Public Health and Environment

Recycling Container Loan Program

Washington County loans recycling containers for collecting bottles and cans. This program is designed to serve small, single-day gatherings such as graduation parties, family reunions, weddings, block parties, and similar events. For information on planning for recycling at larger events, see www.mngreengatherings.org.

The containers fold down for easy transport and storage and the bags provided hold more than 200 mixed bottles and cans. Since full bags can be replaced with a new bag, the container never fills up. Full bags of recyclables may be placed with regular recycling pickup or be taken to the County Environmental Center in Woodbury during business hours.

To reserve containers: 

1. Provide as much advanced notice as possible as container use is very high in the summer months and county staff will need to coordinate with the distribution sites. 
2. Fill out and print the reservation form and call Washington County at 651-430-6655 to reserve containers. 
3. Pick up the containers at the Government Center in Stillwater, Woodbury City Hall, Cottage Grove Public Works, or the Washington County Service Center in Forest Lake. One case holding two container frames and lids weighs about 25 pounds. 

Containers must be returned to the same site borrowed from within two days of the event.