Ramsey and Washington Counties have partnered to launch a no-cost food scraps pickup program for Woodbury residents. The initiative comes in response to a significant increase in household food waste during the holiday season, when families generate more organic waste than usual. Residents can participate at no charge, making it an accessible option for managing holiday cooking scraps and food waste.

The council also provided guidance on holiday waste recycling. Certain types of wrapping paper cannot be recycled through standard programs, and residents with broken string lights and extension cords should bring them to the Washington County Environmental Center rather than placing them in regular recycling bins.

A separate initiative highlighted during the meeting was the success of a two-year mattress and box spring curbside pickup pilot program. Working with Ramsey Washington Recycling and Energy and Second Chance Recycling, the program collected over 2,600 mattresses and box springs from nearly 1,500 households, diverting 130,000 pounds of material from landfills.

The council also addressed residential rental licensing, reminding property owners that all rental properties in Woodbury must obtain or renew a rental license annually. The requirement is designed to maintain housing quality and safety standards for tenants and neighbors.

Looking ahead, the city will activate aeration systems at Battle Creek and Kby Lakes in early January, weather permitting. These systems oxygenate the water during winter months to sustain fish populations in the lakes.