Disposal guide

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

Featured search items

Brush and prunings

Mattress and box spring

Paper plates and take out containers – plastic lined

Computer monitor or tower

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Icon for Plastic bottles and jars (#1, #2, #5)

Plastic bottles and jars (#1, #2, #5)

Disposal method: Recycle

What to do:

Empty, rinse, put the cap back on and put in your recycling cart.

More information:
Recycling facilities only accept plastic bottles and containers #1 (PET), #2 (HDPE), and #5 (PP) from food, beverages, bathroom and laundry products. 
Other plastic items that are too big or too small are not able to be sorted correctly. They also do not take plastics that are black in color.
See Accepted recycling
Fun fact:

Rinsing containers helps keep your carts clean and free of critters. A simple rinse or wipe is enough. You do not need to wash the container with soap or water. As long as it feels like an empty container, it will get recycled.

Icon for Light bulb - LED

Light bulb - LED

Disposal method: Hazardous waste, Garbage

What to do:

LED bulbs are not hazardous, however, they will be recycled if brought to a Hennepin County Drop-off facility.

More information:

If unable to bring to a drop-off facility, bag and put in your garbage cart.

Icon for Mason jar - lids

Mason jar - lids

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

What to do:
Donate if usable. If not usable, it’s best to collect and recycle them as scrap metal. Keep them in a box with other small electronic or metal items. When the box is full, set it next to your recycling cart by 6 a.m. on your recycling day. Label the box "for Solid Waste". The crew will write your item on a list. A separate truck will come the next business day to pick it up for recycling.
Learn more about Large Item Collection
More information:
You could also bring to one of the following as scrap metal
Fun fact:

The recycling sorting facility sorts material by their shape, weight and size. Flat materials, like mason jar lids, may get sorted with paper if put in the recycling.

Icon for Bed frame - metal

Bed frame - 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.
Learn more about Large item collection
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
Fun fact:
Bridging is a local non-profit who will take usable furniture and household goods. They give it to local families in need.
Visit Bridging's website
Icon for Egg carton - foam

Egg carton - foam

Disposal method: Garbage

What to do:

Bag and put in your garbage cart.

More information:

Foam is made of #6 (PS) plastic. No foam of any kind: egg cartons, cups, plates, peanuts, or other #6 plastics is able to be recycled. 

Fun fact:

Polystyrene (#6) plastic has very weak to non-existing markets.

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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

Reduce waste, reuse and repair

Get resources to reduce waste, repair, donate usable items and recycle and compost right.

Choose to Reuse

Help keep usable items out of the trash by selling, donating or repairing them.

Drop-off facilities

Hennepin County has two drop-off facilities where you can bring recycling, electronics and appliances.

Green Disposal Guide

Hennepin County's guide to recycling, reusing or disposing of items.

Contact us

Solid Waste & Recycling

Public Works

Facebook

Email Solid Waste & Recycling

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.