
ried to neighborhood lakes and ponds. Leaves and
grass clippings contain phosphorus that turn lakes
and ponds green with weeds and algae.
Did you know the following are public nuisances?
The City can require immediate removal and require
violators to pay the costs for removal or be issued
a citation.
w Keep landscaping products, soil, or other
materials out of the street during a yard proj-
ect
w Ensure that soil, concrete, liquids or other
substances are not tracked into the street
from vehicles or trailers
w Place dumpsters in the driveway and out of
the street
w Keep grass clippings and leaves out of the
streets and off of sidewalks so they are not
carried into storm drains
w Plowing, blowing or shoveling snow/ice into
the street or across a roadway is prohibited.
Only clean water may be discharged to storm
drains. Swimming pool water or clean ground water
from sump pumps may be discharged overland
before reaching the street or storm sewer. Water
from irrigation systems installed in the right-of-way
is also acceptable. For more information visit the
city Web site at www.cityofeagan.com/Inflow.
Please report these or other code violations to the
Citizen Support Center at www.cityofeagan.com/
CitizenSupport.
w Repayable when ownership changes or you
move from the property prior to the end of
the forgivable loan period
w $4,000 loan minimum; $8,500 loan limit
Income limits and more detailed information is
available at www.DakotaCDA.org or by calling Lisa
Henning at (651) 675-4467. Other Home improve-
ment loans are also available for qualified Eagan
Homeowners through the Dakota County CDA.
Program information is also available on the CDA
Web site.
Cedar Grove...from page 1
to individuals and families wanting to be close
to the outlet center, the Mall of America and the
airport. It will also act as a buffer between the
activity at the outlet center and the residential
neighborhoods to the south and will help create
a pedestrian street front through that part of
the neighborhood.
Just east of the mall, ground has been broken
for The Flats at Cedar Grove, a 192 unit apart-
ment project that will feature 11,000 square feet
of retail development on the first floor. The
retail space will offer additional stores and ser-
vices for residents of The Flats and other homes
in the area, which are also within walking dis-
tance of Jensen’s, Cedarvale Lanes and the out-
let center. Jensen’s itself has received approval
for a project that will involve a remodel of the
restaurant interior, the addition of outdoor seat-
ing, expansion of its parking lot and a reorienta-
tion of the main property entrance from Rahn
Road, to take advantage of visibility for outlet
center shoppers as well as other visitors to the
area.
The entire redevelopment is being tied together
for pedestrians with trails and sidewalks that
connect the current trails in the Cedar Grove
neighborhoods with one another and with the
Cedar Grove Transit Station at the west end of
the redevelopment.
The Transit Station has received approval from
the Dakota County Regional Rail Authority for
the construction of a rider platform in the mid-
dle of the Cedar Freeway, similar to the transit
stop on I35-W and 46th Street in Minneapolis.
The platform will be connected to the cur-
rent Transit Station and parking facilities by a
pedestrian overpass. This will permit Red Line
Bus Rapid Transit buses to shorten travel times
between the Mall of America and Apple Valley
by staying in the road right of way, while still
permitting riders to be within walking distance
of the outlet center, other area businesses, the
residential neighborhoods and the park and ride
lot. One of the expected benefits is that outlet
center employees and shoppers in the immedi-
ate area can use transit to get to and from the
outlet center. It will also permit shoppers stay-
ing at the Mall of America hotels to have con-
venient access to the Premium Outlets as well.
The idea of parking once and shopping twice will
be an important part of the overall experience
for the area. The current Cedar Grove Transit
Station will continue to operate while the new
freeway platform is under construction. That
Transit Station project is being designed in 2014,
built in 2015 and will be open and in service in
2016.
As Mayor Maguire indicated in the State of the
City address, the City’s patience and commit-
ment to its vision for a vibrant, pedestrian and
transit-oriented mixed use development in Cedar
Grove is being rewarded with the current devel-
opment and, as the outlet center and other proj-
ects open, they will attract additional investment
in the area that will further its revitalization as
an exciting gateway to Eagan.
Funfest Celebrates
Stars & Stripes
Celebrate your Eagan pride July 3-4 at Eagan
Funfest. Enjoy the festival grounds, car show,
Stars & Stripes Parade, entertainment, carnival,
vendors and much more! Advanced Carnival Tickets
available online in June – save over 50%! Visit
www.eaganfunfest.org for details and like
Eagan Funfest on Facebook.
Be sure your yard project materials are kept out of the streets and
rights-of-way and that only clean water is washed down storm drains.
Experience Eagan • May/June 2014 • 3
Eagan Art Festival Celebrates 20 Years
20 years ago, Whitney Houston topped the
charts, Disney released “The Lion King,” a young
golfer named Tiger Woods won the US Amateur
Championship and the very first Eagan Art Festival
was held at the soccer fields near Yankee Doodle
Road and Highway 13.
Much has changed since 1994, but the Eagan Art
Festival lives on and grows better and stronger each
year. This year’s 20th Anniversary event will take
place Saturday, June 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
and Sunday, June 29, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Now held on the Eagan Festival Grounds at Central
Park, the site has become part of the magic.
Unlike some festivals that run for blocks and blocks,
“Our layout is engaging and feels like a small village
atmosphere,” says Julie Andersen, Eagan Art House
Supervisor and an Art Festival planner. “With 100
artist booths, children’s activities, music, food and
skilled artist demonstrations, all in a beautiful grassy
park location, there is really something for everyone
in a compact, festive area.”
Although festival admittance and ample parking are
free, top-quality artists from across the country par-
ticipate in this juried show. The festival features fine
art and original handmade crafts at virtually every
price-point, as well as tasteful music, children’s art
activities, a variety of food and art demonstrations.
Another special feature of the Eagan Art Festival is
an annual Community Art Project in which all attend-
ees are encouraged to become artists. This year’s
project features Minneapolis artist, Seth Eberle and
is entitled, Faces of Celebration. The project blends
art and technology as “Celebration Selfies” taken
on site are printed and collaged on a large mask.
Photos are also posted on the Faces of Celebration
Facebook page. Participants can post to Facebook
or Instagram during the festival, and throughout
the summer. Smaller masks will also be made and
painted by attendees for display around the commu-
nity this summer.
Entertainment both days includes Steve Clarke
and the Working Stiffs, Alison Scott Band, Paula
Lammers Jazz Combo, The Riverside Swing Band
and the Splatter Sisters for the children. Attendees
will also receive a 15% discount on Art House class
registrations when they register on site during the
festival.
For more information and directions visit www.
EaganArtFestival.com
Can you believe it’s been eight great years of Market
Fest? Each year, this farmers market and entertain-
ment event grows larger, better and more popular
with the community. The much-loved theme nights
like Family Night and Classic Car Night have been
included from year-one, but new favorites like Latino
Night and Going Green have now joined the regular
schedule.
Other new additions have been made over the
years too, like extending the season—opening the
first Wednesday in June and staying open every
Wednesday through September. More produce,
food products, garden art, sauces, candies and bev-
erages are added each season. The market now fea-
tures more than 50 vendors.
Wednesdays, June 4 – September 24, 2014
4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Eagan Festival Grounds
www.cityofeagan.com/marketfest
Market Fest News
Visit the Web site to learn about which vendors and
products are at the market each week, download
the concert schedule with band bios, find out about
special promotions, view a seasonal produce calen-
dar and sign up to join the market’s subscription list
to receive market updates and recipes. Follow us on
www.facebook.com/cityofeagan.com for up to the
minute market news regarding specials, promotions
and weather updates affecting the market.
New This Year
w Eagan Fun Fest carnival rides will be open at
the July 2nd market.
Eight Years of Eagan Market Fest
w Kid’s Veggie Challenge & free kid’s shopping
bag
w New concession vendors for more dinner
options
w Seven new vendors
2014 Market Fest Concert Schedule
Times are 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted
June 4 Percolators
June 11 Everett Smithson Band
June 18 Family Night: The Bazillions
(4 – 6 p.m.)
Choo Choo Bob Live show
(6:30 – 7:30 p.m.)
June 25 Going Green Night:
BBB Jazz Orchestra
July 2 Retro Soul 5
July 9 Randy Mcallister & Band
July 16 Classic Car Night
Eagan Market Fest full season schedule is available
at www.cityofeagan.com/MarketFest.
Get Hooked on
LakeFest 2014
In the land of 10,000 it’s only natural that most
of us appreciate our lakes every day. But on
Saturday, June 14 we kick that appreciation up
a notch at LakeFest. Free fishing, entertain-
ment and natural resource activities will be
available for all ages. No fishing license is need-
ed during this event.
w Free fishing
bait/poles provided or bring your own
w Kid’s nature art activity
w Mad Science kid’s water experiments
w Puppet wagon shows
10:30 a.m., Noon & 1:30 p.m.
w Entertainment
w Visit with outdoor experts and get infor-
mation from state and local agencies on
various lake programs
w Pick up a local fishing guide booklet
w Bring a picnic or purchase picnic items
on site
The event takes place rain or shine at Trapp
Farm Park, 841 Wilderness Run Rd., 10:00 a.m.
– 2:00 p.m. Visit www.cityofeagan.com for
more information
Core Valley...from page 1
toward your fitness goals and keep your workout
fun. Come and climb over, crawl under, swing on
the equipment – the sky is the limit for what you
can do at Core Valley.
“The benefits from Core Valley are numerous,
improved strength, flexibility, balance,” says Anne,
“but, everyone likes to feel like a kid coming off a
playground, and you’ll finish with a smile!”
Core Valley was developed and built by City of
Eagan Fitness and Parks Maintenance staff.
A special kick-off event is being planned for June.
Watch the City Web site at www.cityofeagan.com/
CoreValley for more information. Get out now to
test it for yourself!
Photo by Mark Freier
Photo by Rick Graves
Prsrt stdU.s. PostagePAIDtWIN CItIes MNPerMIt No. 4902* * * * * ECRWSS * *Residential Postal Customer3830 Pilot Knob RoadEagan, Minnesota 55122Page 1
shopping and so Much More in Cedar grove
Beyond the Vote – Become an election Judge
Core Valley, a Fitness Playground for all ages
Conserve Water. observe odd/even.
Page 2
It’s Not only Neighborly, It’s the Law
Loan Program Helps Homeowners Weatherize
Page 3
eagan art Festival Celebrates 20 Years
Celebr-8 eagan Market Fest
get Hooked on LakeFest 2014
Page 4
arbor day & art dedication Celebration
Cascade Bay
share the road - Bike safety tips
Mayor
Mike Maguire
Councilmembers
Paul Bakken Cyndee Fields
Gary Hansen Meg Tilley
City Administrator Dave Osberg
City Hall
(651) 675-5000 • (651) 454-8535 TTY
www.cityofeagan.com
Experience Eagan
Cascade Bay
Make sure you’re ready to take full advantage
of the Eagan summer, by spending it at Cascade
Bay. Last year, WCCO named Cascade Bay as
Minnesota’s best outdoor water park. Come check
it out for yourself.
Season passes make it easy and economical to
visit Cascade Bay frequently. Two types of season
passes are available: one for regular admission and
the other for exclusive use during Cardio Bay hours.
Passes allow unlimited entrance all summer, dis-
count on select classes, a discount on a Cardio Bay
pass, free mini golf, and the option to purchase a
$50 guest punch card so season pass holders can
bring a friend for less ($5 per visit). Only season
pass holders are able to buy guest punch cards.
Cascade Bay will be open
for a Season Preview on
May 31 & June 1, then
open for the season
beginning June 7. Visit
cascadebay.com for
more information and
get ready to play at
Cascade Bay!
Arbor Day & Art Dedication Celebration
Art and nature combine at this year’s Arbor Day
celebration at Patrick Eagan Park and the Eagan Art
House on Wednesday, May 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Arbor Day activities include community plantings of
larger trees to eventually provide shade for the Art
House, additional grasses and flowering plants to
expand and build upon the native prairie-scape. The
bur oak leaf sculpture, Sentience, will be dedicated
and the announcement of the 2014 Arbor Day Poster
Contest winners will be made.
Participants can ask questions of a forester, take
tours of the Art House, receive a free tree seedling
and enjoy refreshments.
For more information about Arbor Day, call (651)
675-5300 or visit cityofeagan.com
Sentience, by Marcia Mceachron, is a dual oak leaf statue designed
to encourage park visitors to experience the interaction of light and
shadow.
’
1. Bicyclists may ride on all
Minnesota roads, except
where restricted.
2. Bicyclists should ride on
the road, and must ride in the
same direction as traffic.
3. Motorists must maintain a
three-foot clearance when passing
a bicyclist.
4. Bicyclists must obey all
traffic control signs and
signals, just as motorists.
5. Motorists and bicyclists
must yield the right-of-way to
each other.
6. Bicyclists must signal their
turns and should ride in a
predictable manner.
8.
Bicyclists should always
wear helmets.
7.
light and rear reflectors when
it’s dark. To increase visibility,
add a rear flashing light.
Bicyclists must use a head-
2014 Environmental Guide
An environmental guide for the cities of Apple Valley, Burnsville and Eagan
www.DakotaValleyRecycling.org
This guide is partially funded by the City of Burnsville, Dakota County and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Don’t Treat Recyclables Like Trash
Dumpster diving may not be your cup of tea. However, the Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) found a wealth of information by digging
in Minnesota’s trash. The results of their recent study show us there’s more
we can do to manage the 3 million tons of garbage disposed of in our state
each year.
The study found that Minnesotans throw away millions of pounds of recyclable
paper, cans and plastics every year, as well as food waste and other compostable
items. See the pie chart (left) for the breakdown of Minnesota’s trash.
Why is REcycLing impoRTAnT?
Our recyclable material has economic value. In 2010, Minnesotans recycled
approximately 2.5 million tons of material worth $690 million.
• Paper gets baled and shipped to paper mills to be reprocessed into
new paper products.
• Plastic gets ground into flakes and then reformed into a variety of items,
from toothbrushes to chairs to soda bottles.
• Metal is exposed to high heat and turned into molten liquid. The liquid
is molded into bars and sent to manufacturers.
• Glass bottles and jars can be melted down and recycled an endless number
of times. Recycled glass makes up about 70 percent of the mix for new
glass containers.
Not recycling costs money. Approximately 1.2 million tons of recyclables are
thrown in the garbage each year, costing more than $200 million to dispose of
in landfills, according to the MPCA.
hoW cAn WE REcycLE moRE?
About 40 percent of what we throw in the garbage could be recycled. When we
increase our efforts, we’ll enjoy more benefits, like conserving energy, protecting
natural resources and conserving landfill space. To learn what you can recycle at
home, visit www.dakotavalleyrecycling.org/curbside.
Find out more about trash, recycling and composting at RethinkRecycling.com.
www.DakotaValleyRecycling.org // twitter.com/DVRecycling // Apple Valley or Burnsville: 952.895.4559 // Eagan: 651.675.5011
The Recycling Zone, run by Dakota County, is your place to
get rid of the stuff you can’t throw in the trash. For a full list
of items that can be disposed of at The Recycling Zone, go
to www.dakotacounty.us and search “materials accepted.”
A valid driver’s license is required to bring items to
The Recycling Zone.
household chemicals & hazardous Waste Area
Items like paint, cleaners, chemicals, batteries, gasoline,
automotive fluids and fluorescent bulbs are accepted for free
from households ONLY. Businesses with hazardous waste
should contact Dakota County at 952-891-7020
for more information.
Recycling
Bring in items such as glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles/
jugs/tubs, metal cans, paper, cardboard, plastic bags, packing
peanuts, scrap metal and cooking oil to be recycled for free.
Separate recyclables by material type.
home sharps
Bring home sharps (needles, syringes, lancets) in a rigid, sealed
container with the label “Do not recycle: household sharps.”
Accepted from residents only.
Electronics Recycling
Items such as computers, laptops, monitors, computer
accessories, TVs, VCRs, DVD players and game systems are
accepted for free from households ONLY. Small household
electronics such as toasters, blenders, coffee makers, hair
dryers and vacuum cleaners are also accepted. Remove
batteries. Business electronics are collected separately;
contact The Recycling Zone for more information.
Free stuff Area
Products brought in for disposal—such as paint, cleaners,
fertilizers and solvents—are available for free to visitors
if they are still useable.
compost Bin sales
Buy backyard compost bins for your home. Call for
availability and pricing.
Aluminum can Redemption
Bring in your aluminum cans and The Recycling Zone
will pay you for them. Call for redemption prices.
Lead sinker Exchange
Exchange your lead tackle for a free sample of a non-lead
alternative.
mercury Thermometer Exchange
Exchange your mercury medical thermometer for a
digital alternative.
services offered at The Recycling Zone
What is in
minnesota’s
Trash?
glass
2.2%
Electronics
1.2%metal
4.5%
haz.
Waste
0.4%
In 2013, Minnesotans generated
nearly 3 million tons of garbage.
About 40% of the material we
put in the trash could be recycled
instead of going to the landfill.
paper
24.5%organics
31%
other
18.3%
plastic
17.9%
651-905-4520
3365 S. Hwy 149 (Dodd Road)
Eagan, MN 55121
www.dakotacounty.us
Search: The Recycling Zone
hours:
Wednesday:
9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Thursday:
Noon – 8 p.m.
Friday:
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday:
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
This guide was printed on Recycled Paper.
www.DakotaValleyRecycling.org // twitter.com/DVRecycling // Apple Valley or Burnsville: 952.895.4559 // Eagan: 651.675.5011
maybe: Depends on your hauler
Some recycling haulers are collecting more materials. Visit www.dakotavalley-
recycling.org/curbside for an up-to-date list of what items are accepted in your
curbside bin. Click on your hauler’s logo to see if you can recycle:
paper: Pizza boxes (NO food residue or grease) • Boxes from frozen food
plastic: Plastic bags and wrap
metal: • Aluminum foil • Aluminum trays or pie tins
• Empty aerosol cans • Scrap metal items
What can go in my Recycling cart at home?
These guidelines apply to residents in Dakota county.
yEs:
• Office and school paper
• Mail and envelopes
• Newspapers, inserts, magazines
and catalogs
• Phone books
• Shredded paper (in closed
paper bag)
• Boxes from cereal, crackers,
pasta and other dry foods
• Boxes from toothpaste,
medications and other toiletries
• Cardboard from empty paper
towel and toilet paper rolls
• Boxes from refrigerated food
and beverage, including beer
and pop cases
• Cardboard boxes (flattened)
no:
• Paper or boxes soiled with food
• Paper towels, napkins or facial
tissues
• Paper cups or plates
• Gift wrap or tissue paper
yEs:
• Metal food and beverage cans
no:
• Containers that held hazardous
products, such as paint thinner
or automotive fluids
yEs:
• Milk and juice cartons
• Juice boxes
• Soup, broth and wine cartons
yEs:
• Glass beverage bottles and
food jars
no:
• Drinking glasses, mugs,
dishes, cookware, pottery
or vases
• Window or mirror glass
• Containers that held
hazardous products, such as
nail polish or hobby paint
• Light bulbs
paper glass
metal
cartons
plastic
composting 101
What is composting?
Composting is nature’s way of recycling. It’s the natural
process of breaking down items such as food, leaves, grass
trimmings and paper products. Larger decomposers, such
as insects and worms, tear and break apart the materials,
while smaller, microscopic organisms break it down further,
releasing nutrients in the process.
The result is a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Composting
helps prevent materials from going to a landfill; instead it can
be used for gardening, landscaping projects, or amending
poor-quality soil.
When talking about composting, the words “organic
materials” or “organics” refer to anything once living and
capable of decay, like plant and animal products. It’s
estimated that about one third of your garbage is made
up of organics! Synthetic, metal or mineral items, such
as plastic bottles or aluminum cans, don’t decay and
should be placed in your recycling bin instead.
how can i
compost?
There are two main ways organic
material can be composted:
1) in a backyard compost bin or
2) at a large-scale commercial
composting facility.
Backyard composting
You can compost some of your organics right in your
backyard. The following items can be placed in a backyard
compost bin:
• Fruit/vegetable scraps and eggshells
• Coffee grounds/filters and tea bags
• Leaves, plant trimmings and grass clippings
• Straw, sawdust and woodchips
Mix the material in your bin with a pitchfork or shovel once
every two to three weeks, and you’ll have useable compost in
about three months. Do not put items like meats, fats, dairy,
bones, grease or pet waste into a backyard compost bin. They
can cause problems with your compost or attract pests.
Learn what you need to start your own backyard composting
bin by visiting www.dakotavalleyrecycling.org/backyard-
composting.
commercial composting: The next Frontier
Large amounts of organics can be composted at a large-scale compost site. Site operators
mound organic material into large piles, where the natural breakdown process can occur
faster and more efficiently than a backyard bin. Because the piles are larger and can be
mixed by machinery, more types of organic materials can be broken down into compost.
The following items can go to a commercial composting site:
• ALL food (including bread, meat and dairy products)
• Coffee grounds/filters and tea bags
• Food-soiled or non-recyclable paper and cardboard
• Paper plates and cups, paper towels and napkins
• Compostable plastic cups (labeled “compostable”)
• Gift wrap and tissue paper
• ALL yard waste (grass, leaves, branches and trees)
Many organics compost sites allow the public to drop off their organics for a fee.
Go online to www.dakotacounty.us and search “commercial compost” for a list
of food and yard waste drop-off sites in your area.
Machines mix large piles of
compost at the Shakopee
Mdewakanton Sioux Organics
Recycling Facility.
Leave caps & lids on for recycling.
yEs:
• ALL plastic bottles
• ALL gallon and ½ gallon milk,
juice and water jugs
• Margarine, cream cheese and
other tubs
• Yogurt, pudding and fruit cups
• Disposable plastic cups
• Plastic deli, fruit and take-out
containers
• Clear plastic packaging from toys
and electronics
no:
• Styrofoam™ plates, cups or
packaging
• PVC pipes
• Toys or school/office supplies
• Containers that held hazardous
products, such as automotive fluids
or pesticides