Join the Stop Food Waste Challenge

About 40% of food is wasted somewhere along the supply chain, and you may be surprised to learn that much of that food waste happens at home. By taking the Stop Food Waste Challenge and committing to actions that reduce wasted food, we can save money, fight climate change, provide for our families, and improve our cooking skills. The challenge goes from August 1 through August 31. 

Join the challenge

Using Self-Serve Recycling 

The Environmental Center offers self-serve recycling of many items, including scrap metal, mixed recycling, cardboard boxes, and food scraps. Follow onsite signage for instructions on what to place in each dumpster. Pull your vehicle to the side and unload the materials yourself. Follow these tips to recycle right every time: 

• Use the provided magnet to determine if your item is made of aluminum or steel. Steel is magnetic; aluminum is not. 
• Place all recyclables loose in the recycling dumpsters. No plastic bags. Plastic bags can jam sorting machines at recycling facilities. 
• Flatten all cardboard boxes. Flattening boxes saves dumpster space and helps prevent non-recyclable materials from being included, such as Styrofoam and plastic packaging. 

Preparing Bulky Items for Drop-off

Ever wonder how to prepare some of your larger items for drop-off at the Environmental Center? Here are some common items that require a little extra work before drop-off. Magnets are available in the self-serve area to help determine if your metal is aluminum (not magnetic) or steel (magnetic). 

Push Lawn Mower 

• Drain oil and gasoline. These fluids can be brought in separate containers and dropped off in the drive-thru lane. 
• Remove bagger. Place in trash or remove wire from fabric and place fabric in the trash.
• Break down push bar.
• Remove any other non-metal parts, if possible. (deflector chutes, wheels, etc.) 

Patio Furniture 

• Cut off any vinyl strapping or cloth webbing. Place in the trash. 
• Remove any glass, plastic, or other non-metal materials. Place in the trash. 
• Disassemble where possible. This helps fit more items in our dumpsters.

Vacuum 

• Remove bag/canister. Place in the trash. 
• Remove plastic hose and/or extensions. Place in the trash. 
• Remove excess plastic. Place in the trash. 

Outdoor Grills  

• Remove propane tank. Tank can be dropped off in the drive-thru lane.
• Remove coals, ash, and/or lava rock. Ensure completely cooled, then place in the trash.   
• Remove non-metal wheels, knobs, and handles. Place in the trash. 
• Disassemble as much as possible. Stack legs and grates inside grill cavity when possible.

Efficient scrap metal collection minimizes transportation costs by maximizing the amount of metal in each dumpster. When items are broken down as much as possible, more weight can fit in our containers, which lowers transportation costs per pound and allows the service to be more sustainable.  

Disposing of Leftover Fireworks

Unused or leftover fireworks are accepted at the Environmental Center for proper disposal. Placing these items in the regular trash can cause problems for garbage trucks, transfer stations, and waste processing facilities.   

We accept aerial fireworks, smoke bombs, sparklers, and all other household fireworks. The largest consumer firework shell is no larger than 1 ¾ inches; anything larger is a professional firework. If you have a professional firework, please call for disposal options.   

Not all consumer grade fireworks are legal in Minnesota.  If you bought it in Minnesota, it’s likely legal here.  If it was purchased elsewhere, we can still accept it, but transportation is at your own risk. 

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