Recycling Collection

  • Recycling collection is biweekly (every other week).
  • Minneapolis provides customers with 24 gallon capacity recycling bins.
  • Please have your recycling bin at the alley or curb by 7:00 AM.
  • Your Recycling collection day is assigned by the Solid Waste & Recycling Division. Routes are created so the Division works in the most cost-effective way. Therefore your day pickup can't be changed. Look up your collection day.
  • In the winter, remember to shovel around your cart & recycling bin. For detail information on the correct way to shovel, go to Snow Shoveling.

Collection Time

Your recycling will be picked up at any time starting at 7:00 AM on your collection day. You may notice your recycling is collected at about the same time every other week. Please understand that changes in weather conditions, crew assignment, and equipment problems can change your pickup to earlier or later in the day.

Yellow Tags

Our crews cannot pick up your recycling if there is problem with it. Unacceptable recycling will be marked with a “yellow” recycling tag.  If you find a tag, please read it over, correct the problem, and place your recycling out on your next recycling day.

Sample of reasons why recycling might NOT be picked up.

Recycling was loose in t he recycling bin = not in paper bags.
Recycling was mixed = was not separated as listed in “separating your recycling”.
 Recycling was frozen in the bid.
Recycling was not shoveled and free from snow.
Recycling was not at the pickup area, next to the garbage cart.
Recycling was not out for pickup on the correct week. lease check your recycling calendar, call our office at 612-673-2917 for assistance, or look up your recycling date at “Find your recycling day”.

Missed Recycling

If you do not find a yellow tag and you believe your recycling was missed, please wait until after 3:30 PM on the day of pickup before calling Solid Waste & Recycling at (612) 673-2917. Sorry, but we will not return for recycling if your bin was not out on time.

Extra Recycling

Now and then you may have extra recycling. You may place paper bags of recycling next to your recycling bin or inside a cardboard box.

  • Additional recyclables, in bags, can be placed on top of the closed lid.
  • Place heavier items on the top of lid, to reduce the chance of recyclables blowing off in bad weather.
  • If needed, use a container larger than 10 gallons but not bigger than 30 gallons, and put the extra recyclables in separate paper bags in the container.
  • No additional recycling credit is given for extra bags.

Learn more about requesting an additional recycling bin or acceptable alternative containers.

Holiday Schedule

When your collection day falls on or after a holiday, recycling collection will be one day later than normal. See the Holiday Schedule for more information.

Recycling Containers

We prefer that you use our recycling bins. Additional bins are available to you at no extra cost. Learn more about recycling bins.

Why Doesn't My Landlord Offer Recycling?

Contact your building manager for recycling program information. Property owners are required to provide occupants with the opportunity to recycle. Call your city recycling coordinator if service is not available, or Hennepin County Environmental Services at (612) 348-3777.

Report Misuse of Recycling Service

Recycling collection is a special service to our paying customers only. Taking or using another 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."

What Happens To My Recycling?

All recycling is sold to vendors who have a contract with the City of Minneapolis. Contracts require that all materials be sold for recycling purposes only.

Did you know?

  • Minneapolis uses dual-side drive, low-entry, Crane Carrier chassis with a custom Kann 24 cubic yard box and 19 cubic yard gooseneck trailer.
  • Recycling trucks are operated by a single crew member who is responsible for driving and picking up your recyclables and placing each item in a separate compartment.
  • Fourteen recycling trucks service an average of 400 households per route per day.
  • Each truck averages 3 to 4 tons of recyclables per day.