One Sort Recycling is Coming to Minneapolis!
The City of Minneapolis is beginning a One-Sort Recycling Collection Program. Instead of diligently sorting recyclables by category, all recyclables will go into one blue cart. One-sort recycling, also known as no-sort recycling, will be easier for you and more efficient for us.
Please be patient, with over 100,000 customers, the new one-sort program will begin in phases. You will know you start, when you receive your new cart! You will receive a mailing one week before your cart arrives with instructions.
January 7, 2013 - MPR Story "Lagging Recycle Rates Concern Lawmakers" with video of one sort processing.
November 21, 2012 - One Sort "Did You Know" Video English, Somali, Spanish, Hmong
November 2, 2012 - One Sort Map
October 9, 2012 Presentation to City Council Transportation and Public Works Committee
Frequently asked questions
Q. When will I get a new one-sort recycling cart?
Well, that’s a hard one to answer right now, but we are moving as quickly as possible. The current schedule is to begin Phase I, distribution of carts on November 12th and complete Phase I by December 6th. We will begin Phase II in Spring of 2013. To find out more you can check the One Sort Map.
Q. What will happen to my garbage cart?
Nothing. We are not taking your garbage cart away.
Q. Why are you rolling this project out in phases and how were the routes chosen?
1. This approach, using two phases, will allow us to continue our high quality of customer service.
2. Using the two-phase approach allows us to retrofit our existing fleet and save the City about $450,000.
4. This is the most efficient way to roll out, because it keeps existing routes and current collection days intact.
5. Routes were chosen based on continuity of operations.
Q. My cart delivery date is the same week as my recycling pick up?
Your new blue cart should be delivered after your recycling pick up day that week. In the rare instance that it comes before, you do not need to transfer your materials from the bin to the cart. You can start using the new cart right away, but be advised that the blue cart pick up will be on your next recycling day. The first one sort recycling pick up date will be November 26th, 2012.
Q. When will I get to start the new one-sort recycling?
“You will start, when you receive your cart!” As cart distribution begins, you will also receive a notice by mail one week before. When the new cart (shown below) is delivered to your home your one-sort recycling collection will begin. Your mailing will include a welcome letter, recycling guide and refrigerator magnet.Q. What can I expect?
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Q. What happens if I start the one-sort program now, using my recycling bin?
We cannot collect or dispose of recycling this way until we have a contract, trucks, routes & staff to handle this change. Please continue to sort your recyclables by category using paper bags or small containers bi-weekly schedule until you receive the new cart.
Q. Types of items you can place in the one-sort recycling cart?
The recycling items collected will remain the same. The only change will be that all recycling items go into the cart – no sorting required! There will be a photo on the lid of your new cart explaining what will go inside.
Q. Why is the program changing?
One-sort recycling is easier. The goal is to encourage more customers to fully participate, reducing the amount of garbage and increasing the amount of recycling collected. One sort recycling is serviced more safely and efficiently than multiple sort recycling.
Q. Will my recycling pickup day change?
Most customers day of service will not change. Recycling will continue to be collected every other week on the same days as garbage. Refer to your current recycling calendar for collection dates.
Q. How many carts will I receive if I have several bins right now?
All properties will start with one recycling cart.
Q. What is going to happen to my old blue (or green) recycling bin?
We encourage you to keep the old bins for use inside your home or garage. It's a great storage container or tote for laundry, garden, tools, outside toys, etc. Do not store bins at your collection area. After you receive your one-sort recycling cart, any old bins left at your collection area will be collected by City crews for recycling and cannot be returned.
Q. I'm moving, should I take my new recycling cart?
No. Just like the garbage cart, these new recycling carts are the property of the City of Minneapolis. Do not take them when you move. They are assigned to a specific property using serial numbers.
Q. What if I don't want that big cart? Is there a smaller one?
Yes. We do have a smaller number of 65 gallon recycling carts on order and the first shipment will be in by the end of the year. Please contact us for assistance.
Q. Does the one sort method of recycling collection reduce the quality of our materials?
No. The City has completed an in depth study of dual vs. one sort methods and has found that the quality of our materials and their value will not change. The quantity is expected to increase significantly also. For more information please refer to the Recycling Collection Study Executive Summary and Recycling Collection Study Presentation. To learn more about how one sort recycling is sorted at the MRF (Materials Recovery Facility) watch Recycling 101 with Mr. Cool Can.
Q. Can I continue to collect my recycled materials in brown paper bags?
Yes! If you want to continue sorting your materials in brown bags, that is fine. Simply put all the brown bags inside your new blue cart. Please do not put plastic bags in your blue cart. They break down the machines at the MRF (Materials Recovery Facility). Plastic bags are accepted back at most grocery stores and co-ops.
Q. What happens if my cart is missing or damaged?
Please contact us for assistance. Scavengers, graffiti vandals and kids having fun can target your cart. Place your recycling cart at the collection point the night before, or on the day of your collection, and move it away from the curb after it has been emptied.
Q. What about when it snows?
All of our procedures will be the same when it snows. Please refer to our page on how to shovel out your carts before they freeze solid to the snow and ice.
Last updated Jan. 8, 2013