The Ultimate Twin Cities Guide to Getting Rid of Stuff Responsibly Part Three: Household Materials
Welcome to the third installment of The Ultimate Twin Cities Guide to Getting Rid of Stuff Responsibly! In Part One, we covered local thrift stores that accept donations, and in Part Two, we highlighted mission-specific charities that take certain items. Now, let’s talk about everything else—household hazardous waste, electronics, plastic bags, medications, and more. Here’s how to responsibly dispose of those hard-to-get-rid-of items in the Twin Cities.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-Off Sites
Many household items—like paint, batteries, chemicals, and electronics—contain materials that are dangerous to dispose of in regular trash. Luckily, each county in the Twin Cities metro area has designated drop-off locations.
Hennepin County Drop-Off Facilities
Brooklyn Park: 8100 Jefferson Hwy
Bloomington: 1400 W 96th St
Accepted Items: Paints, automotive fluids, fluorescent bulbs, batteries, pesticides, electronics and more
Bonus Tip: With the county exchange program, residents of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties can drop off materials at any of the household hazardous waste sites in the area regardless of where they reside.
More Info: Hennepin County Recycling
Ramsey County HHW
Year-round site: 1700 Kent St., Roseville
Seasonal mobile sites: Locations vary (check online)
Accepted Items: Household cleaners, sharps, paint, automotive fluids, electronics and more.
Bonus Tip: At this same location, you can check out the Reuse Room. Here, residents can find free household products that are looking to be put to good use! (You can find a similar service at Hennepin and Washington County facilities as well)
More Info: Ramsey County HHW
Dakota County Recycling Zone
Address: 3365 Dodd Road (Hwy 149), Eagan, MN
Accepted Items: Paints, chemicals, electronics, batteries, propane tanks, small appliances, recyclable and more.
Bonus Tip: When donating electronics you can be assured all data will be destroyed to U.S. Department of Defense Standards
More Info: The Recycling Zone
Washington County Environmental Center
Woodbury: 4039 Cottage Grove Drive
Forest Lake: 6065 Headwaters Pkwy
Accepted Items: Fluorescent bulbs, chemicals, household cleaners, paint, automotive fluids, electronics, sharps and more.
Bonus Tip: Check their website for free shredding events open to residents and businesses of Washington County
More Info: Washington County Environmental Center
Anoka County HHW Facility
Address: 3230 101st Ave NE, Blaine, MN
Accepted Items: Batteries, fluorescent bulbs, automotive fluids, paint, pesticides, antifreeze, etc.
Bonus tip: Remember to bring proof of residency in any of the 7 metro counties via an ID or Utility Bill
More Info: Anoka County HHW
Medication Drop-Off Sites
Northeast Metro:
Arden Hills: Sheriff’s Patrol Station, 1411 Paul Kirkwold Drive. Open M-F 8:30-4:30pm (Drop Box Inside)
Maplewood: Police Department, 600 Maplewood Drive. Open 24/7 (Drop Box Outside Building)
New Brighton: Public Safety Department, 785 Old Hwy 8 NW. Open 24/7 (Drop Box Inside)
North St. Paul: City Hall, 2400 Margaret Street. Open M-F 8-4:30pm (Drop Box Inside)
Saint Paul: Law Enforcement Center, 425 Grove St. Open M-F 8-4pm (Drop Box Inside)
White Bear Lake: Public Safety Department, 4701 Hwy 61. Open M-F 8-4pm (Drop Box Inside)
Southeast Metro:
Cottage Grove: Service Center, 13000 Ravine Parkway S. Open M-F 8-4:30pm (Drop Box Inside)
Eagan: The Recycling Zone, 3365 Dodd Road. Open Wed-Sat (Check Website for Hours) (Drop Box Inside)
Hastings: Dakota County Government Center, 1590 Hwy 55. Open M-F 8-4:30pm (Drop Box Inside)
Inver Grove Heights: City Hall, 8150 Barbara Avenue. Open M-F 8-4:30pm (Drop Box Inside)
Mendota Heights: Police Department, 1101 Victoria Curve. Open 24/7 (Drop Box Inside)
Woodbury: Service Center, 2150 Radio Drive. Open M-F 8-4:30pm (Drop Box Inside)
Southwest Metro:
Burnsville: Police Department, 100 Civic Center Parkway. Open M-F 8-4:30pm (Drop Box Inside)
Chanhassen: Sheriff’s Office, 7848 Kerber Blvd. Open M-F 8-4:30pm (Drop Box Inside)
Eden Prairie: Police Department, 8080 Mitchell Road. Open M-F 8-4:30pm (Drop Box Inside)
Lakeville: Police Department, 9237 183rd St W. Open 24/7 (Drop Box Inside)
Savage: Police Department, 6000 McColl Drive. Open M-F 8-4:30pm (Drop Box Inside)
Northwest Metro:
Andover: Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, 13301 Hanson Blvd NW. Open M-F 8-4:30pm (Drop Box Inside)
Anoka: Police Department, 275 Harrison St. Open M-F 8-4:30pm (Drop Box Inside)
Blaine: Police Department, 10801 Town Square Drive NE. Open M-F 7-4:30pm (Drop Box Inside)
Brooklyn Park: Police Department, 5400 85th Ave N. Open M-F 8-4:30pm (Drop Box Inside)
Coon Rapids: Police Department, 11155 Robinson Drive NW. Open M-F 8-4:30pm (Drop Box Inside)
Elk River: Sherburne County Government Center, 13880 Business Center Drive NW. Open M-F 8-4:30pm (Drop Box Inside)
To note: accepted items typically include prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and pet medications. Items generally not accepted include needles, sharps, and liquid chemotherapy drugs. It's advisable to check with each location for specific guidelines.
Other Specialized Items
Old Glasses
Lions Club International: Most local optometrists have collection boxes for donated glasses.
Walmart Vision Centers: Many locations have drop-off bins for old glasses.
Old Ink Cartridges
Office Depot: Drop off used cartridges and earn store rewards.
Plastic Bags
Target/Walmart: Many locations have collection bins near the entrance.
Cub Foods: Stores throughout the Twin Cities typically accept plastic bags and plastic film for recycling.
By taking the time to dispose of these items properly, you help keep hazardous materials out of landfills and ensure that reusable materials find a second life. Have any other great disposal resources in the Twin Cities? I’d love to hear about them!
Stay tuned for more organizing and decluttering tips in upcoming blog posts!
