Recycling Bins (containers/carts)
Recycling bins are provided to each household and are delivered by City crews and remain the property of the City of Minneapolis.
Please continue to sort your recycling as long as you still have a bin. We don't have the trucks or the crew to pickup up mixed recycling from the bin. For information about when you might change to one-sort recycling program, please see the menu to the left.
All Recycling must be at the collection point by 7:00 AM on collection day.
About the bin:
- They are 24-gallon in size.
- Do not paint or alter the exterior of the bin, but since recycling bins do not have serial numbers, you may put your house number on it.
- Recycling bins must be clear of snow and ice in the winter. See Snow Shoveling.
- To protect bins and recycling from theft or vandalism, keep your bin inside your yard, fence or garage until you set it out for collection.
Recycling Container Options - Residents may purchase their own containers at local stores. See details below.
We prefer that you use our recycling bins, and they are available to you at no cost. Additional recycling bins can be requested by calling our office.
If you do wish to use alternative containers for your recycling, please be sure to review the chart below as some items must still be placed in paper bags. Why? Loose papers in open containers tend to blow around your neighborhood. Also, current recycling vehicles were not designed to handle loose papers. Replacing or modifying these trailers is not cost effective.
Do not use alternative recyclable container over 30 gallons in size.
**Small wastebaskets, pails and corrugated boxes less than 10 gallons in size may be used instead of paper bags for some items - see chart below.
***Large containers, less then 30 gallons in size, may be used. However, recyclables must still be in separate paper bags inside the container. See chart below
Important: To keep your containers, you must call and request our recycling stickers and place them on at least one side of the container. To request this "red" recycle sticker, call Solid Waste & Recycling at (612) 673-2917.
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Do not use 12 or 24 pack beer or soda boxes for recycling.
*Recyclables must still be in separate paper or reusable eco-friendly bags inside the large container.
| * Solid Waste | **Container up to 10 gallons. | ***Container 11-30 gallons |
Recyclable Items | Is a separate Paper bag for items required: | Is a separate Paper bag for items required: | Is a separate Paper bag for items required: |
Cans; food, beverage & aluminum foil | Yes | No | Yes |
Glass Bottles & Jars | Yes | No | Yes |
Plastic Bottles | Yes | No | Yes |
Newspaper | Yes | Yes, or securely bundled with string or twine. 20 lbs. | Yes |
Magazines and Catalogs | Yes | No | Yes |
Dry Food Boxboard, Office Paper | Yes | Yes, or securely bundled with string or twine. 20 lbs. | Yes |
Household Batteries | No, but place in clear plastic bag, on top or inside the bin. | No, but place in clear plastic bag, on top or inside the container. | No, but place in clear plastic bag, on top or inside the container. |
Phone Books | No, but Place on top or inside the bin. | No, but Place on top or inside the container. | No, but Place on top or inside the container. |
Corrugated Cardboard | No, but must be bundle with string or twine 20 lbs. 3ft. x 3ft | No, but must be bundled with string or twine 20 lbs. 3ft. x 3ft | No, but must be bundled with string or twine 20 lbs. 3ft. x 3ft |
Missing Recycling Bin
Recycling bins do not have serial numbers, but we do allow you to put your house number on the bins. If your bin is missing, take a look in your alley to see if your recycling bin was moved or placed at another house in error. If you find your recycling bin at another location, go ahead and take it back.
If you cannot find it, please call the Solid Waste & Recycling office at (612) 673-2917 and our staff can assist you in locating your recycling bin, or we'll have another one delivered.
If you have a recycling bin that doesn't belong to you, please call us at (612) 673-2917.
Damaged or Broken Recycling Bin
Our crews will repair and replace lids. Call the Solid Waste & Recycling office at (612) 673-2917 and our staff can assist you. If the repair isn't made, or a replacement delivered within one month, please call again.
Clean Recycling Bins Help Us Serve You Better
Washing recycling bins regularly prevents buildup of residues and bad smells. A dirty bin is more likely to attract unwanted animals. Squirrels and raccoons are attracted to the strong smell of a dirty bin and can tear off the covers or chew through the plastic sides.
To Clean Your Recycling Bin - Just put a little soap or baking soda in the bin, put it on its side, turn on the hose, and spray out the dirt. If a heavy hose is hard for you to handle, then just swish the insides with soapy water, using your floor mop.
Wheel Kits for Recycling Bins
A limited number of wheel kits are available for the Blue & Black recycling bins only. These are free of charge and must be installed by the customer. Call Solid Waste & Recycling at (612) 673-2917 to request that the division deliver a kit to you.
Report Stolen or Misused Recycling Bins
Recycling containers are some times stolen, set on fire, and used by others. Taking of a bin, setting a bin on fire, or use of other resident's collection point is illegal. City Ordinance 225.10 states in part: "No person shall leave, throw, or deposit, or use or permit any other person to leave, place, throw, or deposit, any substances or materials of any kind at a city solid waste collection point…for city disposal when the substances or materials were generated at a location other than the residence."
If you see any illegal use of bins, anywhere in the City of Minneapolis, please write down the license number, vehicle description, description of the persons, or the item that was dumped and report this to our office at (612) 673-2917. If you request, your call will remain anonymous.
Last updated Dec. 20, 2012