Recycling has been in the news a lot lately due to shifts in markets and international policy changes. This has left many Minnesotans wondering what is happening to the recycling placed in their bins, and what they can do now to support recycling.

Support recycling by recycling the right stuff

First of all, know that you're recyclables are getting recycled! Unlike on the coasts where they rely heavily on international markets, recyclers in Minnesota send most of the material they collect to local and regional markets to be processed into new materials. Overall, Minnesotans are good recyclers. We have significantly lower contamination rates, or the amount of stuff placed in the recycling that can’t actually be recycled, than elsewhere in the country. And Minnesota state law prohibits materials separated and collected for recycling from being trashed.

The best thing you can do to support recycling is to make sure know what can be recycled and keep stuff that isn’t accepted out.

Know what goes in your recycling cart

Brush up on the basics to make sure you're recycling the right stuff. See our recycling guide (PDF) for the list of what's accepted.

Keep these items out of your recycling cart

Plastic bags

Plastic bags and wrap get tangled in the equipment at recycling sorting facilities and workers spend hours each day removing them. Plastic bags and wrap can be recycled if brought back to a retail drop-off location.

Bags of recycling

Recycling in bags don’t get properly sorted at the recycling facility, and recyclers can’t tell what’s in the bag. Make sure to place your recycling loose in your recycling cart.

Large plastic items

Large plastic items like laundry baskets, storage bins, lawn furniture, and plastic toys, and other large plastic items can't be recycled. There are not good markets for recycling these items, and they are difficult to sort at recycling facilities. Purchase high-quality items, use them for as long as possible, and donate items that are in good shape when you're ready to get rid of them.

Random metal items

Random metal items such as pots and pans, pipes, hangers, and tools can damage equipment and harm workers at recycling facilities. All metal can be recycled, just not in your recycling cart at home. Take random metal items to a scrap metal recycler; find locations on the Green Disposal Guide.

Propane tanks

Cylinders and tanks contain a compressed gas that makes them explosive and potential fire hazards. It is illegal to put propane tanks, helium tanks, and other pressurized cylinders in your household recycling or trash. Properly dispose of all pressurized cylinders; find options on the Green Disposal Guide.

Single-use plastic utensils and straws

Plastic utensils and straws are too small and difficult to sort at recycling facilities, and there aren’t good recycling markets for them. Avoid them by choosing reusable options or refusing them when you can.

Paper plates,cups, and takeout containers

Paper cups, plates, takeout containers can’t be recycled because they are often lined with plastic or contaminated with food. Avoid them by choosing reusable cups, mugs and plates.

Electronics and batteries

Electronics and batteries can’t be sorted properly at recycling facilities, and certain batteries can cause fires at facilities. But batteries and electronics should be recycled at drop-offs. Learn options for batteries and electronics on the Green Disposal Guide.

Cords and string lights

Keep “tanglers” like cords, hoses and string lights out of your recycling bin. As the name suggests, these items get tangled in the equipment at recycling facilities. You can recycle cords and string lights at Hennepin County drop-off facilities. Learn more on the Green Disposal Guide.

Needles and sharps

Needles and sharps should be managed and disposed of safely to prevent injury and disease transmission from needle-sticks. They should never be placed in your recycling cart. Learn about disposal options on the Green Disposal Guide.

Your city recycling coordinator is your point person for information about recycling, trash disposal and special clean ups in your city.

City recycling coordinators

List last review and updated January 2022

City	Phone number
Bloomington	952-563-4659
Brooklyn Center	763-493-8006
Brooklyn Park	763-493-8006
Champlin	763-421-8100
Chanhassen	952-227-1133
Corcoran	763-420-2288
Crystal	763-493-8006
Dayton	763-421-1791
Deephaven	952-946-5277
Eden Prairie	952-949-8330
Edina	952-826-0463
Excelsior	952-474-5233
Golden Valley	763-593-8030
Greenfield	763-477-6464
Greenwood	952-474-6633
Hanover	763-972-3335
Hopkins	952-939-1382
Independence	763-479-0527
Long Lake	952-473-6961
Loretto	763-479-4305
Maple Grove	763-494-6361
Maple Plain	763-479-3335
Medina	763-473-4643
Medicine Lake	763-542-9701
Minneapolis	612-673-2917
Minnetonka	952-472-0600
Minnetonka Beach	952-941-5174
Minnetrista	952-446-1660
Mound	952-472-0603
New Hope	763-493-8006
Orono	952-249-4600
Osseo	763-425-2624
Plymouth	763-509-5906
Richfield	612-861-9188
Robbinsdale	763-531-1211
Rockford	763-477-6565
Rogers	763-428-2253
St. Anthony	763-784-8349
St. Bonifacius	952-446-1061
St. Louis Park	952-924-2562
Shorewood	952-960-7900
Spring Park	952-471-9051
Tonka Bay	952-474-7994
Wayzata	952-404-5363
Woodland	952-474-4755

2022 city cleanup events

Many cities offer cleanup events or special pick-up service for residents to properly dispose of common, hard-to-get-rid-of household items such as appliances, electronics, furniture and more. 

Check with your city for details on accepted items, possible fees, times and locations before the clean-up event. 

Bloomington

Curbside pick-up: Saturdays in April. Have materials out by 7 a.m.

• April 2: East of Portland (Monday hauling district)
• April 9: Penn to Portland (Tuesday hauling district)
• April 16: France to Penn (Wednesday hauling district)
• April 23: Normandale to France (Thursday hauling district)
• April 30: West of Normandale (Friday hauling district)

Learn about Bloomington's Citywide Curbside Cleanup.

Brooklyn Center (with Brooklyn Park, Crystal and New Hope)

Drop-off: Saturday, April 24 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Brooklyn Park Operations and Maintenance Facility, 8300 Noble Avenue North

Learn more about the Brooklyn Center event.

Brooklyn Park (with Brooklyn Center, Crystal and New Hope)

Drop-off: Saturday, April 24 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Brooklyn Park Operations and Maintenance Facility, 8300 Noble Avenue North

Learn more about the Brooklyn Park event.

Brooklyn Park

Curbside pick-up: September 17, September 24, October 1, and October 8. Have materials out by 7 a.m.

Limited to specific neighborhoods. Refer to map to learn more about Brooklyn Park's Curbside Cleanup.

Brooklyn Park (with Brooklyn Center, Crystal and New Hope)

Pumpkin drop-off: November 1-7 at Central Park, 8440 Regent Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443

Learn more about the pumpkin drop-off event.

Champlin

Drop-off: Saturday, May 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mann Theater, 11500 Theatre Drive North

Learn more about the Champlin event.

Champlin

Curbside pick-up for appliances only: Monday, May 23. Have materials out by 7 a.m.

Learn more about Champlin's curbside appliances collection event.

Corcoran

Drop-off: Saturday, May 7 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Public Works Facility, 9100 County Road 19

Learn more about the Corcoran event.

Crystal (with New Hope)

Curbside pick-up: March 28 to April 7. Have materials out by 7 a.m.

Learn more about the Crystal curbside pick-up.

Crystal (with Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park and New Hope)

Drop-off: Saturday, April 24 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Brooklyn Park Operations and Maintenance Facility, 8300 Noble Avenue North

Learn more about the Crystal event.

Dayton

Drop-off: Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Central Park parking lot, adjacent to City Hall at 12260 Diamond Lake Road South

Learn more about the Dayton event.

Deephaven

Curbside pick-up: May 14-16, beginning at 7 a.m.

Drop-off: Saturday, May 14 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Deephaven City Hall.

Learn more about the Deephaven event.

Eden Prairie

• Recycling drop-off: Saturday, April 16 from 8 a.m. to noon at Eden Prairie yard waste site, 9811 Flying Cloud Drive
• Curbside pick-up: May 1 to May 31 by appointment
• Drop-off: Saturday, June 18 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hennepin Technical College, 13100 Collegeview Drive
• Drop-off: Saturday, August 27 from 8 a.m. to noon at Eden Prairie yard waste site, 9811 Flying Cloud Drive

Learn more about Eden Prairie's spring recycling and disposal events.

Edina

Clothing swap: Saturday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Braemar Backyard Rink, 7501 Ikola Way

Learn more about the Edina event.

Golden Valley 

Curbside brush pick-up: Monday, April 25, May 2, and May 9 beginning at 7 a.m.

Learn more about Golden Valley's spring brush pick-up.

Greenfield

Drop-off: Saturday, May 7 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Learn more about the Greenfield event (DOCX).

Greenwood

Curbside pick-up: Saturday, May 21 

Hanover

Drop-off: Saturday, May 14 from 8 a.m. to noon at Hanover Public Works, 11149 Fifth Street NE

Hopkins

Drop-off: Hopkins Public Works Building, 11100 Excelsior Boulevard

• Friday, May 6 from 3 to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Learn more about the Hopkins events.

Independence

Drop-off: Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to noon at 1920 County Road 90 in Independence.

Learn more about the Independence event (PDF).

Long Lake (with Minnetonka Beach, Orono and Spring Park)

Drop-off: Saturday, April 23 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Orono Public Works, 2700 Kelley Parkway

Learn more about the Long Lake, Orono, Minnetonka Beach, and Spring Park cleanup (PDF).

Loretto

Curbside pick-up: Tuesday, May 17 beginning at 6 a.m.

Learn more about the Loretto curbside pick-up.

Maple Grove

• Curbside pick-up: Monday, May 16 beginning at 7 a.m.
• Drop-off: Saturday, May 21 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Maple Grove Public Works Facility, 9030 Forestview Lane

Learn more about the Maple Grove events.

Maple Plain

Drop-off: Saturday, May 21 at Maple Plain Fire Station, 1645 Pioneer Avenue

Learn more about the Maple Plain event.

Medina

Drop-off: Saturday, April 30 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Medina Public Works/Police Facility, 600 Clydesdale Trail

Learn more about the Medina event.

Minneapolis

Garden tool swap: Saturday, May 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at multiple parks throughout the city.

Learn more about the Minneapolis garden tool swap event.

Minnetonka

Drop-off:

• Saturday, June 4 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Minnetonka Public Works, 11522 Minnetonka Boulevard
• Saturday, September 10 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Minnetonka Public Works, 11522 Minnetonka Boulevard

Learn more about the Minnetonka events.

Minnetonka Beach (with Long Lake, Orono and Spring Park)

Drop-off: Saturday, April 23 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Orono Public Works, 2700 Kelley Parkway

Learn more about the Long Lake, Orono, Minnetonka Beach, and Spring Park cleanup (PDF).

Minnetrista

Drop-off: Saturday, May 14 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

New Hope (with Crystal)

Curbside pick-up: March 28 to April 7. Have materials out by 7 a.m.

Learn more about the New Hope curbside pick-up.

New Hope (with Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park and Crystal)

Drop-off: Saturday, April 24 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Brooklyn Park Operations and Maintenance Facility, 8300 Noble Avenue North

Learn more about the New Hope event.

Orono (with Long Lake, Minnetonka Beach and Spring Park)

Drop-off: Saturday, April 23 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Orono Public Works, 2700 Kelley Parkway

Learn more about the Long Lake, Orono, Minnetonka Beach, and Spring Park cleanup (PDF).

Osseo

Drop-off: Saturday, April 16 from 8 a.m. to noon at Osseo Public Works, 800 Broadway Street East

Learn more about the Osseo event.

Plymouth

Drop-off: Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30 at the Plymouth Maintenance Facility, 14900 23rd Avenue North

Learn more about the Plymouth event. 

Shorewood

Drop-off: Saturday, May 21 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Spring Park (with Long Lake, Minnetonka Beach and Orono)

Drop-off: Saturday, April 23 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Orono Public Works, 2700 Kelley Parkway

Learn more about the Long Lake, Orono, Minnetonka Beach, and Spring Park cleanup (PDF).

St. Anthony

Drop-off: Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to noon at the St. Anthony Public Works Facility, 3801 Chandler Drive

Learn more about St. Anthony's annual clean-up day.

St. Bonifacius

Drop-off: Saturday, May 7 from 8 a.m. to noon at Shirley Logelin Park, 8991 Partridge Road

Learn more about the St. Bonifacius event (PDF).

St. Louis Park

Drop-off:

• Saturday, May 21 at the St. Louis Park Municipal Service Center, 7305 Oxford Street
• Saturday, October 1 at St. Louis Park Municipal Service Center, 7305 Oxford Street

Paper shredding events:

• Tuesday, May 17 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Creekside Park, 7341 Oxford Street
• Sunday, September 18 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Creekside Park, 7341 Oxford Street

Swap events:

• Gardening swap: Tuesday, May 24 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Recreation Outdoor Center, 3700 Monterey Drive
• Clothing swap: Thursday, July 28 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Recreation Outdoor Center, 3700 Monterey Drive
• Media swap: Wednesday, August 24 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Recreation Outdoor Center, 3700 Monterey Drive

Learn more about city cleanup days in St. Louis Park.

Tonka Bay

Curbside pick-up: September - TBD

Wayzata

Curbside pick-up: Saturday, May 7 beginning at 7 a.m.

View the Wayzata event flyer (PDF).

Cities with no cleanup event

• Excelsior
• Medicine Lake
• Mound
• Richfield
• Robbinsdale
• Rockford
• Rogers
• Woodland

Property owners are required to provide residents with the opportunity to recycle. Contact your building manager or association to find out where recycling bins are located and what type of sorting system is used at your property. Call your city recycling coordinator if this service is not available.

Contact your building manager or association to find out where recycling bins are located and what type of sorting system is used at your property.

Call your city recycling coordinator if this service is not available.

Learn about the assistance and resources available from Hennepin County.

Volunteer to promote recycling

Show your commitment to the environment by becoming a Master Recycler/Composter!

Master Recycler/Composters are trained on waste prevention, recycling and composting, and effective communication skills through a six-week course. 

Once training is complete, participants commit to volunteering 30 hours putting their skills to work on projects and activities that minimize waste and provide waste reduction, recycling and composting education. Master Recyclers have the flexibility to pursue and create waste-reduction focused volunteer opportunities that interest them and serve their communities’ unique needs.

Learn about the Master Recycler/Composter program. 

Stay informed

Connect with on social media:

• Hennepin Environment on Facebook
• @hennepinenviro on Twitter
• Hennepin Environment on Instagram.

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