Green To Go
See container requirements for food and drinks. The rules cover items prepared for immediate consumption and to go.
What to know
The City's Environmentally Acceptable Packaging ordinance is also known as Green To Go.
In this section
- Ordinance overview
- Packaging
- Events and farmers markets
- Exempt items and businesses
- Free help for businesses from Hennepin County and MNimize
Related
Ordinance overview
Types of food and beverages
Under Green To Go, food and beverages that are either:
- Prepared for immediate consumption
- Taken to go
These types of food and beverages must be put in containers that are either:
- Reusable
- Recyclable
- Compostable
Collection bins
Food businesses must provide collection bins for each type of material used.
- Recyclable materials must be recycled.
- Compostable plastics must be composted.
Packaging
Cans, bottles or containers used to package food or beverages for immediate consumption or to go.
Examples
Allowed
- We allow plastic marked with a number #1, #2 or #5.
- We allow compostable plastics that are BPI certified.
Not allowed
- Rigid polystyrene plastic marked with a #6
- Polyethylene (PE) plastic lined paper cups and plates
- Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene)
- Black plastic lids and containers
Black plastic
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 find out 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.
Responsibilities
Event food sponsors and market managers must make sure that to-go food and drink containers at their event or market are collected and handled.
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
More information
For more on Green To Go rules:
Contact Minneapolis 311 if you have questions. Ask for an Environmental Health supervisor.
Exempt items and businesses
Exempt items
Some items do not need to meet Green To Go rules:
- Utensils
- Straws
- Stir sticks
- Foods prepackaged by the manufacturer, producer or distributor
- Plastic films less than 10 mils thick
Exempt businesses
The following organizations do not need to follow Green To Go rules:
- Caterers
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
Free help for businesses
MNimize business assistance
MNimize is a non-profit that:
- Offers financial, technical and other help
- Makes it easier to follow Green To Go rules
MNimize help includes:
- 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
Contact MNimize
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
Green To Go flyers
Our flyers describe the rules of Green To Go. They are available in English, Chinese, Hmong, Korean, Somali and Spanish.
Contact us
Environmental Health
Minneapolis Health Department
Phone
Address
Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 520
Minneapolis, MN 55415