Organics Reduction
- Make a list of meals for the week and the food needed to prepare them.
- Buy only the fresh produce you will eat in a week.
- Organize your refrigerator
- What needs to be eaten first? Put those items in front.
- For easy viewing, use glass containers to store leftovers.
- Place food groups together so they are easy to find:
dairy, meats, veggies, fruit, beverages, leftovers, etc., with the oldest food towards the front. - Store your fruits and vegetables in containers or bags that will extend their life span.
- Keep produce dry while stored – wash right before eating.
- Repurpose your food scraps
- Replant roots from lettuces, onions, celery, potatoes, and other veggies.
- Use leftovers to make soups and broths.
- Make smoothies with produce approaching its end of life.
- Preserve your food
- Freeze | Hang Dry | Juice | Pickle | Dry Storing | Cure | Ferment | Clamping | Canning
Composting
St. Croix County does not have a compost site where residents can drop-off leaves, brush, and grass clippings. Consider at-home disposal options like composting and mulching.
Why Compost?
- 25% of American household waste is food scraps that can be composted
- Prevent methane pollution, which is a major factor in global warming
- Save resources, landfill space, enrich soil and return valuable material to the earth
Mix into your garden or flower beds to improve plant growth or over the top of soil and embankments to reduce erosion.
How to Compost
Visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website for their detailed publications on home composting. Here are some resources to get you started:
Home Compost Bin and Kitchen Counter Organics Pail Sale
Quantities are limited. This is a seasonal sales program that runs until April.
At the end of April, you will be notified via email with pick-up instructions. Go to the county's Tree Sale page (scroll to the bottom) to place your order for the next available ordering quantities.