Organized Collection



Richfield is organizing residential curbside garbage, recycling, organics, yard waste, and bulky item collection services for 1-3 unit homes, joining a growing number of cities and towns in Minnesota and a common nationwide practice.  This means that existing haulers each get a number of Richfield households to serve, equal to their market share, and in the same area to coordinate collection more easily. This program will reduce the number of garbage trucks traveling on roads in Richfield, reduce air, noise, and other forms of pollution, and save most households money. 

Signing up for Organics Collection
(if you live in a single family household, twinhome, or duplex only)
Click here to sign up for curbside organics collection. This is not yard waste collection. Residents will be able to sign up at any time for this service, even after organized collection starts in October. Residents have to sign up for the service to receive a cart for organics collection, but all residents under the organized collection system will be charged for the service, regardless of participation. More information is available on the sign-up page and will be shared with residents in many ways.  If you would like to learn more about what organics includes, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a document that addresses several questions residents might have. It is updated as new questions are received.

Pricing under the approved Organized Collection contract
OC pricing
                                                     Collection Slide 3

Why is the City pursuing this?waste comp

There are a variety of benefits to an organized system, with some  being specific to a consortium approach, which is what the city is required to pursue at this time. These benefits are broadly economic, environmental, and social. Here is a document with numerous benefits listed and explained more in-depth. 

As an example, the chart to the right shows that there are significant portions of the waste stream that can be diverted correctly to more beneficial disposal methods like recycling,  composting, and reuse. An organized system will streamline education so residents have a better idea of where different materials should go. Reducing the amount of waste that's thrown away will result in savings for residents as well as environmental benefits from both collecting and incinerating/landfilling less waste.

Common concerns and feedback from residents about the current system include:

  • Frustration dealing with haulers and constantly shopping around when rates are raised
  • A large number of trucks traveling up and down neighborhood streets at higher speeds due to infrequent stops
  • Public dumping around town as a result of residents potentially not having waste collection services
  • Lack of bargaining power as one household, especially when it comes to surprise charges or rate increases
Process Timeline 
This document highlights the organized collection process to this point, including the public engagement meetings that have been done. 

Questions or feedback? Contact Rachel Lindholm at rlindholm@richfieldmn.gov or at (612) 861-9188.