One-Sort Recycling is Here!
The City of Minneapolis is rolling out the new "Big Blue" one-sort recycling carts as of April 22, 2013. It is anticipated that every residential customer will have their new cart by early June. You will know you start, when you receive your new cart! You will receive a mailing approximately one week before your cart arrives with instructions. The one-sort online map is updated with estimated dates of delivery. All dates of delivery are subject to change. Our goal is to stick to the delivery schedule as closely as possible. At this time Zones 1, 2 and 3 have been delivered and we have made good progress with Zone 4 deliveries.
Frequently asked questions
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 get tangled in the machine gears at the MRF (Materials Recovery Facility) requiring the MRF to stop operations to remove the bags. Plastic bags are accepted back at most grocery stores and co-ops.
Q. When will I get a new one-sort recycling cart?
The current schedule is to begin Phase II, distribution of carts on April 22, 2013 and complete Phase II by June 14, 2013. You can keep informed by checking 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 sometime 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 big blue cart right away, but be advised that the blue cart pick up will be on your next recycling day.
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 about one week before. When the new cart 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 on your every other week schedule until you receive the new cart.
Q. Types of items you can place in the one-sort recycling cart?
The items collected for recycling 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 can 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 multi-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 some 65 gallon recycling carts. Please give the 96 gallon cart a couple weeks before deciding you need a smaller cart. If you do determine a smaller cart will be better for your home, 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. 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 before 7:00 a.m. 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 May. 24, 2013