Recycling centers in Minneapolis, Minnesota

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities hosts a top university recycling program, with waste collected into four streams: paper, cans/bottles, compost, and trash. The campus operates the Como Recycling Facility, where materials are hand-sorted and sold to local markets. Paper includes printer paper, cardboard, magazines, etc., while cans/bottles are separated into glass, metal, and different plastics. Compost includes food scraps, napkins, and certified compostable products. Trash includes non-recyclable items like chip bags and Styrofoam. Waste stations in 285 buildings ensure equal access to recycling for the 50,000 individuals on campus, diverting 4 million pounds of waste annually. Custodial Services collect and transport materials to loading docks, where Waste Recovery Services handle further transportation. Compost goes to the SMSC Organics Facility, while non-recyclables are sent to the HERC in Minneapolis. The university aims to achieve a 90% recycling rate and promotes waste reduction through sustainable practices and zero waste initiatives.

Electronics Recycling of Minnesota is a full-service e-waste collector located in Minneapolis, MN, offering drop-off and pick-up services for businesses and residences in the Twin Cities area. They demanufacture and process all materials locally, including computers, servers, mobile devices, printers, TVs, household appliances, solar panels, and industrial electronics. The facility also provides certified data destruction, IT asset disposition, and hard drive shredding services for sensitive information. Visitors can drop off their recyclable items at 1034 3rd Ave NE, Minneapolis, with convenient hours on weekdays from 9 AM to 6 PM and weekends from noon to 4 PM. Electronics Recycling of Minnesota aims to maximize reuse and minimize environmental impact by setting the standard for responsible recycling practices. They are the only MN PCA registered e-waste recycling facility that offers pick-up services for both residential and commercial clients in the Minneapolis St. Paul metro area. Additionally, they provide IT asset disposition services and complete erasure of data storage devices.

EMR Minneapolis Scrappy's Express on North 2nd Street buys ferrous and nonferrous scrap, junk vehicles, auto batteries, catalytic converters, and small electronics. Now part of EMR, the yard offers junk vehicle pickup by calling (651) 641-0977 and requires a Minnesota copper seller license for certain grades. Hours are Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Eureka Recycling is a community-based, nonprofit social enterprise operating as a zero waste laboratory with a focus on advocating for system changes to reduce waste and promote recycling. They prioritize providing employees with good green jobs and support local economies by choosing responsible end markets for materials that can be recycled repeatedly. Over 90% of their materials are sold to Midwest markets, and all stay within North America. Zero waste practices at Eureka contribute significantly to combating climate change by reducing natural resource demand, conserving energy, and minimizing toxic pollution from incineration and landfilling. Visitors to their location at 2828 Kennedy Street NE in Minneapolis, MN can expect a commitment to waste prevention, recycling advocacy, and support for a healthy, resilient environment.

K K Metal Recycling is a locally owned recycling center with over fifteen years of experience, founded by Dusty Gibbs, Mitch Gibbs, and Henry Wang in 2006. Located at 1728 Second Street N, Minneapolis, MN 55411, the facility operates Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 4:15 pm, closed on Saturdays. Notable updates include the addition of more solar panels and the establishment of a pollinator habitat. However, starting from January 1, 2025, the facility will no longer accept catalytic converters due to the Copper Law. Additionally, they are currently not accepting aluminum cans. For those interested, there are affiliate locations in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Visitors can find more information on their website.

Leder Brothers Metal Company is a family-owned scrap metal recycling business in Minneapolis, serving retail, industrial, and wholesale clients in the Twin Cities area for over 100 years. They do not accept catalytic converters but buy a variety of materials including ferrous scrap like iron and steel, copper, brass, and precious metals. The company focuses on high-quality service, modern facilities, and accurate pricing based on market value. Sellers can bring materials to their clean and secure Minneapolis yard or arrange for pickup, with all metals carefully analyzed for fair pricing. The facility features electronic scales for accurate weight measurements and handheld X-Ray Fluorescence XRF analysis equipment for metal content determination. Leder Brothers pays top prices for scrap metals, ensuring sellers receive maximum value. Their efficient and safe facility is centrally located, easily accessible, and equipped to handle various forms and quantities of metals. With a focus on integrity, fair pricing, and customer relationships, Leder Brothers Metal Company is a trusted name in the Twin Cities' scrap metal recycling industry.

Second Chance Recycling is a social enterprise based in Minneapolis, MN, that focuses on renewing communities through jobs, recycling, and clean energy initiatives. They annually employ 100 individuals who are overcoming barriers to employment, providing them with full-time transitional jobs, training, coaching, and support to re-enter the workforce. The organization specializes in recycling mattresses and box springs, diverting the equivalent of a year's waste from over 2,500 households out of landfills by processing 60,000 mattresses annually. They offer convenient drop-off options at their location for a base recycling fee, as well as a pick-up service for an additional fee, with the ability to estimate the cost by entering a ZIP code. Second Chance Recycling works closely with local cities and counties to maximize recycling efforts. Visitors to their website can learn about success stories of individuals like Kenrick, who transitioned from a trainee to a permanent supervisor position, overcoming a criminal background. The organization's mission is to support a cleaner planet by repurposing mattress waste into new products and providing pathways for individuals to rejoin the workforce.

The recycling center in Minneapolis offers garbage collection weekly, recycling pickup every other week, and organics recycling for food scraps and compostable items at no extra cost. They also provide large item collection services and yard waste collection from mid-April through November. Additionally, the center offers a disposal guide to help residents properly dispose of various household items, as well as options for requesting special cleanups for an added fee. Visitors can also learn about becoming a recycling block leader to help neighbors recycle more efficiently and reduce waste. The center encourages community cleanup efforts and provides resources for preventing and removing graffiti, reporting illegal dumping, and managing waste at events. For those interested in the services, the center's address is Eastside Maintenance Facility, 2635 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418, with office hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

The South Transfer Station in Minneapolis is a drop-off site for extra garbage and building materials, available for City garbage customers who can request a voucher to use the site. Those without City garbage service but with a Minneapolis water bill can pay to use the site. However, the station will be closed for maintenance from April 21 to May 5, during which vouchers and Pay per Use Passes will not be issued. It is important to note that the South Transfer Station is exclusively for City customers with garbage or water service. Visitors must adhere to guidelines for drop-off items and fees, and the station is located at the Eastside Maintenance Facility on 2635 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418. Office hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday, and visitors must call to request a voucher. For further inquiries, individuals can contact Solid Waste Recycling via email or phone.