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

Fireworks

Loading...
Loading search results...
Icon for Brochures

Brochures

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 too small to make new paper.

Icon for Furniture - metal

Furniture - metal

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

What to do:
Donate if usable. If not usable, we'll pick this up on your recycling week. Large items must be less than 6 feet in length. Large items must be less than 6 feet in length. Limit of 2 large items per week. Put large items next to your carts on your recycling day. Please label the item "for Solid Waste".
Learn more about Large item collection
More information:
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
Fun fact:
Bridging is a local non-profit who will take usable furniture and household goods. They give it to local families in need.
Visit Bridging's website
Icon for Plastics #3 (PVC), #6 (PS), #7 (other)

Plastics #3 (PVC), #6 (PS), #7 (other)

Disposal method: Garbage

What to do:

Bag and put in your garbage cart.

More information:

These types of plastics have weak markets for recycling. That means that no one wants to buy them to make something new out of them. Here's what is commonly made from these types of plastics

  • polyvinyl chloride (#3 - PVC): plumbing pipe, shower curtains
  • polystyrene (#6 - PS): StyrofoamTM, single-use 'pretty' plastic cups and plates, cold cups (soda, cold coffee, solo cups), hinged to-go containers, portion cups, CD cases
  • other (#7) plastics: polycarbonate, compostable plastics, car parts, any plastic that is not a #1 - #6

The only items you'd want to look to verify if it's a #1 (PET), a #5 (PP), or a #6 (PS) plastic are:

  • plastic cold cups (soda, iced coffee, solo cups)
  • hinged clamshell to-go containers (like one that would hold a salad) 
  • portion cups (the cup the salad dressing would come in)

If the item is a #1 or #5 plastic, that is not black in color, it can be put in your recycling cart.

Fun fact:
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 Can opener - electric

Can opener - electric

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
Icon for Clothes hanger - metal

Clothes hanger - metal

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 on your recycling day. Label the box "for Solid Waste". The garbage 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:
If you are unable to bring to a drop-off site for recycling or set out for Large Item Collection, bag and put in your garbage cart. 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
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.