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

Loading...
Loading search results...
Icon for Fencing - metal

Fencing - 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. Fencing must
  • be free of concrete
  • be less than 5 feet long and less than 12 inches in diameter
  • secured with tape or twine
  • weigh less than 40 pounds
Please label "for Solid Waste". There is a limit of 2 large items per week. The crew will write your item on a list and a separate truck will come the next business day to pick it up.
Learn more about Large item collection
More information:
You may also bring this item to one of the following
Fun fact:
Recycling sorting facilities can only take food and beverage cans, bottles and trays. Other metal items can hurt employees or damage equipment at the recycling sorting facility.
See Accepted recycling
Icon for Reusable bag - cloth

Reusable bag - cloth

Disposal method: Garbage

What to do:

Donate usable bags. If not usable, bag and put in your garbage cart. Some donation centers accept reusable bags. 

More information:

Only take a reusable shopping bag if needed. Be sure to buy high-quality reusable bags that won't break easily. 

Icon for Drop-cloth (painting)

Drop-cloth (painting)

Disposal method: Garbage

What to do:

Bag and put in your garbage cart.

More information:

Plastic bags or flexible plastic films can not be placed in your recycling cart. They get caught in equipment and are not able to be sorted for recycling. Plastic film that is dirty or covered with paint is not recyclable at drop-off locations.

Icon for Office paper

Office paper

Disposal method: Recycle

What to do:

Put in your recycling cart.

More information:
You do not need to remove staples or windows from envelopes. These will be removed in the paper recycling process.
See Accepted recycling
Fun fact:

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

Icon for Wax and parchment paper

Wax and parchment paper

Disposal method: Garbage

What to do:

Bag and put in your garbage cart. 

More information:
Some wax and parchment paper is accepted for composting. To be accepted, the BPI logo must be on the box. 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
Loading...

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.