Ever wondered what secrets your trash might reveal? A deep dive into Moorhead’s garbage cans uncovers surprising truths about recycling habits—and it’s not all pretty. The annual Clay County waste sort, a meticulous analysis of what residents toss out, sheds light on how much recyclable and organic material still ends up in landfills. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite efforts, only 14% of Moorhead’s trash is recyclable, and a staggering 37% is organic waste, mostly food. Why aren’t more people composting or recycling properly?
Clay County Solid Waste conducts this eye-opening survey by sorting through the garbage of 100 randomly selected households—the same ones each year for consistency. This year, volunteers from Minnesota State University Moorhead’s Sustainable Students Association joined in, sifting through 500 pounds of trash. In just one week, these 100 homes generated over 3,300 pounds of waste. Imagine the impact if everyone recycled or composted correctly!
Mara DeRung, the recycling outreach educator for Clay County Solid Waste, explains, ‘This waste sort is like a report card for our community. It shows us where we’re succeeding and where we need to improve.’ For instance, the 14% of recyclable material is split into two categories: 7% can go in curbside bins (paper, plastic, cans, cartons, and cardboard), while the other 7%—like glass, e-waste, and plastic bags—must be taken to drop-off sites. And this is the part most people miss: since 2023, glass is no longer accepted in curbside recycling in Moorhead, but it can still be recycled at designated drop sites.
But why the change? MinnKota, the city’s recycling processor, stopped accepting glass in single-stream recycling due to contamination issues. This highlights a larger problem: recycling isn’t as simple as tossing something into a blue bin. Items like black plastic deli containers and toilet paper rolls are often ‘wish-cycled’—placed in recycling bins with good intentions but ultimately contaminating the stream. Mary Aldrich of MinnKota EnviroServices notes, ‘If there’s no market for the material, it can’t be recycled.’
Organic waste, meanwhile, is a missed opportunity. Rotted produce, coffee grounds, and other food scraps make up a significant portion of Moorhead’s trash. DeRung suggests a composting pilot program could divert this waste from landfills, but without one, residents are encouraged to buy only what they’ll use. Is composting the solution, or is it too much hassle for the average household?
Education is key. Knowing where to take items like glass, hazardous waste, and e-waste—such as the Resource Recovery Center—can make a difference. ‘I can’t force people to take that extra step,’ DeRung admits, ‘but I can give them the tools to do so.’
Paul Fiechtner, Moorhead’s Public Works Director, adds that the waste sort helps the city gauge recycling participation. But the real question remains: How can we bridge the gap between awareness and action?
Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: If recycling and composting were as convenient as throwing something away, would you do it? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation about how we can all do better.
