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 Plexi-glass

Plexi-glass

Disposal method: Garbage

What to do:

Bag and put in or set next to your garbage cart with a sign that says "for Solid Waste". Plexi-glass is made of a non-recyclable type of plastic.

More information:
The following types of glass are not recyclable:
  • drinking glasses and ceramics
  • window glass and mirrors
  • bakeware and Pyrex™
  • decorative glass (vases, candle holders)
They have strengthening additives and have different melting points than glass bottles and jars.
Fun fact:
  • Recycling sorting facilities can only take glass bottles and jars. If it came with a food or beverage inside it, it is recyclable, even if it is broken. Empty mason jars are also recyclable.
  • Recycling facilities only accept plastic bottles and containers #1 (PET), #2 (HDPE), and #5 (PP) from food, beverages, bathroom and laundry products. Other plastic items that are too big or too small are not able to be sorted correctly. They also do not take plastics that are black in color.
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
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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.