Overview

Property owners can learn the requirements for recycling at apartments. Renters can report an apartment building without recycling.

What to know

• For property owners
• For renters

Recycling requirements

All apartment buildings must have enough garbage and recycling bins for waste generated at the building.

Apartment buildings may be able to:

• Contract with the City for collection services, or
• Contract with any licensed waste hauler

See a list licensed haulers in Minneapolis

Building owners must:

• Provide recycling for their renters
• Provide enough properly-sized containers for recyclables
• Give written information to renters when they move-in and at least once a year

We confirm that apartments recycle

We are verifying apartment buildings are offering recycling across the city. Recycling is also required by Hennepin County and the State.

Read the ordinance

Verify my building has recycling

Property owners and managers may have received a letter asking for proof of compliance. You can verify your building has recycling before receiving a letter.

You must verify that you've complied or contact us by the date indicated on your letter. This will ensure you avoid a potential fine. 

How to verify

Your options to verify depends on the size of your building:

Buildings under 50 units can verify online      

• Fill out our online form to verify recycling is available for your renters

Buildings over 50 units must schedule a site visit

• Schedule a site visit online
• Contact us to schedule a visit

Organics recycling at apartments

Any multi-unit property can start an organics (compost) recycling program.

Benefits

Offering organics can:

• Attract and retain renters
• Lower your garbage bill 

State solid waste taxes and County waste fees apply to garbage, but not to recycling or organics.

Start organics with the City

Contact your hauler and ask if they provide the service. You can see list of haulers that offer organics recycling.

Visit Hennepin County’s Organics Recycling web page 

Start organics with the City

If organics recycling isn't available through your hauler, we may be able to provide it.

1. Call Solid Waste & Recycling
2. Staff will visit the property and determine if we can provide service to your building.
3. You can meet with our staff, but if you're not available, we can inspect the site without you. 
4. If we can provide organics service: we’ll give you an application.
   • Once you return it to us, we'll deliver your carts within 10 business days.
   • Your service will start as soon as you get your carts.

Report a building without recycling

If you live in a building that does not have recycling, you can report it to our office.

• Fill out an online form
• Contact us

We will work with your property manager to get recycling set up.

Organics recycling for renters

Sign up to use an organics drop-off site

Renters can sign up to bring organics to an organics drop-off site. There's no extra cost to use the drop-off sites.

Find an organics drop-off near you

Encourage your property manager to add organics recycling at your building

1. Reach out to others in your building to see how many residents are interested
2. Contact property management
   • Share how many residents are interested
   • Explain that adding organics can retain renters and save the property money
   • Share that Hennepin County has grants to help start an organics recycling program
3. Contact us for help