A to Z Disposal Guide

Disposal
Solvent-based adhesives are flammable. Residents can drop off adhesives at the Environmental Center at no charge. Empty containers may be placed in the trash.

Latex or water-based adhesives are safe to dispose of in the trash. If the label reads “soap and water clean up,” the product is not flammable.

Aerosol cans contain liquid or gas propellant, packed under pressure. These cans can explode under certain conditions. Full or partially filled cans are potentially dangerous, and may explode if exposed to heat or punctured, by compacting in a garbage truck, for example. Protect your waste hauler by properly disposing of aerosol cans.

Disposal
Before disposing, check to see if aerosol cans are empty. Whether they are empty or still have product in them will determine how you need to dispose of them.

If the aerosol cans are empty, they can be placed in the trash.

If you have leftover product, decide what to do with it. Sometimes, using up the contents according to label directions may make sense. But beware! In addition to the hazardous propellant, the product may be a hazardous chemical that should only be used sparingly.

Take aerosol cans that still have product in them to the Environmental Center or a Household Hazardous Waste collection event.

Fees apply for businesses.

Ammunition, fireworks, gun (black) powder, and flares should never go in the trash. They are extremely dangerous if not properly managed.

The explosive materials in most consumer fireworks and ammunition may deteriorate even if the products are kept cool and dry. Explosives can also become unstable if subjected to moisture or extreme heat. Other common components, such as black powder, usually won’t explode if wet, but could become more unstable after drying.

Disposal

Appliances may be a pain to dispose of, but many contain hazardous materials, so they need to be disposed of properly. Discarded appliances are second only to automobiles as a source of recycled metals.

Minnesota law requires that all major appliances be either reused or recycled — it’s illegal to put them with your garbage.

Major appliances include:
Air conditioners, Clothes washers and dryers, Dehumidifiers, Dishwashers, Freezers, Furnaces, Garbage disposals, Heat pumps, Microwave ovens, Ovens, Refrigerators, Stoves/Ranges, Trash compactors, and Water heaters

Reuse
If your appliance is still in working condition, consider listing it online or in a newspaper to connect with someone who could use it. Visit the Reuse page for ideas.

Contact a local charity to ask about donating your used, functioning appliances. For a list, refer to the Donation page.

Recycle & Disposal
When disposing of refrigerators and freezers, be sure to disable all doors to keep children or animals from getting trapped inside. This can be done by removing the door or inside seal, or by bending the hinges so the door no longer closes. In addition, remove all food from refrigerators and freezers.

Many haulers provide curbside pick-up for appliances. Contact your Trash Hauler for information.

Appliances can also be dropped off at the Environmental Center or a Special Waste Collection event (fees apply).

Please call ahead for ammonia gas appliances.

Asbestos removal is highly regulated and should be performed with care so as to not disturb fibers. It causes a serious health risk when fibers are disturbed and become airborne.

For asbestos information on:

• Where to look for it in your home
• How to properly test for it
• Ways to safely remove and dispose of it

Contact the following: 

• Minnesota Department of Health Information Line - (651) 201-4620
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Information Hotline - (651) 296-6300

The Minnesota Department of Health's website also has a listing of abatement contractors.

Disposal

All asbestos must be disposed of at an approved facility. Call first for packaging requirements, drop-off times, and fees.

Roofing tar and other non-friable asbestos in containers is accepted at the Environmental Center (no charge).

Friable and all other asbestos is accepted at the following facility:

Dem-Con Landfill
13020 Dem-Con Dr
Shakopee, MN 55379
(952) 445-5755

Asbestos should NOT go in the trash.

DO NOT place asphalt sealer in the trash. Stored unused sealer where it will not freeze. When sealer freezes, it separates and becomes unusable.

Disposal
If the driveway sealer container is empty and the sealer coating the inside of the can is completely dried, you may place the container in the trash. Leave the cover off so your trash service provider can see that the container is empty and dry.

Recycle
Residents can drop off unused asphalt sealer at the Environmental Center at no charge.

Minnesota law prohibits throwing away automotive fluids, such as antifreeze, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid. Never put any of these items in the garbage, down a household drain, on the ground, into water, or into a sewer or storm drain. Improper disposal can contaminate our water sources and harm wildlife.

Recycling & Disposal
Take automotive fluids and filters to the Environmental Center or a Carver County Household Hazardous Waste collection event. (no charge)

Do NOT mix fluids together.

A ballast is used for fluorescent lighting and may contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s). Ballast labels may indicate whether they do or do not contain PCB’s. If the label does not indicate this, assume the ballast contains PCB’s. Ballasts that contain PCB’s may be disposed of as household hazardous waste if they come from a household. PCB ballasts from a non-household entity must be managed as a hazardous waste.

Ballasts that do not contain PCB’s may be disposed of in the trash.

It is illegal to place fluorescent lights and ballasts in the trash. It is is assumed ballasts contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) unless they are marked or tested to show otherwise.

Disposal
Ballasts marked by the manufacturer stating they contain no PCBs are not regulated as hazardous waste. Instead, they may be recycled or managed as a solid waste. Ballasts with PCBs are hazardous and must be managed as a hazardous waste.

All types of fluorescent lights and ballasts are accepted at the Environmental Center.

Fees apply for businesses.

Each year, American consumers buy, use and throw away billions of batteries. Some batteries contain toxic metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium, which can pose a potential threat to human health and the environment if improperly disposed.

Reduce
Consider rechargeable batteries for frequently used equipment. Rechargeable batteries will save you money in the long-term. Look for nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries, which last for 300 – 600 charges, contain no cadmium or other hazardous metals, and can be recycled.

Recycle & Disposal
Residents can drop off the following batteries for no charge at the Environmental Center.

• Lead acid or wet cell (automotive, marine, ATV, snowmobile)
• Mercuric oxide
• Non-rechargeable (alkaline, button)
• Rechargeable (nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion)
• Silver oxide
• Battery operated devices (electronic toothbrush base, etc.)

It is illegal to place a car, boat, snowmobile or any other lead acid or wet cell battery in the trash. These batteries contain up to 18 pounds of toxic metals and one gallon of corrosive lead-contaminated acids. By State law, all businesses that sell lead-acid batteries are required to accept up to five used batteries per consumer, at no charge, whether you buy a new battery or not.

Recycle
When you buy a new motor vehicle (lead acid or wet cell battery), you are required to turn in your old battery for recycling. Otherwise, the retailer will charge a $5 fee – it’s the law! The retailer must refund the fee when you bring in the old battery with the receipt within 30 days.

All vehicle and wet cell batteries are accepted at the Environmental Center, Rural Recycling Drop-Off Sites and Household Hazardous Waste collection events (no charge).

Reuse
If your bicycle is still in good condition, find someone who could use it.

Donate your bicycle to a local charity. Call first.

Some bike shops accept quality used bikes for trade-in. Call first.

Look at the Reuse page for ideas.

Recycle
Bicycles, in any condition, can be recycled for a fee at the Environmental Center or Special Waste Collection Event.

Whether you have textbooks or a paperback bestseller to get rid of, most books can be reused or recycled. Over 2 billion books are published annually in the U.S. – about 6 books per person every year! It takes one tree to make about 25 books, so reusing or recycling books helps to reduce deforestation.

Reduce
Reduce the amount of new printed books you purchase by buying used books, borrowing books from libraries or friends, and downloading e-books.

Reuse
For ideas of how to pass on books to others next time you clean out the bookshelf, visit the Reuse page.

Recycle
Books are made of mostly paper, but the majority of residential curbside haulers will not accept books because of the binding holding the book together, which makes it harder to recycle. Contact your Trash Hauler to see if they accept paperback and hardcover books for recycling.

Reuse
Reuse bubble wrap for storing fragile items or mailing gifts. If you have more bubble wrap than you need, pass it on to someone else.

For large amounts, check the Yellow Pages under “Packaging Services” or check with your local mailing store, like UPS, to see if they will accept bubble wrap for shipments.

Check the shipping department at your work. They may also take bubble wrap for reuse.

Disposal
Small amounts may be placed in your trash.

Recycling cans and bottles is important for our environment and economy. For example, recycling aluminum reduces water consumption by 95 percent and air pollutants by 95 percent! Recycling also generates $64 million in Minnesota tax revenue every year and involves over 36,000 jobs!

Reduce
• Buying concentrated products or the largest size possible for your use can reduce the number of bottles and cans you need to manage.
• Looking for bottles and cans made with recycled content helps keep recycling going.

Recycle
Metal food and beverage cans are recyclable at the curb through your Trash Hauler and at drop-off recycling centers including the Environmental Center and Rural Recycling Drop-Off Sites.

If you live in an apartment or multi-family building, ask your building manager about recycling. If recycling isn’t offered in your building, call Environmental Services at (952) 361-1800 for help.

Aluminum cans may also be taken to a scrap metal redemption center.

Do not recycle paint cans, aerosol cans or containers that held hazardous products, such as paint thinner and automotive fluids. Place empty metal containers that have held hazardous waste in the garbage. If paint or other hazardous chemicals remains in the container, take to the Environmental Center or a Household Hazardous Waste collection event.

Recycle
Metal parts can be recycled as scrap metal. Remove any plastic parts and drain any automotive fluid first. For a list of local metal recyclers, go to RethinkRecycling.com, contact your trash service provider, or look in the Yellow Pages, under “Scrap Metal”. Most transfer stations also accept scrap metal.

Small amounts of scrap metal can be brought to the Environmental Center and Rural Recycling Drop-Off Sites (no charge).

Due to liability concerns, child car seats should not be reused and should be discarded after their expiration date. But what is the responsible earth savvy parent going to do with a car seat which is too small, expired or damaged?

Due to a change in markets and the difficulty associated with recycling the materials, the Recycling Association of Minnesota's (RAM) REseat CAR SEAT recycling program is temporarily on hold. A long-term solution is currently in the works. If you have car seats you want to recycle, please store them temporarily or dispose of them. RAM is diligently working to get this program up and running again.

Disposal
Car seats that can not be reused should be placed in the trash. Contact your Trash Hauler for information or visit a Landfill or Transfer Station (fee charged).

Most of today’s paper packaging products can be recycled curbside. Recycled cardboard is used to make new boxes, cereal boxes and other paper packaging. It can even be used to make paper backing for shingles.

Reduce
• Buy concentrated products or in bulk from self-serve bins when possible to reduce packaging waste.
• Cardboard can be reused for shipping or storing items prior to recycling.
• Look for a symbol or text like this that indicates the packaging is made from recycled material.

Recycle
Set out cardboard and paper packaging with your curbside recycling or visit the Environmental Center or a Rural Recycling Drop-Off Site for free recycling.

Reduce
• To encourage recycling, buy carpet and padding made from post-consumer recycled materials.
• Consider using carpet squares as an alternative to roll carpet. When an area is worn or damaged the area can easily be replaced with new squares.

Reuse
• Reuse carpet for floors in cars, trucks, boats, fishing houses, cabins and utility rooms.
• Post your used carpet on free newspaper or web-based listing services.

Recycle
For the recycling of post-consumer carpet and padding, the material must meet the following requirements:

• Must be dry, no wet carpet or pad
• Rolled residential carpet accepted
• Commercial carpet accepted only with prior approval
• Maximum 6 feet for width of carpet in rolls
• Rolls tied with string or twine
• Separated urethane foam padding accepted
• No rubber backed carpet or rubber pad
• No carpet tile or other rigid flooring
• No carpet scraps or trimmings
• No tack strips, nails, staples or knife blades
• No wet glue, debris, refuse, rocks or caked mud
• Minimal loose dirt
• Absolutely no co-mingled refuse accepted

If the above conditions are met, carpet and padding can be brought to the Environmental Center for a fee.

Disposal
If your carpet and padding does not meet the conditions above, it can be disposed of by calling your Trash Hauler or visiting a local Landfill or Transfer Station (fee item).

Cartons–milk cartons, juice boxes, and soup cartons–are now recyclable in the Twin Cities metro area. Cartons are made mostly from high-grade paper, with a thin layer of plastic or aluminum. Recyclers are able to separate the plastic and aluminum from the paper to recycle them. The recycled carton paper fibers are a valuable resource for making new products such as recycled paper products and even building materials.

Recycle
Cartons are recyclable in some curbside recycling programs. Contact your Hauler for more information. Cartons are also accepted at the Environmental Center and Rural Recycling Drop-Off Sites.

If you live in an apartment or multi-family building, ask your building manager about recycling. If recycling isn’t offered in your building, call Environmental Services at (952) 361-1800 for help.

Disposal
Non-recyclable cartons may be placed in the garbage. As local markets for recycling develop, some haulers are accepting more types of cartons. Check with your Trash Hauler to see which items they accept.

Includes caulks, sheetrock mud, joint compound and spackle.

Disposal
Petroleum-based compounds are flammable. Bring them to the Environmental Center or Household Hazardous Waste collection event (no charge). DO NOT place them in the trash.

Water-based compounds can be placed in the trash.

Reduce
Try downloading a digital copy of a song, album, tv show or movie rather than purchasing a hard copy.

Reuse
If a CD or DVD you no longer use still works, try to find someone who can use it. You could re-gift the item, sell it, or donate it to a local organization. Visit the Reuse page for ideas.

Recycle
CDs, DVDs and plastic cases can be recycled at the Environmental Center. Please keep these items separate from general recycling.

Make a dent in holiday waste this year by “recycling” your fresh Christmas tree after you are done celebrating.

Recycle
Many waste haulers will offer curbside pick-up services for a couple weeks in January to collect live Christmas trees. If you would like your tree to be picked up for composting, call your Trash Hauler to find out if they offer the service and their schedule for doing so. Trees collected by haulers either go to a local compost facility or to a facility where they are burned for fuel.

Carver County also offers curbside pick-up as well as Drop-off locations in select cities. Visit the Christmas Tree page for detailed information.

Whether you are dropping off your live tree or it is being picked up by your waste hauler, make sure you have removed all ornaments, lights, tinsel, stands, and bags.

Trees that have been painted or flocked (sprayed with paint, glitter, or other material) cannot be composted and will have to be put in the trash. Next year, consider skipping the paint so that your tree can be composted!

Wreaths and greenery that are made from live evergreen can generally be recycled in the same manner as described above for live Christmas trees. Again, they must be free of ornaments, lights, tinsel and wire and cannot be painted or flocked.

Most wreaths have a lot of wire on them that holds all the boughs together. This makes them impossible to chip. Throw away any wreaths bound heavily with wire.

Disposal
Artificial trees should be used as many times as possible. If you’re getting rid of yours, see if there are friends or family who would like it, or look into Donation opportunities in your area. If it is time to throw your artificial tree, consider if any parts of the tree can be recycled. If not, the tree has to go in the trash. Call your Trash Hauler to find out if they have any special requirements.

We all like a clean home; however, what you use to clean the kitchen isn’t necessarily safe to throw in the garbage. Many cleaning products contain harmful ingredients that should never be thrown out or poured down the drain.

Reduce
You can reduce waste and toxins in your home by choosing less hazardous cleaning products.

• Read product labels before buying. Avoid products with the words Warning, Danger, or Poison as they are more toxic.
• Use fewer products and buy only as much as you need. Choose a multi-purpose cleaner that will save money and storage space.
• Check out the Product Reuse Room at the Environmental Center for free cleaning products.
• When possible, use up all cleaning products to avoid disposing of partially filled containers.
• Consider using non-toxic cleaning products. You can make your own using ingredients like baking soda, vinegar or plant-based soaps.

Recycle & Disposal
Read the labels on your cleaning products. Look for the words: Caution, Warning, Danger and Poison, which indicate that a product is hazardous. If you have leftover product to dispose of, bring it to the Environmental Center or a Household Hazardous Waste collection event. It is okay to throw empty containers in the garbage.

Donating used clothing, shoes and textiles helps others in need. It is an effective way to reduce the volume of textiles in the waste stream. Also, buying clothing from a resale shop or a garage sale is an inexpensive way to dress well and look great.

Reuse
• Consignment shops accept items from the public and sell them for you.
• Hold a garage sale or donate to a community sale.
• Donate to a charity.
• Use worn-out clothing and linens as rags for cleaning around your house.

Visit the Reuse page for more ideas!

Recycle & Disposal
Clothing, textiles and shoes are accepted at the Environmental Center and at all Rural Recycling Drop-Off Sites. For additional recycling and donation options, visit the Donation page.

Reuse
Remember, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure! If you have construction or demolition materials that are in good condition, try listing them for sale or for free on a website or in a newspaper. Visit the Resale page for ideas to help you get started.

Recycle
Some material recovery facilities provide processing of construction & demolition waste. Call first for drop-off hours, fees and materials accepted.

South Metro Sort & Recycle
13020 Dem-Con Dr
Shakopee, MN 55379
(952) 445-5755

Disposal
Items that can’t be reused or recycled can be disposed of using a local Construction & Demolition Hauler or self-hauled to a local Landfill or Transfer Station.

DO NOT pour cooking oil or grease down a drain.

Recycle
Cooking oil and grease is accepted at the Environmental Center at no charge.

Disposal
Small amounts (less than 1 gallon per weekly pick up) may be placed in the trash inside paper towels, plastic bags tied off, or the original container.

Reuse
Plastic coolers in GOOD condition can be dropped off at the Environmental Center for reuse.

Disposal
Plastic coolers that can not be reused should be placed in the trash. Contact your Trash Hauler for information or visit a Landfill or Transfer Station (fee charged).

Reuse
Remember, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure! If you have doors or windows that are in good condition, try listing them for sale or for free on a website or in a newspaper. Visit the Resale page for ideas to help you get started.

Disposal
Solid metal doors may be recycled as scrap metal, if all non-metal parts are removed. Please note that most exterior metal doors have a wood or foam-core center and cannot be recycled, and should be disposed of as solid waste. Scrap metal can recycled at the Environmental Center and Rural Recycling Drop-Off Sites.

Non-metal doors and windows may be disposed of in the trash. Call your Trash Hauler or visit a local Landfill or Transfer Station.

Please not that window glass is not recyclable and should NOT be put in your recycling container.

Electronic waste, or e-waste, is any waste that has a circuit board or a cathode ray tube (CRT). This includes products such as:
• Audio equipment, including CD and MP3 players, radios, speakers, stereos and remote controls
• Computers, including laptops, tablets, central processing units (CPUs) and monitors
• Computer equipment and peripherals, including keyboards, speakers, printers and fax machines
• Data storage devices, including USB and external hard drives
• DVD players and VCRs
• Game consoles
• Telephones, including cell phones, cordless phones and answering machines
• Televisions
• Video equipment, including cameras and camcorders

Per Minnesota State Law, electronic products containing a cathode ray tube (such as TVs and computer monitors) cannot be placed in the garbage.

Reuse
If an electronic item you no longer use still works, try to find someone who can use it. You could re-gift the item, sell it, or donate it to a local organization. Visit the Reuse page for ideas.

Recycle
• County recycling options: Visit the Environmental Center or a Special Waste Collection Event.  Fees may apply.
• Retailer recycling options: Several retailers offer in-store and mail-back recycling programs.
• Manufacturer recycling options: Many manufacturers offer a variety of recycling programs for televisions, computers and other electronics.
• Electronics recyclers: There are many electronics recycling service providers in the Twin Cities metro-area, including county facilities, offering drop-off and pick-up services for electronics recycling.
• Garbage haulers: Some garbage haulers offer service for electronics recycling. Ask your Trash Hauler if this service is available.

Choosing an Electronics Recycling Option
Before choosing a recycler, ask about:
• Fees
• Hours
• Types of electronics accepted
• Where e-waste is sent for recycling
• How all hazardous components are managed

Privacy
You should remove all personal data from your electronics before recycling them. Personal data may be stored on data storage devices including internal and external hard drives, disks, CDs, DVDs, memory cards, and USB drives. Some locations that accept electronics for recycling require that personal data be removed. You may purchase a disk cleaning utility for your computer’s hard drive or choose a recycler who provides data removal or data destruction service (some recyclers will charge an extra fee for data destruction).

Explosives may consist of dynamite, marine flares, picric acid, peroxides, Tri and Di-nitro compounds, etc. Never throw explosives in the trash. They are extremely dangerous if not properly managed.

The explosive materials may deteriorate even if the products are kept cool and dry. Explosives can also become unstable if subjected to moisture or extreme heat.

Disposal
Some police departments accept explosives for disposal. Call your local police department. Do NOT call 911.

Reuse
For refill options, contact your local fire department.

Recycle
Fire extinguishers are accepted at the Environmental Center.

Disposal
Some trash service providers take EMPTY tanks for disposal with household garbage. Check with your Trash Hauler for preferred method of disposal.

Compact fluorescent, fluorescent, high intensity discharge (HID) and neon light bulbs contain mercury. Minnesota law says that because they contain mercury, fluorescent and high-intensity discharge light bulbs from households may not be placed in the trash. This applies to fluorescent lights of all shapes and sizes, including CFLs, as well as to HID lamps, including mercury vapor, high-pressure sodium and metal halide lights. Even though CFLs contain comparatively little mercury—5 milligrams (mg) or less, about 1/400 as much as is in a mercury fever thermometer–they must be recycled.

Recycle
• County recycling options: Visit the Environmental Center or a Household Hazardous Waste collection event.  Fees may apply.
• The Home Depot: The Home Depot offers nationwide recycling for intact (unbroken) compact fluorescent bulbs.
• Hardware stores: Some retailers accept bulbs for recycling (usually for a small fee). Before choosing a retailer, ask about fees and hours.
• Electric Utilities: Your electric utility provider may offer discount coupons for fluorescent bulb recycling.

Storing and Transporting Fluorescent and HID Light Bulbs
Exercise care when handling and transporting fluorescent and HID light bulbs; do not drop or handle them roughly.

Store fluorescent and HID light bulbs in their original packaging somewhere inaccessible to children and pets. If the original packaging is not available, wrap the bulb in newspaper or bubble wrap and place it in a box. Do not use tape on the bulb; it makes recycling more difficult.

Do not break or crush fluorescent or HID light bulbs—you could be exposed to mercury. If a bulb is broken accidentally, follow the instructions listed below.

What Should I Do If I Break A Fluorescent Bulb?
Because of the mercury in fluorescent light bulbs, breaking a fluorescent bulb is not like breaking a regular light bulb. If you break a fluorescent bulb, keep people and pets out of the room. Open the windows and exterior doors to vent the mercury vapor to the outside for about 15 minutes before you clean up. Put on rubber gloves and carefully pick up the fragments, glass shards, and any powder with sticky tape. Once you have picked up any visible pieces, you can vacuum. Place all the pieces and used clean-up materials (including the vacuum bag) in a plastic bag and seal it. Be sure to wash your hands after clean up. Call the Environmental Center for disposal instructions. If you break more than two fluorescent bulbs or if you are unsure what to do, call the Minnesota Duty Officer at 1-800-422-0798 any time, day or night.

Food waste and other household organics–such as yard waste–account for 11 percent of the garbage thrown away in the Twin Cities. That’s over two pounds per person per week! Much of this waste can be put to better use.

Reduce
Reduce food waste by planning ahead. Here are a few suggestions:

• Buy perishable foods, such as fruits, vegetables and meats, in smaller quantities that still meet the needs of your family.
• Store food properly as directed on the label.
• If you know you will not be eating the food soon, freeze it to keep from spoiling.
• Only dish up what you’re able to eat and save leftovers for another meal

Recycle
Composting is a great way to reduce the amount of food you throw away. Many types of food scraps, along with leaves and yard waste trimmings, can be combined in a backyard compost bin to create a valuable soil additive for your lawn and garden. That is recycling at its best! The finished compost can help improve your soil or be used as mulch around plants.

If you don’t have a backyard compost bin or have items that shouldn’t go in a backyard compost bin such as:

• Butter
• Cheese
• Meats
• Bones
• Paper products

Contact your Trash Hauler to see if they have a food waste recycling program or recycle your food waste at the Environmental Center.

Fuels are toxic, flammable and explosive – never put fuel in your trash, on the ground, into water, or down a sewer or down a storm drain. If not disposed of properly, fuels can be harmful to the environment, as well as your health and safety.

Recycling & Disposal
To dispose of an unwanted liquid fuel, carefully pour it into an approved, labeled container (labeled to hold fuels), seal it and take it to the Environmental Center or a Carver County Household Hazardous Waste collection event (no charge).

Fuels accepted include:
• Gasoline and gas/oil mixtures
• Diesel fuel
• Kerosene, a common lantern fuel
• Naptha or white gas, both common camping stove fuels
• Butane, a common lighter and camping fuel
• Sterno, a solid fuel used to heat food

Furniture can be difficult to dispose of because it can be hard to move and can take up a lot of space in landfills. If the furniture is in good condition, look for resale and donation opportunities.

Reuse
• Many organizations accept furniture donations for reuse or resale.
• Sell or giveaway your furniture by posting it online, holding a garage sale, or using a consignment shop.

See our Reuse page for donation ideas and other reuse options.

Disposal
If the furniture is not is usable condition, contact your Trash Hauler to see if they offer bulky item pick up, or bring your furniture to a Landfill or Transfer Station for disposal.

Glass is one of the easiest materials to recycle. In fact, glass jars and bottles are 100 percent recyclable and can be recycled again and again without any loss in quality or purity. In addition, recycling glass is important for the environment and helps conserve natural resources. Every ton of glass that is recycled saves more than a ton of the raw materials needed to create new glass.

Reuse
Glass items such as mirrors, windows, ceramics and glass dishware are not recyclable in curbside recycling programs, but if they are in good condition, they can be reused. Consider donating gently used non-recyclable glass to a local charity, consignment shop, thrift store or other reuse organization.

Visit the Reuse page for donation ideas.

Recycle
Glass bottles are recyclable in curbside recycling programs and at the Environmental Center and Rural Recycling Drop-Off Sites.

If you live in an apartment or multi-family building, ask your building manager about recycling. If recycling isn’t offered in your building, call Environmental Services at (952) 361-1800 for help.

Disposal
If reuse and recycling is not an option, place non-recyclable glass items in the garbage. As local markets for recycling develop, some recycling programs are accepting more types of glass. Check with your Trash Hauler to see which items they accept.

Recycle
Grills can be recycled as scrap metal once all plastic parts and charcoal briquettes have been removed. The remaining scrap metal can be recycled at the Environmental Center, a Rural Recycling Drop-Off Site or a Special Waste Collection Event (no charge).

Propane tanks from gas grills are accepted at the Environmental Center (no charge).

Recycle
Pressurized gas cylinders and tanks are accepted at Environmental Center.

Holiday Lights Recycling Opportunities
If you’re ready for new holiday lights for your house or tree, or have some that don’t work anymore, there’s a great program in the metro area that you should take advantage of. The Recycling Association of Minnesota has created a project called “Recycle Your Holidays”. You can bring any working or non-working holiday lights to the Environmental Center to be recycled for free! (You can also bring in electrical and phone cords.)

Holiday Decorations
When you’re ready to get rid of those other holiday decorations, think about reusing and recycling them rather than throwing them in the trash. We often decide to get rid of holiday decorations like ornaments and nick-knacks even when they aren’t worn out. If that’s the case, consider giving them to a friend or family member who would enjoy them, or donate them to a non-profit or second-hand store. You can share holiday cheer and keep them out of landfills!

Wrapping Paper
Generally, wrapping paper is not considered recyclable. Explore other materials to use instead of store-bought wrapping paper, like newspaper, comics, maps, magazine or book pages. If you are going to buy new, look for wrapping paper that’s labeled as recyclable (will generally contain less ink and no foil) or buy wrapping paper that is made from recycled content paper. Remember, “recycled” and “recyclable” mean different things–if you can, find paper that is both recycled and recyclable!

Disposal
Regular incandescent bulbs may be placed in the trash.

Consider replacing spent incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs. LEDs are more efficient than CFLs, they last longer, and don’t contain mercury.

Reuse
Remember, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure! If you have lumber that is in good condition, try listing it for sale or for free on a website or in a newspaper. Visit the Resale page for ideas to help you get started.

Disposal
Small quantities of lumber can be disposed of through curbside trash collection. For large quantities, call your Trash Hauler or visit a local Landfill or Transfer Station.

Please note that dimensional lumber can not be combined with yard waste.

Mattresses and box springs are problematic in the waste stream because they are hard to move, clog up equipment and are nearly impossible to compact in a landfill. Look for reuse and recycling options instead of disposing of mattresses and box springs in the trash.

Reuse
Give your old set to a relative or friend. Consider donating, but be aware that very few charities accept mattresses unless they are in excellent condition.

Recycle
Mattresses and box springs are accepted for recycling at the Environmental Center for a fee. More than 80 percent of the materials in a mattress can be recycled!

Disposal
Some garbage haulers will accept mattresses for a fee; contact your Trash Hauler for information. There are several Landfills and Transfer Stations in the area that accept mattresses and box springs for disposal. Call for details.

There are increasingly more options for disposing of medicines in the Twin Cities. Many counties and local law enforcement agencies have installed drop boxes or are organizing collection events to give residents the opportunity to properly and safely dispose of unwanted, unused and expired medicines. Programs typically accept all medicines from households, including prescription, over-the-counter and pet medicines.

Properly disposing of medicines is important to prevent abuse or poisoning and protect the environment. Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem, especially among teens, and accidental poisonings from medicines are on the rise. Medicines flushed down the drain or disposed of in the trash can pollute bodies of water, harm wildlife and end up in drinking water supplies.

Reduce
Reduce medicine and prescription drug waste whenever possible.

• Use all antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor. Not using all doses of an antibiotic could lead to development of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria.
• For new medications, ask the doctor to prescribe only enough to see if the medication will work for you and in the lowest dose advisable. That way if the medication doesn’t suit you, there is less to waste.
• Buy only as much as you can reasonably use before the expiration date. Think twice before buying the bottle of 500 aspirin just because it’s cheaper, unless you will use them all.

Disposal
Carver County participates in the National Medicine Take-Back Days and provides a Medication Disposal Box 24-hours a day. Click HERE for more information.

Mercury, which is found in some common household products, is a concern because exposure to it can be harmful to humans and animals. This shiny, silver metal was once widely used in manufacturing, agriculture and other industries. It is now considered a dangerous pollutant.

Mercury is a neurotoxin that damages or destroys nerve tissue at high concentrations. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should be especially careful to avoid exposure to mercury, and parents should ensure that young children are not exposed to it. Mercury affects all animals-humans and wildlife alike. In Minnesota, it is illegal to throw mercury thermometers or mercury thermostats in the trash because they are hazardous–never put them in your garbage whether they are intact or broken.

Reduce
Digital and alcohol thermometers and thermostats are alternatives to those that contain mercury.

Disposal
Take mercury thermometers, thermostats and other mercury-containing items to the Environmental Center or Household Hazardous Waste collection event. Transport a mercury thermometer in a rigid, sealed container like a small plastic food container to avoid breakage.

Broken Thermometer? Spilled Mercury? For more information, see Cleaning up spilled mercury in the home on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency web site.

Minnesota law prohibits throwing away motor oil and oil filters. Even when drained, oil filters contain motor oil that can contaminate our environment if disposed of improperly.

Store used motor oil in a sealed, labeled container. Do not mix used motor oil with antifreeze, water, gasoline, or other fluids. Do not store used motor oil in a container previously used for antifreeze, bleach, paint, pesticides, or other chemicals. Any residue left in the container may contaminate the oil.

Recycling & Disposal
Used motor oil is a valuable resource – it doesn’t wear out, it just gets dirty and can be recycled into new oil products.

Follow these steps:
• Drain oil filters upside down over a container to collect remaining oil for at least 12 hours. Put filters and used motor oil in sealed containers to prevent leaks.
• Take used motor oil and oil filters to an Oil Recycling Site or Special Waste Collection Event for proper disposal (no charge).

Note: Empty plastic containers that previously held automotive fluids should not be recycled. Place empty containers in the trash. Please limit container size to 5 gallons or less.

Needles, syringes and lancets pose a safety hazard so it is important to dispose of them safely to prevent injury and disease transmission.

Disposal
Use the following options for safe disposal of used needles, syringes and lancets:

• Check with your clinic or hospital for collection programs. Do not bring used needles, syringes or lancets to your health care provider if they are unable to accept them.
• Destroy your needles at home. Purchase and use destruction devices that bend, break, incinerate (destroy by high heat) or sheer needles. Search the Internet on Needle Destruction Devices or ask your heath care provider or pharmacist for more information.
• Mail-back programs allow residents to mail used needles, syringes and lancets to licensed disposal facilities (fees apply). Search the Internet for Sharps Mailback or check with your heath care provider or pharmacist for more information.

It is legal to put loose needles, syringes and lancets in the garbage. However, because of safety and health risks to solid waste workers, the options listed above are preferred. Follow these steps for safe garbage disposal:

• Place needles, syringes and lancets into a container such as plastic laundry detergent bottle with the lid taped shut.
• Label the container “Do not recycle: household sharps.”
• Put sharps in point-first.
• Dispose of containers in the garbage when they are half-full. Never place in the recycling bin.

Consider the advantages of water-based paints and stains. Using them eliminates the need for solvents and reduces the amount of toxins in your home and the environment.

Disposal
Do not place any oil or water-based paint, primers, stains, and wood sealers in the trash, or pour them down the drain or on the ground. If the paint can is empty and the paint coating the inside of the can is completely dried, you may place the can in the trash. Leave the cover off so your trash service provider can see that the can is empty and dry.

Recycle
Bring unused paint to the Environmental Center or a Household Hazardous Waste collection event at no charge.

Store leftover paint where it will not freeze. Keep leftover paint free of contaminants such as mold and rust. Place a sheet of plastic wrap over the can, and keep it in the original container with a tight lid to keep moisture out.

Free paint and other products are available at the Product Reuse Room located at the Environmental Center. Products are available on a first come, first serve basis and selection will vary.

Reduce
You’re in control: Buy the right amount. Ask the paint sales clerk to help you calculate how much paint to buy for the job or by using this handy on-line paint calculator.

Paint thinner and solvents must be handled with care because they are petroleum-based products, which may be toxic and/or flammable. If the contents are swallowed or inhaled, serious injury can result. Vapors accumulate invisibly in closed spaces (like small rooms and sheds) and can reach dangerous levels. Make sure you have adequate ventilation when using these products. Improper use or disposal can also pollute our soil and water.

Reduce
To reduce the need for solvents and thinners, choose water-based (latex) paint, stain or varnish. These products only require soap and water for clean-up. To protect your air quality, choose products that produce less toxic vapors. Ask retailers to show you their line of products featuring lower levels of volatile organic compounds – low VOCs.

Recycle & Disposal
Solvents and thinners should never be placed in the garbage, poured down the drain or on the ground. Take them to the Environmental Center or Household Hazardous Waste collection event for disposal.

Follow these tips for safe use, storage and transport:
• Follow the product label instructions for use and storage.
• Do not mix solvents.
• Do not fill containers full; solvents need room to expand.
• Never smoke near solvents or in a room where solvents have been used recently.
• Store solvents in a labeled container out of reach of children and pets, preferably in a locked cabinet.
• Store solvents away from flames, sparks and heat sources, such as a furnace, boiler or water heater.
• Store and transport solvents in sealed containers.
• Transport solvents in the trunk of a vehicle if possible, but don’t store solvents in the trunk.

Reuse
If your pallets are in good condition, find someone who could use them. Standard sized pallets (48"x40"), in good condition, can be dropped off at the Environmental Center.

Wood pallets can be used for scrap wood, building a compost bin or craft projects.

Recycle
Check the Yellow Pages under “Pallets & Skids” for recycling companies.

Disposal
Pallets may be picked up with your regular trash. Contact your Trash Hauler for more information. Pallets can also be taken to a Landfill or Transfer Station for disposal.

Paper recycling has many benefits and research shows Twin Cities households should recycle more of it. More than 24% of what’s in the average Twin Cities household garbage is actually recyclable paper, and belongs in the recycling cart!

Reduce
• Stop unwanted advertising mail. Visit the Junk Mail page for more information.
• Use reusable or cloth bags for groceries or shopping instead of paper or plastic shopping bags.
• To close the recycling loop, buy new paper products made from recycled paper.
• Whether at home, at school, or at the office, print or copy on both sides of the paper and use electronic communications to reduce your printing.

Reuse
• Reuse paper that has print on only one side. This paper can be used for writing shopping lists, notes or for family art projects.
• Rather than buying wrapping paper (it’s not recyclable), use an alternative wrapping like pages from old calendars or magazines. You can also use wrapping that becomes part of the gift, like a pretty scarf or a basket.
• Food shelves and donation organizations often are in need of paper bags for their clients and customers. Call them to find out if they will accept yours.

Recycle
Much of the paper in our homes is recyclable and it is generated throughout the home, not just in the kitchen. Consider placing containers for recycling next to where you open your mail or in your bathroom. You’re more likely to recycle more if recycling containers are readily available. Visit the Recycling 101 page to see what is recyclable.

Contact your Trash Hauler for details or visit the Environmental Center or Rural Recycling Drop-Off Site for recycling.

Reuse
• Give your unused toys and furniture to a relative, neighbor or friend.
• Consider donating, but be aware that very few charities accept these items unless they are in good condition.
• Sell gently used items online or at a garage sale.

Visit the Reuse page for more information.

Disposal
Plastic toys and furniture that are damaged or in unusable condition can go in the garbage. Contact your Trash Hauler for disposal information or visit a local Landfill or Transfer Station.

Disposal
Swimming pool chemicals and cleaners are accepted at the Environmental Center and Household Hazardous Waste collection events at no charge.

Never throw away or attempt to puncture a propane tank or other compressed gas cylinders. Tanks that no longer support a flame still contain enough flammable gas to cause an explosion.

Reuse
Use refillable propane tanks whenever possible. Always store and use propane tanks according to directions – you’ll help prevent injury while protecting your property, your investment and the environment. The National Fire Protection Association safety code for propane tanks (NFPA 58) requires tanks with a capacity of 4 to 40 pounds that were manufactured after September 30, 1998, to have an OPD (Overfilling Protection Device) valve. This includes the 20-pound propane tank used in full size barbecue grills. Refilling is illegal if the OPD valve is missing. Some older tanks can be retrofitted with an OPD valve, so ask your retailer before disposing of an older tank.

Recycle & Disposal
Use up all fuel before disposing of your tank to reduce chances of an explosion. When further use isn’t possible, take it to the Environmental Center for proper disposal (no charge).

A broken bike, an old metal fence post, or unused plumbing fixtures might seem like garbage, but they’re not. They’re scrap metal, a valuable material that can be recycled to create new products.

Recycle
There are many scrap metal yards throughout the Twin Cities metro area that accept scrap metal for recycling and will pay money for items dropped off. Refer to your local telephone directory for a scrap metal yard near you.

Carver County also offers scrap metal recycling at no charge at the Environmental Center and Rural Recycling Drop-Off Sites.

Please note that all non-metal parts must be removed prior to drop-off. Appliances and electronics are NOT accepted.

Styrofoam® is used in cups, trays, and especially in packaging and packing materials.

Reuse
Packing peanuts can be reused at home or given to local businesses. Store packing peanuts in a dry plastic bag for reuse.

Disposal
Distinguish between polystyrene and starch-based packing peanuts by testing samples in water. Starch-based packing peanuts dissolve in water, which is a good way to dispose of them if they cannot be reused.

Put non-reusable Styrofoam and polystyrene cups, trays, and packaging in the garbage; they cannot be recycled locally.

Old tires are not considered hazardous waste, but if they are not properly recycled, they do pose threats. Mosquitoes use them as breeding grounds and stockpiles of tires pose a fire hazard.

Today’s tires are designed to be very durable so even though you’re done using them, they still have a lot of life left. Tires can be retreaded, recycled, and even shredded for a variety of uses from basketball courts to new shoe products and rubber landscape mulch.

It’s illegal to throw tires in the garbage or dump them along the roadside. Proper disposal is easy and available at tire dealers and many local recyclers.

Reduction
To get the most mileage from your tires, follow proper tire maintenance recommendations, including inflation, balancing, and rotating. Also, avoid quick acceleration or braking that could cause premature wear. These will also help improve your gas mileage.

Recycling & Disposal
Tires can be recycled for a fee at the Environmental Center,

Recycle
Sinks and tubs made from metal or metal with a porcelain finish can be recycled as scrap metal. Look in the Yellow Pages under “Scrap Metal” or bring these items to the Environmental Center or Rural Recycling Drop-Off Site. Remove all non-metal parts.

Disposal
If your sink or tub is made from porcelain, plastic or fiberglass and is not in usable condition, it may be placed in the trash. Toilets may also be placed in the trash. Contact your Trash Hauler or bring it to a Landfill or Transfer Station.

Reuse
• Give your unused exercise equipment to a relative, neighbor or friend.
• Sell gently used items online or at a garage sale.

Recycle
Treadmills and exercise bikes can be recycled at the Environmental Center.  Fees may apply.

Treated lumber is saturated with chemical preservatives that inhibit fungal decay and extend the life of the wood, but some of the chemicals used are toxic. Select, use and dispose of treated wood carefully to protect your family’s health and the environment.

Reduce
Consider treated wood alternatives for your next outdoor construction project. Ask your lumberyard or home repair retailer for non-toxic treated wood options such as redwood, cedar, composite materials or stone and metal products.

Disposal
Currently in the Twin Cities area, the only safe disposal option is taking treated wood to a lined landfill. Your Trash Hauler may accept treated wood for landfill disposal. You may also self-haul to a local Landfill or Transfer Station. Call first for fees and material preparation requirements.

Please note that the Carver County Environmental Center does NOT accept treated wood of any kind.

Reuse
If a vacuum tape you no longer use still works and is in good condition, try to find someone who can use it. Visit the Reuse page for ideas.

Recycle
Vacuums can be recycled for no charge at the Environmental Center.

Reuse
If a VCR/VHS tape you no longer use still works, try to find someone who can use it. Visit the Reuse page for ideas.

Recycle
VCR/VHS tapes can be recycled at the Environmental Center for no charge. Please keep these items separate from general recycling.

Donate/Recycle
• Do you have an old vehicle sitting in your garage or driveway that you would like to part ways with?  Consider donating or recycling it to one of the following organizations. Types of vehicles accepted may include: car, truck, motorcycle, boat, RV, golf cart, riding lawn mower, ATV, tractor, etc.

Auto Technical, Inc.

Breast Cancer Car Donations
651-646-7826 

Dem-Con Metal Recycling
952-224-7135 

Disabled American Veterans
866-920-1917

DonateCarUSA
800-269-6814

Goodwill Car Donations
866-220-1798

Heritage for the Blind
718-253-5015

Vietnam Veterans of America
800-435-7838

Wheels for Wishes
866-920-0264