Acceptable Recyclables

Ballasts

The Recycling Center does not accept ballasts. The Anoka County Hazardous waste facility will take ballasts from residents of Anoka County at no charge.

Batteries

All batteries are accepted for recycling including auto, alkaline, and rechargeable batteries.

Bicycles

All bicycles are accepted in all conditions.

Books

All types of books are accepted for recycling.

Boxes & Food Cartons

• Only boxes that have been kept dry accepted. Boxes that have been in the refrigerator or freezer not accepted.
• Cake, cracker, cereal and fruit snack boxes accepted.
• Juice boxes, milk, soup, broth and wine cartons are accepted.
• Pop and Beer cartons need to be placed in the black box. These boxes must be kept separate from other paper and cardboard because they contain a wet-strength additive.

Corrugated Cardboard

Corrugated cardboard is the only accepted form of cardboard. Staples and tape must be removed.

Carpet

Carpet is accepted and is collected during regular Recycling Center hours. The fee is $30 per three (3) cubic yard load. Commercial loads are subject to higher fees.

Carpet Requirements:

• Carpet and pad must be dry - no wet carpet/pad accepted.
• Rolled residential carpet accepted.
• Commercial carpet accepted only with prior approval.
• Maximum 6 feet in length of rolls accepted.
• Rolls should be tied with ducts tape or twine.
• Separate urethane carpet or rubber pad.
• No rubber backed carpet or pad accepted.
• No carpet tile or other rigid flooring.
• No carpet scraps or trimmings.
• Smallest size accepted is 3 feet by 5 feet.
• Tack strips, nails, staples or knife blades not allowed.
• No wet glue, debris, refuse, rocks or caked mud allowed.
• Minimal loose dirt.

CDs & DVDs

CDs and DVDs are not recyclable at this time. However, these items are accepted for re-use. Place these items in the green box outside the Recycling Center gate labeled "A Greener Read".

Electronics

1st and 3rd Saturdays each month (excluding holidays) from 9 am. to 3 pm.

*More details about dates and items accepted here*

Scheduling Electronic Pick-Ups

If you are unable to get to the Recycling Center, several companies pick up electronics once a week. For more information, please contact the Recycling Coordinator at 763-767-6485.

Filters (Oil)

Please drain all oil filers. Only residential filters will be accepted. No business waste will be accepted.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers will be accepted for a fee of $2.50 per extinguisher. All extinguishers are accepted.

Fluorescent Bulbs

Fluorescent bulbs are accepted for free from Anoka County residents only. Incandescent bulbs can be thrown in the trash. Bulbs will not be accepted from businesses and other organizations due to contractual agreements. Businesses and other organizations can bring bulbs to Green Lights Recycling located at 10040 Davenport Street NE, Blaine, 763-785-0456.

Glass

Accepted: Food or beverage bottles and jars - please rinse first.

Not Accepted: Window glass, dishes, or light bulbs 

Holiday Lights

All holiday lights, strings and electrical cords are accepted for recycling year-round.

Mattresses

Mattresses, box springs, foam mattress toppers unable to be donated can be recycled.

The cost is $15 per piece. First Saturday of the month - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

2019 Mattress Recycling dates: January 5, February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4, June 1, July 6, August 3, September 7, October 5, November 2, December 7

Metal Cans

Rinse out aluminum, tin and steel cans. No aerosol or paint cans accepted.

Motor Oil (Used)

5-gallon limit. No business waste accepted.

Newspaper

All newspaper including supplements is accepted.

Oil (Motor Oil -Used)

5-gallon limit. No business waste accepted.

Oil (Vegetable)

Vegetable-based oils are accepted. Grease, bacon grease or Crisco grease are not accepted.

Paper (Mixed)

Envelopes
Magazines
Mixed mail
Office paper
Phone books
School papers
Softcover books
Shred paper- for paper already shredded, place in a brown grocery bag, fold over and place in the mixed paper container.

Plastic

All items must have a recycling symbol and number. If the item is not marked we are unable to take it. Any item larger than a 5-gallon bucket will not be accepted.

Acceptable Types

• #1: All plastic
• #2: All plastic
• #5: All plastic

Plastic Bags

• Bread bags
• Cereal bags
• Dry cleaning
• Frozen food bags with all food residue removed
• Newspaper bags
• Plastic grocery
• Plastic stretch/shrinkwrap
• Plastic wrap from paper products
• Plastic zipper bags with rigid closing mechanism and food residue removed
• Produce bags
• Retail bags (string or hard plastic ties removed)
• Softener salt bags with plastic handles removed
• No foil-lined plastic bags

All material must be clean and dry. NO BLACK BAGS.

Propane Tanks

Propane tanks larger than 1# and up to 40# accepted free of charge. Tanks must be empty.

1# tanks not accepted. (Anoka County Hazardous Waste will accept these)

Styrofoam (Rigid block & shape)

Block & shape Styrofoam is thick and heavy. It is packing material for electronics or appliances typically. Material must be white, rigid, clean, dry and uncontaminated. Remove all tape, stickers, labels, cardboard, glue, etc. Accepted in cardboard boxes or clear plastic bags, no black plastic bags allowed. Staff may refuse material if it doesn't meet standards, and then must be taken away. Styrofoam meat trays, cups and take out containers are not accepted.

Scrap Metal

Please remove all non-metal material. Grills and snowblowers may be recycled with scrap metal- remove wheels, any fuel and all non-metal pieces. No compressed air cylinders allowed. All metal MUST be placed INSIDE the roll-off containers.

Tires

No business tires accepted.

Other Recycling Options

Tire recycling is available where tires are sold. Mosquito control will pick up tires without rim only free of charge. Call 651-645-9149 for more information.

Vinyl Siding

We are not accepting vinyl siding at this time.