By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
At the end of the year, Northfield’s contract with Dicks Sanitation (DSI) for residential trash removal will expire. The moment provides the city with the opportunity to reevaluate what they would like out of the city’s garbage removal. While there have been many different discussion points, including the number of spring cleaning days offered, yard waste removal services, and ways to reduce overall trash output. The main conversation point has been around compost services.
Under the current contract with DSI, the city could activate a clause that would have DSI take over compost hauling responsibilities. However, the clause has remained unactivated, while nearly 800 residents in Northfield instead opt to sign up for Northfield Curbside Compost.
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Going forward, Mayor Erica Zweifel stated,they were separating the trash and recycling contract from composting. This would now mean that houses in Northfield would opt out of composting services:
“Do we leave it where folks opt in if they want composting with the city or do we opt out? So it sounded to me like there was consensus around an opt-out option.So, and it’s not mandatory, we’re not mandating compost.” – Erica Zweifel, Northfield Mayor, on KYMN In The Morning
Having an official composter hauler in Northfield would formalize the process for residents. City Administrator Ben Martig said that this deal would allow for increased partnerships between the two organizations, more than what currently exists:
“And to the mayor’s point, it also might open up a lot more opportunities of more proactive education that we could also do in partnership with the provider for that service.” – Ben Martig, Northfield City Administrator, on KYMN In the Morning
Mayor Zweifel praised the deal, citing its importance for the future:
“And so composting is a huge component of our climate action plan and our zero waste plan and keeping as much out of the landfill as possible. You know, our landfill is filling up. We only have a certain number of years left in that landfill and we know that food waste is a huge contributor to greenhouse gases.” – Erica Zweifel, Northfield Mayor, on KYMN In The Morning
Picture by Logan Wells/KYMN News
Picture By Logan Wells/KYMN News
Several members of the City Council were also in favor of the option presented, with Councilor Jessica Peterson-White saying that communications around the issue need to be extra clear so people know what they are signing up for, but that ultimately it was good for the city’s long-term goals:
“This is, it’s one of our, it’s a key piece of our climate action plan, and we really do need to be doing our part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and this is a really key way that we can do it.” – Jessica Peterson-White, Northfield City Councilor at 9/9/2025 City Council Meeting
Going forward, city staff will send out requests for proposals, with a new trash/recycling contract and composting contract set by the end of the year.
As we have more details, we will share them with you.
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