On the menu for fall: Reduce food waste
City News October 2, 2026
As households settle into autumn routines, the City of Albert Lea and Freeborn County encourage residents to manage household waste by reducing, reusing and recycling before throwing items into the trash.
Two places to start with reducing waste are food and compostable paper, which make up 25% of everything thrown in the trash in Minnesota, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). The agency commissioned a study that found:
- The majority of the food that Minnesotans throw out — about 62% — could have been eaten or donated.
- Food that could have been eaten before spoiling makes up 40% of this waste.
- 6% is unopened, unexpired food that could help feed people in need.
For the full study, visit: www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/preventing-wasted-food.
Adopting sustainable everyday habits can save money, conserve natural resources, and significantly reduce the volume of waste going to landfills. By minimizing landfill use, residents can preserve land for food production, development or green space.
Key strategies to reduce household waste
Tackle food waste
- Plan meals and shop smart: Shop with a list to buy only what is needed, and use perishable items first.
- Store food properly: Extend freshness by storing produce correctly, and freeze excess food before it spoils.
- Compost: Divert fruit peels, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and yard waste into backyard compost setups to create nutrient-rich soil.
Maximize reuse and donation: Before throwing away household items, give them a second life. Donate clean clothing, furniture, working electronics and household goods to local charities or thrift shops, or share them through community exchange networks.
Recycle right: Ensure standard curbside recyclable materials—such as clean cardboard, paper, aluminum cans, and accepted plastics—are free of contamination.
Albert Lea residents, with proof of residency, may dispose of brush, yard waste, household garbage and one load of demolition debris for free during the annual fall cleanup on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Transfer Station, 2506 Richway Drive.
Residents may also dispose of other items at reduced rates:
- $10 per item for appliances, sofas and mattresses
- $5 per item for furniture pieces
- $3 per item for passenger car tires
Regular rates apply for rims and electronics.
Transfer Station fall hours
The Transfer Station’s fall hours are now in effect through Nov. 30.
- Monday:            Noon – 6 p.m.
- Tuesday:            11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Wednesday:     Noon – 6 p.m.
- Thursday:          Noon – 6 p.m.
- Friday:                11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Saturday:           9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Sunday: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Closed
Reminder: The Transfer Station accepts only credit cards and checks; no cash is accepted.
Freeborn County Environmental Services
Use the Transfer Station as the last resort after exhausting donation and recycling options.
Freeborn County Environmental Services, 2020 Pioneer Trail, accepts electronics and household hazardous waste on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Staff collect hazardous waste for free and charge a small fee for electronics. For full details, visit the Freeborn County Environmental Services webpage: www.freeborncountymn.gov/177/Recycling-Household-Hazardous-Waste-HHW.
For more information on waste disposal and recycling, visit the City of Albert Lea Waste Disposal webpage: www.cityofalbertlea.org/departments/waste-disposal-and-recycling/.
