Disposal guide

Disposal method: Garbage

Bag and put in your garbage cart.

Any plastic that is black in color should go in the garbage. There are several reasons black plastics are not recyclable

• Recycling facilities are not able to sort these out.
• Any type (#) of plastic can be black in color making it not feasible to sort by color alone.
• Facilities use optical sorters (lasers) to sort plastics by type (#). The color black absorbs the laser light so the system is not able to read what type of plastic (#) it is.
• No one wants to buy black plastics to make into a new product.

The weak markets and sorting challenges make it not worth the effort to try to sort them out.

See Accepted recycling

Disposal method: Hazardous waste, Garbage

Alkaline batteries are non-hazardous. You can bag and put them in your garbage. No other type of battery is accepted for pickup by Solid Waste and Recycling or drop off at the South Transfer Station.

All batteries will be recycled if you bring them to a Hennepin County Drop-off facility.

You must bring rechargeable batteries to a drop-off location. They are not accepted for pickup by Solid Waste and Recycling or drop off at the South Transfer Station.  

• Any type of residential battery, bring to a Hennepin County Drop-Off facility
• For local drop-offs for rechargeable batteries, search The Battery Network's website

You must tape the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals of the batteries for safe storage and transport.

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries can cause fires. They are used in many common items like

• electronic greeting cards and toys
• cellphones, smart watches and laptops
• power tools and electric lawn equipment
• e-bikes and electric vehicles

Fires can and do occur in collection vehicles and at waste and recycling facilities. Properly manage batteries to prevent injuries and destruction to vehicles and facilities.

Disposal method: Garbage

Save for reuse. If not usable, bag and put in your garbage cart.

Bubble wrap and Tyvek envelopes cannot be recycled through your blue recycling cart. Look for the How2Recycle logo on envelopes that are entirely plastic. Some may be recycled at drop-off locations with your plastic bags and films.

Learn about the How2Recycle logo

Tyvek envelopes are accepted for recycling by the manufacturer.

Visit Tyvek's website

Disposal method: Garbage

Bag and put in your garbage cart.

Carbon paper is monstly made of ink and fillers. It is not recyclable or compostable.

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

Donate if usable. If not usable, bag and put inside or next to your garbage cart. 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

Some outdoor retailers repair damaged items. Search camping equipment online and reach out to a local shop near you for more information.