How to recycle

No separation of items is necessary. Simply place all items together in the single sort recycling container. Rinse containers and allow them to dry before recycling them. To be an effective recycler, it is important to follow these simple guidelines (PDF). Just remember - Empty. Clean. Dry.

View the Green Disposal Guide, a tool from Hennepin County for learning where to recycle and dispose of items.

  1. Paper & boxes
  2. Plastic
  3. Cartons
  4. Glass
  5. Metal
  • Cardboard
  • Cereal and cracker boxes
  • Magazines and catalogs
  • Mail, office and school papers
  • Newspapers and inserts
  • Phone books
  • Shoe, gift and electronics boxes
  • Toothpaste, medication and toiletry boxes

Don't place in curbside recycling

  • #6 plastics
  • Batteries
  • Black plastics
  • Containers that held hazardous products
  • Dishes
  • Drinking glasses
  • Hoses and flower pots
  • Microwaveable food trays
  • Mirrors
  • Paper soiled with food, paper cups and plates, paper towels
  • Plastic utensils and straws
  • Plastic shopping bags (Several stores have receptacles in their entrance where plastic shopping bags may be recycled.)
  • Plastic wrap
  • Large plastic items (i.e. furniture, toys, laundry baskets)
  • Polystyrene foam
  • Shipping envelopes
  • Shredded paper
  • Random metal items (i.e. pots, pans, hangers, tools)
  • Bags of recyclables (Recyclers can't tell what is in the bags, and items may not get recycled. Place items loose in the cart.)