Wasting these valuable resources adds to the rising cost of everything we buy.

• 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

• Papers like 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

By recycling all of our aluminum cans, cardboard and mixed paper we would save energy, prevent pollution and create jobs.

• Reduce emissions equivalent to taking 3,600 cars off the road each year.
• Save enough energy to heat an additional 1,507 homes each year.
• Provide enough full-time work for 84 people each year.

• 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.

• Watch a video of the sorting process or sign up for a tour
• Attend a virtual recycling class
• Contact us to request a presentation for your school, neighborhood, or community group

Recycling in Minnesota supports more than 77,000 jobs.

• Jobs include collection, sorting, transportation, manufacturing, and more.

Solid Waste & Recycling is hiring.