Disposal guide

This searchable guide tells you how to properly dispose of many common and uncommon household items.

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Icon for Post-it notes

Post-it notes

Disposal method: Recycle

What to do:

Put in your recycling cart.

More information:
If the post-it note is smaller than 3 inches, stick it inside a magazine or envelope. This will help ensure it gets sorted with other paper at the recycling facility.
Fun fact:

Each time paper is recycled the fibers break and get shorter. Paper can be recycled up to 7 times before the fibers are to small to make new paper.

Icon for Lead-based paint

Lead-based paint

Disposal method: Hazardous waste

What to do:
Not accepted for pickup Solid Waste & Recycling or drop off at the South Transfer Station. 
Lead-based paint was commonly used in the past in the following items
  • fishing tackle and sinkers
  • buckshot
  • solder
  • pipes
  • stained glass 

Wear gloves and shoe-covers when handling items with lead-based paint. Put small items with lead based paint, paper towels, gloves and shoe covers into a thick sealed plastic bag for storage and transport.

More information:

You can also bring small pieces of wood with lead-based paint to the South Transfer Station with a voucher. Be sure to put them in a sealed plastic bag.

Solid Waste & Recycling customers get 6 clean up vouchers each year. With a voucher, you can bring extra garbage, large items and building materials to the South Transfer Station. You must request a voucher before going to the transfer station.

Learn more about our Voucher program

Fun fact:

Lead is a toxic metal that was used in older homes, including in paint and solder for water pipes. Lead may also be found in lead sinkers used for fishing. Exposure to lead can cause a range of health effects.

Learn more from the Minnesota Department of Health

Icon for Propane tank / cylinder

Propane tank / cylinder

Disposal method: Other

What to do:

Item not accepted for pickup by Solid Waste & Recycling or at the South Transfer Station.

Call the retailer where you purchased the tank to ask about take back and recycling options.

More information:

Pressurized cylinders can injure collection crews if put in carts at your home. Do not attempt to puncture the cylinder. Hennepin County Drop-off facilities will accept one pound propane cylinders.

The following locations accept any size propane cylinder, fire extinguisher, or refrigerant tanks. Call ahead for hours of operations and fees.

  • All Test Inc: 866-958-3473; info@allsafe.net
  • Amerigas: 763-427-6664; amerigas.com
  • Ferrell Gas: 651-438-2619; ferrellgas.com
  • Lakes Gas Co: 612-529-9276; lakesgasco.com
Icon for Pipe - metal

Pipe - metal

Disposal method: Large recyclable item pick up, Drop-off

What to do:
Donate if usable. If not usable, set this item next to your carts on your recycling day. Pipes less than 6 feet in length will be picked up on your recycling week. Limit of 2 large items per week.
More information:
The crew will write your item on a list and a separate truck will come the next business day to pick it up. You may also bring this item to one of the following
Icon for Sink - metal

Sink - metal

Disposal method: Large recyclable item pick up, Drop-off

What to do:
Donate if usable. If not usable, set this item next to your carts out by 6 a.m. on your recycling day. Please label "for Solid Waste". There is a limit of 2 large items per week.
More information:
The crew will write your item on a list and a separate truck will come the next business day to pick it up. You may also bring this item to one of the following
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If you cannot find an item

If you cannot find your item in this list, you can request that we add it to the disposal guide.               Make a request

Resources

Contact us

Solid Waste & Recycling

Public Works

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Phone

612-673-2917

Address

Eastside Maintenance Facility
2635 University Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418

Office hours

8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Friday

This building is closed to the public.