Disposal guide

Disposal method: Garbage

Bag and put in your garbage cart. Shredded paper is not recyclable or compostable. 

• Shredded paper is too small to sort at the recycling facility.
• Toner ink from commercial printing contains microplastics making it not compostable.

Avoid shredding paper if you can by switching to online statements and bills.

For paper statements you receive

1. Tear off your name and account information off
2. Put the bigger piece of paper into your recycling
3. Put the small piece with your name and account number into a junk mail envelope. The smaller piece of paper in a bigger envelope will make sure it gets sorted for recycling. 

You could also

• contact a credit union or bank to see if they offer shredding services
• buy a special marker or stamp that blacks out your personal information
• reuse shredded paper for animal bedding

Shredded paper from confidential shred bins or shredding events is recycled. This paper is picked up in a truck solely for paper. These trucks often go directly to a paper mill for recycling. 

Disposal method: Garbage

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

Tissue paper is made of mostly glue and filler. It is not recyclable or compostable.

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

Donate if usable. If not usable, remove and properly manage batteries. Bring the device to one of the following

• Fix-it Clinic (Volunteers will help teach you how to fix it)
• South Transfer Station with a voucher
• Hennepin County Drop-off facility
• electronics recycler

Remove and bring the battery to a drop-off location for recycling.

• 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. Bring the whole device to a drop-off location for recycling if you can't remove the battery.

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: Recycle

Put in your recycling cart.

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

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

Donate if usable. If not usable, separate crossbar from poles and remove any concrete. Poles less than 6 feet in length will be picked up on your recycling week. Limit of 2 large items per week. Place next to your carts on your recycling day. Please post a sign or write on the item "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. You may also bring this item to one of the following

• South Transfer Station with a voucher
• Hennepin County Drop-off facility
• scrap metal recycler