Overview

The City's Environmentally Acceptable Packaging Ordinance is also known as Green To Go. Under Green To Go, food and beverages that are either:

• Prepared for immediate consumption
• Taken to-go

Food must be put in containers that are one of the following:

• Reusable
• Recyclable
• Compostable

Food businesses must provide collection bins for each type of material used. 

• Recyclable materials must be recycled.
• Compostable plastics must be composted. 

Read the Green To Go ordinance

MNimize business assistance

You can get free help from MNimize. MNimize is a non-profit offering financial, technical and other assistance to help you meet Green To Go rules. 

MNimize will help you with:

• Financial support – get up to $1,000 worth of containers that meet Green To Go rules
• Technical assistance - get help finding reusable and certified compostable packaging alternatives
• Staff training
• Other assistance as needed
• Recognition on the MNimize Website for plastic reduction efforts you’re already making

We are partnering with MNimize to improve compliance with Green To Go. MNimize is a program of the Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation.

Contact MNimize at hello@mnimize.org or 651-292-4664.

Learn more about MNimize 

Black plastic

Black plastic food containers are not allowed under Green To Go rules.

Black plastic containers are a problem because they:
•    Are not accepted in Minneapolis residential recycling carts
•    Do not align with the City's Zero Waste Plan goals
•    Are trash

Consider using clear or white recyclable plastic or compostable containers.

Confusing packaging

Beware of packaging that does not meet Green To Go requirements. 

Some products promoted as green, or good for the environment, do not meet Green To Go rules.  Packaging with these terms may not meet Green to Go rules:

• Green alternative
• Degradable
• Biodegradable
• Sustainable

Call 311 or the health department to confirm if a container meets Green To Go rules.  

Events and farmers markets

Event food sponsors and market managers are responsible for the collection and handling of to-go food and drink containers at their event or market. 

Event food sponsors and market managers must:

• Provide recycling collection bins for recyclable food and drink containers
• Provide organics collection bins if any vendors use compostable plastic food containers
• Have systems in place to send collected materials for recycling or composting

Contact Minneapolis 311 if you have questions. Ask for an Environmental Health supervisor.

More on Green To Go rules:

• See Event food sponsors
• See Farmers market managers

Related links

Hennepin County

Get free assistance from the county

Read about business recycling grants from the county

See organics recycling and haulers in the county

Complaints

To report a business that is not following Green To Go rules, contact 311.