Home Global Hype

7 Essential Facts About The Cottage Grove Compost Site MN (Including The 2026 Re-Opening Shock)

• minute read
Contents

Are you looking to dispose of yard waste or food scraps in the Cottage Grove, Minnesota area? As of December 23, 2025, the primary, privately-operated Rumpca Companies Cottage Grove Compost Site is currently closed for the season, a critical detail for residents planning their winter or early spring clean-up. This seasonal closure is a regular occurrence, but the exact re-opening date is what every resident needs to know to manage their leaves, grass clippings, and brush effectively.

The Cottage Grove composting landscape is split between this major seasonal yard waste drop-off and a separate, year-round resource for food scraps. Navigating the rules, fees, and accepted materials for each location—including the free Washington County alternatives—is essential to avoid fines and ensure proper disposal. This guide breaks down the most current information, including the expected 2026 schedule and the 24/7 options available right now.

The Rumpca Companies Cottage Grove Compost Site: 2025-2026 Status Update

The most important piece of information for Washington County residents is the current status of the main yard waste facility. The Rumpca Companies Cottage Grove Compost Site is the go-to location for many, but its operations are strictly seasonal. Understanding its location, ownership, and what it accepts is key to your disposal strategy.

Facility Profile and Current Status

  • Facility Name: Rumpca Companies Cottage Grove Compost Site
  • Current Status: CLOSED for the Season
  • Expected Re-Opening: Sometime in the Spring of 2026
  • Address: 9600 Glendenning Rd, Cottage Grove, MN 55016
  • Phone Number: 651-459-1556 (Call for disposal inquiries during closure)
  • Ownership: Privately owned and operated by Rumpca Companies
  • Fee Structure: Charges a fee for yard waste disposal (It is not a free city or county site)

The site primarily serves the disposal needs for large volumes of yard waste, including leaves, grass clippings, and brush. Because the site is privately run, it is crucial to call ahead, even when open, to confirm current fees, accepted materials, and special conditions, such as rules for disposing of ash tree waste or logs and stumps. The "call to a dump" option is available during the closure for those with urgent or commercial disposal needs.

Your 24/7 Solution: Cottage Grove Food Scraps Drop-Off

While the yard waste site is closed, a separate and crucial resource remains open year-round: the city’s dedicated food scraps drop-off location. This program is a vital part of the city's sustainability efforts, converting household waste into valuable compost.

How to Utilize the Food Scraps Program

The City of Cottage Grove offers a convenient, round-the-clock option for residents to divert organic kitchen waste from landfills. This initiative helps to build topical authority around comprehensive composting practices, not just yard waste.

  • Availability: Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • Location: Check the official City of Cottage Grove website for the specific drop-off location address.
  • Accepted Materials: All food scraps, including meat, bones, dairy, fruit and vegetable scraps, bread, pasta, and soiled paper products.
  • The Critical Rule: You must use compostable bags. Do not put any food scraps in regular plastic bags at the drop-off site, as this contaminates the composting process.

This program is separate from the Rumpca yard waste site and focuses exclusively on kitchen organics. It’s an easy way for every household to participate in composting without needing a backyard pile.

Essential Alternatives for Washington County Yard Waste Disposal

If you are a Washington County resident and the Rumpca site is closed, or you prefer a free option, there are key alternatives for yard waste disposal that you should know about. These sites are typically county-run and offer a no-cost solution for common materials like leaves and grass clippings.

The Northern Yard Waste Site (Hugo, MN)

For those willing to drive a bit further north, the Northern Yard Waste Site is a popular, free alternative for Washington County residents.

  • Location: 5527 170th Street North, Hugo, MN
  • Fee: Free for Washington County residents
  • Accepted Yard Waste: Leaves, grass, and brush are commonly accepted.
  • Pro-Tip: Always verify operating hours and accepted materials by calling the site before your visit, as seasonal hours and rules can change without notice.

Other Washington County communities, such as St. Paul Park, also direct residents to look into various local drop-off sites or check with their local garbage hauler for curbside pickup options. Curbside pickup is often available for yard waste in the spring and fall, depending on your provider and municipality.

Navigating Fees, Materials, and Regulations

Disposing of yard waste and brush requires attention to detail, especially regarding fees and what constitutes "accepted material." The term "yard waste" is not universal, and different sites have different rules, which is why the most current advice is always to call first.

Key Disposal Entities and Considerations

To establish strong topical authority, consider these specific entities and materials:

  • Logs and Stumps: Large woody debris like logs and stumps often cannot be taken to standard yard waste sites and may require a specialized disposal location in the area, such as those listed for West St. Paul or Hastings residents.
  • Ash Tree Waste: Due to the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has specific regulations for disposing of ash tree waste. The Rumpca site is listed as a potential disposal location, but you must call to confirm current conditions and fees for this specific material.
  • Commercial vs. Residential: Some sites, including the Rumpca facility, handle both commercial and residential loads, but the fees and rules may differ substantially.
  • The "Four-Inch" Rule: Some yard waste drop-off sites, particularly in nearby municipalities, have a rule that non-woody vegetative material must not be greater than 4 inches in diameter. Always check the specific brush disposal rules for the site you plan to use.

Whether you are a long-time resident or new to the area, keeping up with the seasonal changes and specific requirements of the Cottage Grove and Washington County composting and yard waste sites is essential for responsible waste management. Plan your clean-up around the 2026 re-opening and take advantage of the 24/7 food scraps program today.

7 Essential Facts About the Cottage Grove Compost Site MN (Including the 2026 Re-Opening Shock)
cottage grove compost mn
cottage grove compost mn

Detail Author:

  • Name : Mr. Ryleigh Reichert
  • Username : amanda.hettinger
  • Email : altenwerth.boyd@yahoo.com
  • Birthdate : 1999-04-30
  • Address : 12936 Elnora Springs East Ollie, ND 53049-1065
  • Phone : +1 (520) 761-2435
  • Company : Green-Lakin
  • Job : Nonfarm Animal Caretaker
  • Bio : Provident esse quo consequatur consequatur blanditiis. Optio labore voluptatum tenetur voluptatum nisi eos et et. Deserunt tenetur nobis labore optio distinctio voluptatem.

Socials

facebook:

  • url : https://facebook.com/nhessel
  • username : nhessel
  • bio : Est pariatur et iure id inventore et. Dignissimos magnam natus dolorem qui.
  • followers : 1476
  • following : 2029

tiktok:

Random Posts