As curbside composting expands, Blaine’s neighbors don’t want to take out their trash

To serve northeastern metropolitan areas, the board in March selected Walters, one of three companies that applied, to collect and sort organic waste.

Martinson said counties have contracted with Walters since 2016, and the company now picks up about 70,000 tons of their waste. As part of the new project, the company will expand its Blaine facility from 12,000 to 34,000 square feet.

Walters’ additional space will serve more communities as organic waste recycling services expand. Anoka County, for example, included plans to meet state requirements in its new solid waste plan. Some of its cities, including Fridley, Columbia Heights and Circle Pines, already offer curbside composting.

“The sorting program and technology will provide residents with a simple process for collecting and disposing of food waste,” Jeff Newsome, Walters’ chief operating officer, said in an email. “The program does not require additional carts or additional trucks for collection, reduces traffic, and is the most environmentally friendly approach compared to other collection methods.”

But neighbors in Blaine say the project should find use elsewhere.

DePoint, who lives in the Refuge area north of Walters, said the smell brings his family inside the house several times a year.