COVID-19: Changes to Service

Environmental Center: All services offered at the Environmental Center are suspended until further notice. The April 15 shredding event at the Environmental Center has also been cancelled.

One-Day Collection Events: The spring events in Hugo, Mahtomedi, Cottage Grove, and Stillwater have been cancelled at this time. Check the website for updates on future scheduled events.

Food Scraps (Organics) Drop-off: Food scraps drop-off service is temporarily suspended at the Washington County Environmental Center and Northern Yard Waste site until further notice. See t he website for details.

Northern Yard Waste Site: The Northern Yard Waste Site is open to the public during normal operating hours for yard waste only. Please stay at least 6 feet away from attendants and other customers while visiting the county yard waste site.

Visit the website for a full list of closures and service changes

Safe Storage for Hazardous Waste

Residents are encouraged to safely store their household hazardous waste until service at the Environmental Center or one-day collection events resumes.

Store out of the reach of children.
Store in a dry place. Don’t let products freeze.
Store away from heat or food sources.
Store in original container and make sure the original label is intact.
Do not mix products together.
Place clear tape on both the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals of batteries to prevent fires.

Join the Earth Day Challenge

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Ramsey County, Washington County, and Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy are teaming up to offer Earth Day Action Quest, which offers Earth-focused activities for families who are at home now.

Join the challenge!

Making Food Last Longer

If you’re trying to minimize grocery trips, it can be easy to buy too much and then have food to waste. Check out Save the Food's interactive storage guide with tips, tricks, and information to keep your food fresh and tasty for as long as possible.

Learn more

Disposal Tips During COVID-19

Finding yourself re-evaluating your stuff while spending more time at home? You are not alone! It can be hard to figure out what to do with unwanted items while many stores and services are closed or operating differently. Below are some tips to help you responsibly clean out your unwanted items during this time:

Donations: Check with your local donation centers to see if/when they are accepting donations, or consider posting to online sites such as NextDoor, Facebook sale groups, or Craigslist. If it's not urgent to dispose of, hold onto it for now and set aside to donate later.

Bulky items: For bulky items that are beyond repair, check with your hauler for pick-up options or search the Washington County Disposal Directory.

Yard waste: Leaves, grass, brush and tree waste can be taken to the Northern Yard Waste Site.

Keep in mind that garbage and recycling collection are considered essential services and will continue, but try to ensure that anything thrown away does not include hazardous waste or things that can be reused, donated, or recycled. Please make sure all trash is bagged and placed inside your cart.

Search the Washington County Disposal Directory to find more recycling and disposal options for items you no longer want or need.

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More information: www.co.washington.mn.us | 651-430-6655