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 Compostable plastic

Compostable plastic

Disposal method: Organics, Garbage

What to do:

Look for the BPI compostable logo on food-service items. If the logo is on the cup, bag, utensil or to-go container, bag and put it in your organics recycling cart. If not, bag and put in your garbage. 

See Accepted organics

More information:

There is no cost for Solid Waste & Recycling customers to get a green organics cart at their home. Anyone, including renters, can sign up.

Sign up to get an organics cart at your home

Residents without City service can sign up to use an organics drop-off site.

Sign up to use an organics drop-off site

Fun fact:
Any item labeled compostable must be tested to make sure it is actually compostable.
Learn about the Compostable product labeling law
Icon for Sink - porcelain

Sink - porcelain

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

What to do:
Donate if usable. If not usable, we'll pick this up on your garbage day. 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:
Item will be picked up by the garbage truck. You may also bring this item to the South Transfer Station with a voucher.
Learn more about our Voucher program
Icon for Swing set - wood

Swing set - wood

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

What to do:
Donate if usable. If not usable, we'll pick this up on your garbage day. Concrete must be removed and pieces need to be cut to sections no longer than 6 feet to be picked up. Limit of 2 large items per week. Place next to your carts on your garbage day. Please post a sign or write on the item "for Solid Waste".
Learn more about Large item collection
More information:
Item will be picked up by the garbage truck. You may also bring this item to the South Transfer Station with a voucher.
Learn more about our Voucher program
Icon for Hair dryer, curling iron, straightener

Hair dryer, curling iron, straightener

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

What to do:
Donate if usable. If not usable, bring to one of the following
More information:
You could also keep it 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 and a separate truck will come the next business day to pick it up for recycling.
Learn more about Large item collection
Fun fact:

Both the metal in the curling iron and the metal in the cable are recycled. Only the plastic will end up as trash. If unable to bring to a drop-off facility or set out for pickup, bag and put in your garbage cart.

Icon for Coffee cup - paper

Coffee cup - paper

Disposal method: Garbage, Organics

What to do:

Bag and put in your garbage cart. 

More information:
Some coffee cups are accepted for composting. To be accepted, the BPI logo must be on the cup. BPI certified products will fully and safely break down in the composting process. If you are unsure if an item is BPI certified, visit BPI's website and search their product catalog
BPI Compostable Product Catalog
If you are still unsure, bag and put the item in the garbage.
Fun fact:
Any item labeled compostable must be tested to make sure it is actually compostable.
Learn about the Compostable product labeling law
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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.