Recycling, Re-use, Composting

Recycling

Residential recycling is provided through the City of Saint Paul partnering with Eureka Recycling.

City of Saint Paul Recycling Program https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/public-works/recycling-and-waste-reduction/residential-recycling-program 651-266-6199.  St. Paul residents should contact the City’s recycling team for any customer needs related to recycling collection, cart service, or general recycling program questions.  Reach the recycling team by phone call at 651-266-6199, use the online form at stpaul.gov/recycle or email recyclingprogram@ci.stpaul.mn.us.

Eureka Recycling  https://eurekarecycling.org/  call 651-222-7678 or email info@eurekarecycling.org.  Eureka Recycling also has an app that you can download from Google Play or the Apple App Store.

Blue recycling carts are provided and remain with the property.  If you are moving onto a property and there is no blue recycling cart, please call the City’s recycling team at 651-266-6199 to have one delivered.  There is no “sign-up” needed to start service; recycling is picked up each week in the neighborhood, so you just have to put your cart out on your scheduled day!

What can I recycle?

  • Plastic containers with the #1, #2, and #5: bottles, cups, & containers.  Rinse and put the caps or lids back on.
  • Paper: dry newspapers and ads, mail, magazines, school papers.
  • Boxes: from cereal, crackers & snacks, personal care items, pop, shoes, and even pizza delivery boxes. And from all the mail-order items.  Flatten the boxes. NO frozen food boxes.
  • Cartons: paper & cardboard-type containers such as milk cartons, juice boxes, broth & soup, snacks, and more.  Rinse and put the caps back on.
  • Metal: cans from food & beverages, aluminum foil and trays and pie tins, empty aerosol cans.  Rinse. NO cans that contained hazardous or flammable materials.
  • Glass: food and beverage bottles and jars.  Rinse, remove caps/lids.

All recycling is put into the cart loose.  Do not put it in plastic bags.  Items must be inside the cart with the lid closed. Residents can set out extra materials, outside of the cart any time, not just after a missed collection.  Limit is 6 paper grocery bags or 3 medium size boxes.  Set next to the cart with some space.

Refer to the paper copy of the Recycling Guide that is mailed to residents each year, or visit the City website listed above and view or download the current guide for more details.

When does recycling get collected?
In the Payne-Phalen neighborhood, recycling is collected on Thursdays.  Not sure what neighborhood you are in? Go to stpaul.gov/recycling-and-waste-reduction/collection-information/ to find your collection day and holidays that may affect collection day.

Apartment and Business Recycling
If you live in or manage an apartment building, the City has resources for you. View the current guides on the city website at stpaul.gov/public-works/recycling-and-waste-reduction.

The Apartment Recycling Guide is designed for properties with 4 or more units.  Information includes how to start or improve recycling at your location, what can be recycled, food waste, and other resources related to proper disposal of various items.

The Recycling and Garbage Services Guide is designed for single family homes and smaller properties with 1-4 units.  Be sure to look at the helpful diagram on properly using your garbage cart.  Information on temporary service holds is helpful if you expect to go out of town for a month or more.

Businesses are required to recycle at their buildings.   Find more information and resources at stpaul.gov/recycling-and-waste-reduction/recycling-businesses.  BizRecycling.com offers assistance to businesses, apartments, non-profits and schools to reduce waste and improve recycling and food waste.  Grants can be applied for to assist.

Mattress and Box Spring Recycling
The City of Saint Paul is partnering with Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy and Second Chance Recycling to offer mattress and box spring recycling collection to residents. Saint Paul residents and property managers can now request a curbside pick-up of mattresses, box springs, or metal bed frames at no additional cost.

Residents and owners of single-family homes or properties with 4 or fewer residential units, can schedule mattress pick-ups directly with Second Chance Recycling at https://www.secondchancerecyclingmn.com/curbside-collection-program/

Multi-unit property owners or managers can connect with Minnesota Waste Wise to schedule free mattress recycling collections for the property. For more information, visit Apartment Mattress Recycling – Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy (recyclingandenergy.org) or contact Waste Wise at wastewise@mnchamber.com or 651-292-3931.

For more information go to https://www.stpaul.gov/mattressrecycling.

For more information:
What else can be recycled curbside, how to recycle other items that can’t go in the curbside pickup, what to do about a missed pickup, and much more, visit: https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/public-works/recycling-and-waste-reduction/residential-recycling-program .  You can also download the current Recycling Guide or refer to the paper copy of the Guide that is mailed to residents each year.

Try the Eureka Recycling app! See your recycling schedule, get reminders and announcements, and look up what can and can’t be recycled.  Get it at Eureka Recycling or search for “Eureka Recycling” in your app store for download.  It’s available for both Android and iOS.

Visit the Eureka Recycling website and find resources on how to prevent wasted food and save money, getting to zero waste, backyard composting, and more.  Questions?  Contact their customer service using the online form, or for immediate assistance call their Zero Waste Hotline at 612-669-2783.

Ramsey County A to Z Recycling & Disposal Guide allows you to search by item or by category for how to properly dispose of an item.  Appliances large and small, batteries and electronics of all kinds, medicines, furniture, home fixtures and remodeling materials, hazardous items, and yard waste are all listed with disposal options  Ramsey A to Z Recycling Guide.  You can also call the Recycling & Disposal Hotline at 651-633-3279 (651-633-EASY).

http://ramseyrecycles.com/  View the Ramsey County website for information on recycling, yard waste, food scraps, household hazardous waste, and business recycling.

Household Hazardous Waste
Can be taken year-round to the Bay West collection site at 5 Empire Drive, Saint Paul 55103.
Hours April – November: 11 AM – 6 PM Tuesday – Friday, 9 AM – 4 PM Saturday.
Hours December – March: 9 AM – 4 PM Friday and Saturday.
Check RamseyRecyles.com for a list of accepted items and any holiday closures.

Yard Waste
Can be taken to any Ramsey County Yard Waste sites for free. Leaves, grass, and garden waste are accepted at all sites.  Some locations also take trees, branches, and shrubs.  The closest site for many Payne-Phalen residents is the Frank and Sims site at 1150 Sims Ave.  All items listed are accepted at this location.  Visit ramseyrecycles.com/ for a listing of sites and what is accepted.

Hours April – November: 11 AM – 7 PM Monday, Wednesday, & Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM Saturday, and 11 AM – 5 PM Sunday.
Hours December – March: 9 AM – 5 PM Saturday, 11 AM – 5 PM Sunday. 

Food scraps (organics recycling) is also available at the yard waste sites. Food scraps includes egg shells, coffee grounds and paper filters, bones, corn cobs, and pet food.  See the list of acceptable items and how to drop them off at ramseyrecycles.com/food scraps.  Under the “How to recycle food scraps” you can view a video of what happens to the food scraps after they are collected.  The video also has translated subtitles in Spanish, Somali, Hmong and Karen.

In Saint Paul there are several 24/7 Drop-off sites. Drop-off sites in Ramsey County Yard Waste sites have limited hours. For details and locations, including maps, go to  stpaul.gov/food-scraps-organics-recycling

Find more information on recycling and composting on the Additional Recycling and Resources page.