Let's get real about recycling
Your actions matter. Learn how we’re doing at recycling, the impact it has on the environment and local jobs, and how we can do better.
The impact of not recycling
Wasting these valuable resources adds to the rising cost of everything we buy.
If all cans, bottles, boxes and paper were recycled in Minneapolis, we'd save energy, prevent pollution and create jobs. The annual impact would:
- Reduce emissions equivalent of 10,400 cars
- Save enough energy to heat an additional 4,650 homes
- Provide full-time work for 167 people
Recycling fun facts
Aluminum cans
Aluminum cans are able to be recycled into new cans over and over. Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a TV or a computer for 3 hours. In Minneapolis, only around 50% of aluminum cans are recycled.
The lack of recycled aluminum has raised the price of aluminum. This has caused:
- Companies to discontinue certain product lines
- Higher prices for soda, water, and beer
Steel cans
Steel cans can be recycled into new cans over and over. It only takes 25% of the energy to make a recycled can than it does to make a new one.
The lack of recycled steel has raised the price of steel. This has caused:
- Companies to stop making certain products
- Higher prices for beans, fruit, soup and other canned food items
Cardboard and mixed paper
Cardboard and mixed paper can be recycled up to seven times. Recycling a one-foot tall stack of paper saves enough energy for you to take a hot shower daily for a week and produces as much paper as cutting down a 40-foot fir tree.
The lack of recycled paper has raised the price of paper. This has caused:
- Publishers to print fewer copies of books and magazines
- Manufacturers are producing fewer types and colors of paper resulting in printing and mailing delays
Glass bottles and jars
Glass can be endlessly recycled into new bottles and jars and never wear down. Glass can also be recycled into other things like marbles, decorative tiles, insulation and more.
The lack of recycled glass has raised the price of glass. This has caused:
- Brands to switch from glass bottles to plastic bottles
- Markets for amber, green and blue recycled glass to decrease
How we can we do better
There are easy things we can do to recycle better and recycle more.
- Recycle all bottles and cans, cardboard and paper.
- Make sure you’re putting the right items in your recycling cart.
- When in doubt, find out.
Tools to help you recycle right
- Visit our accepted recycling web page
- Get a recycling guide
- Search our disposal guide
- Join our Facebook group
- Sign up for Recycling Reminder emails
Where your recycling goes
Residents do a pretty good job at putting the right items in their recycling cart, but national news stories make many people wonder: does my recycling actually get recycled?
We want to reassure you that all all items accepted for recycling in Minneapolis are made into new products.
After recycling is picked up from your house it is brought to Eureka Recycling where it is sorted into 12-15 different categories. From there, it's sold to companies to be made into new products.
- 74% of recycling is made into new items right here in Minnesota.
- 94% is made into new products in the upper Midwest.
- 98% of recycling stays in North America.
Learn more
Tools to help you recycle right
Learn more
Contact us
Solid Waste & Recycling
Phone
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.