Garbage and recycling at an event

Reduce waste at events and learn what to do with the waste you collect.

Event recycling requirements

City collection rental carts for events

Events on private property

We recommend setting up garbage and recycling bins for smaller events. This includes events like weddings and birthday and graduation parties. Even small events create a lot of waste, and a lot of it can be recycled or composted.

City permitted events

If you have a permit from the City to hold your event, you must have a waste and recycling plan. You must also have one-to-one garbage and recycling. This includes all block events and all parades and races. One-to-one means that for every garbage container, there is also a recycling container. The containers should be next to each other.

If you have a zero-waste plan approved by the City, you do not need to have one-to-one garbage and recycling containers.

Event container options

X-frame recycling bin and organics cart at an event

No cost event recycling

You can use and label your own bins or 'rent' metal X-frame bins from neighboring cities at no cost.

Learn more about renting x-frame bins

 

Rent carts for any size event

You can also rent carts from port-a-potty companies, private haulers, or the City. You should call to understand how to rent carts and the cost.

Search online to find a private garbage company

Learn about our cart rental program

 

garbage & recycling containers in business district

Litter container usage

You must ask to use permanent litter containers for your event.

Events in business districts

Metal containers belong to the businesses nearby

  • These containers may be black, red, or blue in color
  • Contact the business district before planning your event

Events in neighborhoods

Concrete or plastic containers belong to a volunteer, or the City

Contact us if you need help finding the owner

Planning your event

Reducing waste at events

Holding a low-waste or zero-waste event is all about planning.

Promoting your event

  • Start with paperless (electronic) invitations and digital promotions.
  • Promote that it is a low-waste or zero-waste event.

Decorations and giveaways

  • Avoid decorations (like plastic-table cloths) that aren't reusable or recyclable.
  • Use or tell your food vendors that only reusable, recyclable or compostable plates, cups, bowls, etc. are allowed.
  • Only give away or allow give aways that are actually usable items that people will keep and use again.

Garbage and recycling containers

  • Put garbage, recycling and/or organics in convenient locations.
  • Label the containers to make proper waste disposal clear and easy.

Celebrate your success

  • Let your guests know how well everyone did after the event is over.
  • If it is an ongoing event, write down what went well and what could have been better for the next event.

Get container labels and check out other low-waste event planning tips from Hennepin County

Estimating garbage and recycling needs for your event

You should answer these questions to help develop your garbage and recycling plan. 

  1. Is the event one day or multiple days?
  2. How many hours is the event?
  3. How many people do you think will come?
  4. Will the entrance(s) and exit(s) be controlled?
  5. What type of food and drinks will be served?
  6. What type of food-service packaging will be used?

Once you answer these questions, make a drawing of your event space and activities.

  • Entrance(s) and exit(s)
  • Food and beverage locations
  • Other activities

Finally mark where you it makes sense to have a 'waste station'. A waste station is a garbage, a recycling and/or an organics cart set next to each other. Count your waste stations to determine the number of each type of cart needed.

Renting carts from the city

What's included in rental fees

An estimate of the total cost will be provided when your application is processed. You will not be billed for the rental until after the event is over. 

  • Fees include
    • Delivery and pickup of carts
    • Proper disposal of collected materials
    • A report of the weight of materials collected
  • Nonprofits are not exempt from cart rental charges, taxes or fees.
  • State solid waste management taxes and County solid waste management fees will apply to all fees associated with rented garbage carts.

Delivery details

  • We'll deliver only within City of Minneapolis limits on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  • Carts are delivered to and picked up from the same location.
    • Placement of carts around your event is the responsibility of the renter.
  • For weekend events, we'll deliver carts to the identified location on Friday, and we'll collect from the same location on Monday. If Monday is a major holiday, we'll collect on Tuesday. 
    • You will need to determine a safe place for delivery for carts for weekend events. We do not lock or secure carts to prevent them from being taken away from the delivery location.
  • You must submit your application at least 10 business days before the date of cart delivery.

Cart rental fees

Rental fees are based on request, not on use. They are not refundable. 

Mobilization fee (covers rental costs of first 4 carts with recycling or organics carts counted first) $80
Additional garbage cart  $15
Additional recycling cart  $5
Additional organics cart $5   

The mobilization fee is a base fee for rental. It covers up to 4 carts. Additional carts will carry the per cart fee. For every 20 carts, you will be charged another mobilization fee, each of which will cover another 4 carts.

Other potential fees

Missing or damaged cart        $50
Contaminated cart $10
Extra material $5 per bag
Unacceptable material Actual cost of disposal1 
Returned check $30

1. Hazardous waste fee starts at $75

Fill out a cart rental application

Estimating rental costs

Total carts rented # of mobilization fees Carts covered by mobilization fee Carts with a per cart charge
7 1 4 3
20 1 4 16
21 2 8 13
41 3 12 31

We count recycling and organics carts first. If you rent two garbage, two recycling and two organics carts, the two recycling and two organics carts will be covered under the mobilization fee. The two garbage carts will be charged the per cart fee.

Contact us

Recycling Coordinator

Public Works - Solid Waste & Recycling

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Email Recycling Coordinator

Phone

612-673-3536

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.