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

Fireworks

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Icon for Shelf / shelves - metal

Shelf / shelves - metal

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

What to do:
Donate if usable. If not usable, we'll pick this up on your garbage day. Large items must be less than 6 feet in length. Limit of 2 large items per week. Put large items next to your carts by 6 a.m. on your garbage day. Please label the item "for Solid Waste".
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 Aerosol can - non hazardous

Aerosol can - non hazardous

Disposal method: Hazardous waste, Recycle

What to do:

Bring full or partly full aerosol cans to a Hennepin County Drop-off facility. 

Put empty spray cans from non-hazardous products in your recycling cart. This includes items like
  • spray cheese
  • whipped cream
  • shaving cream
  • sun screen
  • air fresheners
More information:
Hazardous spray cans include
  • butane
  • penetrants
  • hair spray
  • bug spray
  • spray paint
Items marked Caution, Caustic, Corrosive, Danger, Flammable, Poison, Volatile, or Warning are considered hazardous waste.
Bag and put empty spray cans from hazardous products in the garbage.  
Fun fact:

Full or partially full spray cans are a safety hazard for collection crews.

Icon for Window screen - metal frame

Window screen - metal frame

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 10 window screens per recycling 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:

Post on a neighborhood social media platform to see if anyone in your neighborhood is interested.

Icon for Light bulb - fluorescent, CFL

Light bulb - fluorescent, CFL

Disposal method: Hazardous waste

What to do:
Not accepted for pickup Solid Waste & Recycling or drop off at the South Transfer Station.
Bring to a Hennepin County Drop-off facility
More information:

You can also call your local hardware store to see if they accept bulbs from residents. Make sure to ask if there's a limit and a fee for drop-off. 

Fun fact:

It is illegal to throw CFLs in the garbage due to the presence of a small amount of mercury. Beginning January 1, 2026, stores were no longer able to sell CFL bulbs in Minnesota.

Icon for Sharps - needles and syringes

Sharps - needles and syringes

Disposal method: Hazardous waste, Other

What to do:

There are several options to manage household sharps.

Learn more about sharps disposal options

More information:

Make sure to store properly store sharps at your home.

  • Store in a hard plastic container with a screw on lid
  • Label the container "household sharps, do not recycle"
  • Put needles in the container point first
  • Only fill the container half way
  • Keep lid screwed on and out of the reach of children
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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.