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	952-988-8400
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 occurred Saturdays in April 2022. Learn about Bloomington's Citywide Curbside Cleanup.

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

The next drop-off is Saturday, October 8, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Map: Brooklyn Park Operations and Maintenance Facility
8300 Noble Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55443

Learn more about the Brooklyn Center recycling events.

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

The next drop-off is Saturday, October 8, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Map: Brooklyn Park Operations and Maintenance Facility
8300 Noble Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55443

Learn more about the Brooklyn Center recycling events.

Brooklyn Park

Curbside pick-up:

• September 17
• September 24
• October 1
• 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.

Map: Central Park
8440 Regent Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443

Learn more about the pumpkin drop-off event. 

Champlin

Curbside pick-up for appliances and drop-off opportunities will resume in Spring 2023. Learn more about Champlin's recycling events.

Corcoran

Drop-off took place in May 2022 at the Public Works Facility. Learn more about Corcoran recycling events.

Crystal (with New Hope)

Curbside pick-up will resume in March 2023. Learn more about the Crystal curbside pick-up.

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

The next drop-off is Saturday, October 8, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Map: Brooklyn Park Operations and Maintenance Facility
8300 Noble Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55443

Learn more about the Brooklyn Center recycling events.

Dayton

Drop-off took place in May 2022 at the Central Park parking lot. Check back for future event information.

Deephaven

Curbside pick-up for leaf and yard waste collection will take place Saturday, November 5, 2022. Learn more about Deephaven recycling events.

Eden Prairie

Curbside and drop-off events took place throughout 2022. Check Eden Prairie's page for upcoming event information.

Edina

A clothing swap took place in April 2022 at Braemar Backyard Rink. Check back for future recycling events.

Golden Valley

Drop-off: annual leaf drop-off will take place:

• Saturday, October 29, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Saturday, November 5, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Friday, November 11, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Saturday, November 12, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Map: Brookview Park
200 Brookview Parkway North, Golden Valley, MN 55426
South of Highway 55 at Winnetka Avenue

Learn more about Golden Valley's leaf drop-off and other events.

Greenfield

Drop-off occurred in May 2022. Check back for future event information.

Greenwood

Curbside pick-up occurred in May 2022. Check back for future event information.

Hanover

Drop-off occurred in May 2022. Check back for future event information.

Hopkins

Drop-off:

• Friday, September 23 from 3 to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, September 24 from 9 a.m. to noon

Map: Hopkins Public Works Building
11100 Excelsior Boulevard, Hopkins, MN 55343
Enter off of Excelsior Boulevard

Learn more about Hopkins events.

Independence

Drop-off occurred in May 2022. Check back for future event information.

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

Drop-off occurred in April 2022. Check back for future event information.

Loretto

Curbside pick-up occurred in May 2022. Check back for future event information.

Maple Grove

Curbside pick-up: Monday, October 3. Have items by the curb by 7 a.m.

Drop-off is Saturday, October 8 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Map: Maple Grove Public Works Facility
9030 Forestview Lane, Maple Grove, MN 55369

Learn more about the Maple Grove events.

Maple Plain

Drop-off occurred in May 2022. Check back for future event information.

Medina

Drop-off occurred in April 2022. Check back for future event information.

Minneapolis

A garden tool swap took place in May 2022. Check back for future event information. 

Minnetonka

Drop-off: Saturday, September 10, 2022, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Map: Minnetonka Public Works
11522 Minnetonka Boulevard, Hopkins MN 55305
East parking lot

Learn more about Minnetonka events.

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

Drop-off occurred in April 2022. Check back for future event information.

Minnetrista

Drop-off occurred in May 2022. Check back for future event information.

New Hope (with Crystal)

Curbside pick-up will resume in March 2023. Learn more about the Crystal curbside pick-up.

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

The next drop-off is Saturday, October 8, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Map: Brooklyn Park Operations and Maintenance Facility
8300 Noble Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55443

Learn more about the Brooklyn Center recycling events.

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

Drop-off occurred in April 2022. Check back for future event information.

Osseo

Drop-off occurred in April 2022. Check back for future event information.

Plymouth

Drop-off events will resume in 2023. Visit the Plymouth website for up-to-date information.

Shorewood

Drop-off occurred in May 2022. Check back for future event information.  

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

Drop-off occurred in April 2022. Check back for future event information.

St. Anthony

Drop-off occurred in May 2022. Check back for future event information.  

St. Bonifacius

Drop-off occurred in May 2022. Check back for future event information.  

St. Louis Park

Drop-off: Saturday, October 1, from 8 a.m. 1 p.m.

Map: St. Louis Park Municipal Service Center
7305 Oxford Street, Minneapolis, MN 55426

Paper shredding event: Sunday, September 18 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Map: Creekside Park
7341 Oxford Street, Minneapolis, MN 55426

Swap events also took place throughout the summer of 2022.

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

Tonka Bay

Curbside pick-up: September – TBD. Check back for more information.

Wayzata

Curbside pick-up took place in May 2022. Check back for future event information.

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 Community Recycling Ambassador!

Community Recycling Ambassadors 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. Community Recycling Ambassadors have the flexibility to pursue and create waste-reduction focused volunteer opportunities that interest them and serve their communities’ unique needs.

Learn about the Community Recycling Ambassador program.

Join the Zero Waste Challenge

Hennepin County’s Zero Waste Challenge programs will help you learn more about preventing waste, recycling, and composting, connect you with resources to help you reach your goals, and provide support and motivation along the way. There are three opportunities to get involved including a personalized, eight-month Zero Waste Challenge, a fully online, month-long Plastic-Free Challenge, and a fully online, month-long Stop Food Waste Challenge.

Learn more about the Zero Waste Challenge programs.

Stay informed

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• Hennepin Environment on Facebook
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• Hennepin Environment on Instagram

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