III.2. Proclamation Recognizing International Compost Awareness Week; Larson
CITY OF HOPKINS
City Council Report 2026-036
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: Mikala Larson, Sustainability Specialist
Date: April 21, 2026
Subject: Proclamation Recognizing International Compost Awareness Week
RECOMMENDED ACTION
MOTION TO adopt a proclamation Recognizing International Compost Awareness Week.
OVERVIEW
Compost is a nutrient-rich soil amendment made from recycled organic material
(organics), like food scraps, food-soiled paper, and certified-compostable products.
Collected organics are brought to facilities where compost is made over months of
processing. It is a much better option to compost organics instead of landfilling.
This year, International Compost Awareness Week is from May 3 – May 9, 2026 and the
theme is “Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us”. ICAW is the largest, most far-reaching
education and awareness campaign celebrating compost. The mission is simple but
powerful: bring people together to share the benefits of composting organics and using
compost to build healthier soil.
The Hopkins Climate Solutions Plan establishes a target to recycle or compost 75% of
waste by 2030. Maximizing waste diversion will help the City meet its goals, along with
supporting County and State waste diversion goals. Hopkins residents in 1-4 unit homes
can opt-in to curbside organics recycling, and starting May 5th, residents in multifamily
homes can participate in drop-off organics recycling at the Downtown Park organics
drop-off site.
On May 5th from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., the City of Hopkins is holding a grand opening of the
new organics drop-off site. The event will take place at Downtown Park, 40 9th Ave S.,
where community members can sign-up for the organics drop-off program, pick up a free
organics collection starter kit, enjoy refreshments with neighbors, and get a site tour.
Next Steps
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a proclamation recognizing May 3 – May
9, 2026 as International Compost Awareness Week.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
• Proclamation Recognizing International Compost Awareness Week
Engineering
A Proclamation Recognizing International
Compost Awareness Week
WHEREAS, International Compost Awareness Week is the largest, most far-reaching
education and awareness campaign celebrating compost, with the mission to bring
people together to share the benefits of composting organics and using compost to build
healthier soil; and
WHEREAS, approximately 25% of compostable material in Hennepin County is sent to
the trash, and composting is one of the primary methods communities can use to reach
waste diversion goals, including Hopkins’ 2030 target to recycle or compost 75% of waste;
and
WHEREAS, Hopkins residents can enhance community sustainability by participating in
curbside and drop-off organics programs; and
WHEREAS, applying finished compost is a proven method of growing healthy food,
conserving water, providing resiliency during flooding conditions, reducing water
consumption and non-point pollution, decreasing the dependence on chemical fertilizers,
and decreasing erosion; and
NOW THEREFORE, I, Patrick Hanlon, Mayor of the City of Hopkins in the State of
Minnesota, along with my fellow Council Members, recognize, adopt, and proclaim May
3 – May 9, 2026 as International Compost Awareness Week, and encourage all residents
to participate in their local organics collection programs and utilize compost to support a low-
waste Hopkins community.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set
my hand and caused the Seal of the City of
Hopkins, Minnesota to be affixed this 21st day of
April 2026.
Patrick Hanlon, Mayor