The Business Recycling Best Practices Guide (PDF) will help your business implement a successful and sustainable recycling program. The guide includes information and tips on things like assessing your current situation, identifying the items accepted for recycling and organics recycling in various areas throughout a business, developing an action plan, and setting up your program.
Use the Waste Assessment Checklist (DOCX) to assess your current waste situation and identify opportunities for recycling and organics recycling in each of the main areas of your building.
Improve recycling
Mixed recycling means paper, cardboard, bottles, cans and cartons can all go in one container and get picked up by your hauler. See our recycling guide (PDF) for a list of the most commonly accepted materials. Trash is always collected separately from mixed recycling, and mixed never means trash and recycling together. Call your hauler to learn what services they provide. Hennepin County drop-off facilities accept limited quantities of mixed recycling from businesses.
Learn about organics recycling for food, food waste and non-recyclable paper. By collecting organics for composting or for a food-to-animals program, you can reduce your environmental footprint and recycle more.
Specialized recycling is also available for plastic film, electronics, media, cooking oil, wood pallets and more.
Reduce and reuse
Waste reduction is the most effective way to lower disposal costs. Brainstorm with employees about your day-to-day operations. Find creative ways to reduce waste and substitute less-hazardous products that pose fewer disposal problems.
Use the Minnesota Materials Exchange to donate your used materials and equipment to reduce the cost of disposal and receive tax benefits for donated items in usable or working condition.
The Inbound Waste Inventory (XLSX) is a tool to help you identify and quantify inbound waste to inform supply chain decision-making and prevent waste upstream.
Prevent wasted food
Businesses can play a significant role in preventing and reducing wasted food.
The business recycling grants program can be used for equipment, systems and other needs to support collection of edible food for donation to hunger-relief agencies. The grants can also be used to purchase food waste prevention software to track and identify sources of food waste.
Looking to be paired with a food to people donation program? Submit a business recycling request form to us.