The Mower County Recycling Center in Austin handles recycling drop-off and household hazardous waste for Mower County residents. Recycling drop-off is available 24/7 through drive-up windows on the west side of the building, and the office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Household Hazardous Waste Facility is open Wednesdays (8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-5 p.m.), and a weekly Reuse Room offers free leftover paint, cleaners, and household products. To drop off hazardous waste you must be 18 or older, a Mower County resident, and able to show valid ID.
recycling drop-offhousehold hazardous wastereuse roomcurbside recycling24/7 drop-offMower County+1 more
Listed hours: Mon-Tue 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM · Wed 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Thu-Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM · Sat-Sun Closed
Accepts: Standard curbside recyclables (per the county acceptable materials list), Newspaper, Household hazardous waste, Leftover paint, Household cleaners, Other household chemical products
Services: 24/7 recycling drop-off via drive-up windows on the west side of the building · Household hazardous waste disposal (Wednesdays) · Reuse Room with free leftover paint, cleaners, and household products (Wednesdays) · Curbside recycling collection for Austin and small cities in Mower County · Waste Wizard online tool to look up how to recycle, compost, or dispose of materials
What are the hours?
The Recycling Center office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Household Hazardous Waste Facility is open Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Recycling drop-off is available 24/7 using the drive-up windows on the west side of the building.
Who can drop off household hazardous waste?
You must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of Mower County, and able to provide a valid driver's license or other valid ID upon request. Leaving hazardous waste unattended before proper authorization is considered illegal dumping.
The Austin, Minnesota yard of Watson Recycling is at 2700 11th Street NE. Rodney Watson started this third-generation, family-owned company, which has recycled in southeast Minnesota for more than thirty-five years. The Austin yard buys scrap metal and vehicles, and it stocks used automotive parts and vehicles.
Ferrous purchases include scrap cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, tin, unprepared steel, most appliances, and cast iron. Non-ferrous purchases include aluminum cans, copper, insulated copper wire, brass, stainless steel, catalytic converters, automotive batteries, lead, and most e-scrap. Digital scales show the weight. A tow truck picks up vehicles, and salvageable parts come off before crushing. Roll-offs, jobsite boxes, and high-capacity trailers handle metal, construction, demolition, and cleanups in Rochester, Oronoco, Albert Lea, Pine Island, Spring Valley, Eyota, and Plainview.
Scrap MetalJunk CarsUsed Auto PartsCatalytic ConvertersCopperInsulated Copper Wire+4 more
Services: Digital scales · Scrap vehicle tow pickup · Used auto parts at the Austin yard · Roll-off containers · High-capacity trailer hauling · Jobsite boxes
Does the Austin Watson Recycling yard sell used auto parts?
Yes. Used automotive parts and vehicles are available from the Austin, Minnesota location at 2700 11th Street NE. Those parts are delivered to the company's other yards or to a buyer's door.
What vehicles does Watson Recycling pick up?
Cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs. A company tow truck handles pickup, and salvageable parts are removed before the vehicle is crushed.
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Materials Accepted in Austin
Based on the listings above, materials commonly handled in Austin include recycling drop-off, household hazardous waste, reuse room, curbside recycling, 24/7 drop-off. Browse the guides below for preparation tips, scrap values, and what's recyclable.
Austin's trash goes to the city's Solid Waste Transfer Station at 102 28th St SE, which charges residents $87.74 per ton. Recycling and household hazardous waste run through the Mower County Recycling Center, a separate county operation. Fall leaves and grass have their own site at Cook Farm on 27th Avenue NW, open late September through late November.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours at the Austin MN transfer station?
The Solid Waste Transfer Station at 102 28th St SE is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. It also opens on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month from 8:00 AM to noon. The phone number is (507) 433-1702.
How much does it cost to dump trash at the Austin transfer station?
Residential solid waste costs $87.74 per ton, with a $20.00 minimum for small loads. Demolition material is $12.00 per cubic yard, except loads containing metal, glass, paper, plastic, carpet, or cloth. Appliances, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, TVs, and electronics recycling carry additional charges.
What can't I take to the Austin MN transfer station?
The station refuses oil, yard waste, dead animals, paint, batteries, hazardous waste, manure, and slate siding. It does take household garbage, plastics, glass, paper, carpet, metals, wood, and demolition material such as sheetrock, siding, and shingles. All loads must be covered or tarped, and the station lists a $10.00 fee for uncovered loads.
Where do I take yard waste and leaves in Austin MN?
Leaves, grass, and garden plants and flowers go to Cook Farm at 1200 27th Avenue NW from late September through late November. The site is open 7 days a week from dawn to dusk. Compost from previous years is available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
Where does Austin MN household hazardous waste go?
Household hazardous waste is collected at the Mower County Recycling Center in Austin, since the city transfer station refuses it. The center's phone number is (507) 437-9551.
Where can I get rid of old paint in Austin MN?
Sherwin Williams and Ace Hardware take paint, stain, and varnish as PaintCare drop-off centers. The Austin transfer station refuses paint, so it cannot go in a trash load.
Recycling tips for Austin
•The transfer station sits east of the Austin airport and closes at noon on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month.
•Tarp every load before driving to 102 28th St SE, because the station lists a $10.00 uncovered load fee.
•Keep batteries out of the trash load, since the transfer station refuses them along with oil and paint.
•Cook Farm takes fall yard waste from late September through late November, open dawn to dusk 7 days a week.
•Small loads at the transfer station carry a $20.00 minimum charge.
Recycling centers near Austin
The closest recycling centers in neighboring areas: