Dakota Valley Recycling coordinates multiple opportunities every year for residents to recycle bulky items, hazardous waste, and other problem materials that are not accepted curbside. Most events are open to all residents within Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, and Lakeville. Some of the events are free, and others require small disposal fees. Click on the tabs from the list below for more information about DVR's annual collection events. 

Tips for drop-off days

• Coordinate with your neighbors or friends to load up one vehicle to deliver items to the drop-off day in order to reduce wait times.
• For your safety, do not step out of your vehicle during drop-off days. 
• Do not pack batteries and bulbs together. Separating them will reduce likelihood of breakage and prevent hazardous spills. 
• Consider donation before recycling whenever possible by using the Dakota County Reuse Guide.
• Dakota County residents may attend any of the Dakota County drop-off days happening throughout the year. Paper shredding is often offered at all drop-off day events. To find other events, visit the Dakota County Recycling Guideand click Recycling Events. 

Minnesota law prohibits appliances from being placed with household garbage because they have components that are harmful to human health and the environment.  Major appliances no longer in usable condition must be recycled. The term "major appliance" includes the following items:

• Air conditioners
• Clothes washers and dryers
• Dishwashers
• Water heaters
• Furnaces
• Microwaves
• Refrigerators
• Freezers
• Ovens, ranges and stoves
• Garbage disposals
• Trash compactors
• Dehumidifiers
• Heat pumps

Recycling Appliances

Option 1:  Some retailers will take and recycle old appliances when you purchase a new one.  Utilize these programs when available.

Option 2: Bring your appliances to one of the following appliance recyclers.  Fees apply, call business for pricing and hours.

A-1 Recycling
2567 Kasota Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108
763-712-1344
www.a1appl.com

Advanced Recyclers
8980 S Hwy 149
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077
651-454-9215
www.jrsappliance.com

Certified Recycling
14305 Ewing Ave
Burnsville, MN 55306
952-894-1448
www.certifiedrecycling.org

Plaza TV and Appliance, Inc.
946 S Robert St
West Saint Paul, MN 55118
651-457-1196
www.plazatv.com

Option 3:If you do not have a way to transport an appliance to a recycling facility, call your garbage hauler or one of the appliance recyclers above to schedule a pick-up for a one-time fee. 

Composting is nature’s way of recycling materials.  It is the natural breakdown of organic wastes by bacteria, fungi, worms, and other organisms under controlled conditions. Besides conserving resources and diverting organic material from landfills, backyard composting can save you money. By diverting your household’s food waste from the garbage, you can reduce the size and cost of your garbage container.

Recipe for composting:

Materials & Ingredients Needed:
Compost container
Stirring tool: shovel or pitchfork
Water
“Brown” compostable materials (see below for list)
“Green” compostable materials (see below for list)

Instructions for Successful Composting:

1. Construct your compost container: Select a dry, shady spot near a water source to place your compost bin.
2. Add “green” compostable material: This includes fruit and vegetable scraps, bread products, grass clippings, plant trimmings and weeds. These materials are high in carbon.
3. Add “brown” compostable material: This includes fallen leaves, straw, sawdust, wood chips, and twigs. These materials are high in nitrogen.
4. Mix: Turn the compost with a stirring tool regularly; no more frequently than once a week. This prevents unpleasant odors and quickens decomposition.  If strong odors occur despite regular turning, add a bulking agent (straw, sawdust or dry leaves). Add water if pile seems too dry (compost should appear “damp” but not soggy).
5. Use: The result of composting is a dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling mixture that can be used as a fertilizer, mulch or in a potting mix.

Helpful Hints

• “Brown” compostable materials include fallen leaves, straw, coffee grounds, wood chips, twigs and sawdust. These materials are high in carbon.
•  “Green” compostable materials include weeds, grass clippings, plant trimmings and food scraps. They are high in nitrogen.
• The ideal ratio for “green” to “brown” material in your bin is generally considered to be a 50/50 mix (1:1 ratio). However, 1:2 or 2:1 ratios will still allow your pile to compost. Disproportionate amounts of “green” can lead to strong odors, and too much “brown” will dry out your pile and stop the composting process. 
• Coffee grounds are high in both carbon and nitrogen, so they are categorized as both green and brown, depending on whom you ask. Paper coffee filters can also be added to your compost pile.
• Do not add the following items to compost container: grease, oil, fat, bones, dairy products, meat or pet waste. These items can be recycled at one of the Dakota County Organics Drop-Sites instead. 

To get your own backyard composting bin:

Information on building compost containers (Missouri Extension Services).

Check at your local garden center for compost bins or go online to recycleminnesota.orgto see if a Compost Bin and Rain Barrel sale is happening near you. 

Check out a Sustainability Man video about composting:

Some batteries contain no harmful materials and other batteries do; please take the time to know the difference. 

People use more and more household batteries.  The average person owns about two button batteries, ten normal (A, AA, AAA, C D 9V, etc.) batteries and throws out about eight household batteries per year.  About three billion batteries are sold annually in the U.S.

Types of Batteries and Disposal Methods:

• Non-rechargeable alkaline and carbon zinc (heavy duty) batteries may be placed in the garbage.  They no longer contain hazardous material and do not need to be recycled.
• Lithium, button, and rechargeable nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries are toxic and should not be placed in the garbage. They should be recycled. 
• Vehicle batteries for cars, boats, snowmobiles, etc. are illegal to throw in the garbage and must be recycled.  By MN State Law, businesses that sell lead-acid batteries are required to accept up to five used batteries per person at no charge. 

To recycle batteries, bring them to the Dakota County Recycling Zone located in Eagan. 

Invest in Rechargeable Batteries

Over its useful life, each rechargeable battery may substitute for hundreds of single-use batteries.  All rechargeable batteries are recyclable.  While they may cost more up front, they'll save money in the long run because they last longer than disposables. 

Here are some tips to get the most out of your rechargeable batteries:

• Follow the charging guidelines provided by the manufacturer
• Let a discharged battery cool (or warm) to room temperature before recharging
• Recharge batteries only when they are near to fully discharged

There are many reuse and donation opportunities for gently used clothing. 

Consignment shops - the following businesses accept clothing for consignment:

Clothes Mentor
952-953-3835
14629 County Road 11
Burnsville, MN 55337

Once Upon a Child
952-432-8802
1100 E. County Road 42
Burnsville, MN 55337

Plato’s Closet
952-431-8494
14603 County Road 11
Burnsville, MN 55337

Turn Style Consignment Store
952-898-1042
Cobblestone Court
14150 Nicollet Ave. S.
Burnsville, MN 55337

Style Encore
612-255-0573
1960 Cliff Lake Rd. #125
Eagan, MN 55122

Kid to Kid Eagan
651-493-1447
1278 Town Centre Dr. #140B
Eagan, MN 55123

Turn Style Consignment Store
952-891-3331
7367 179th St. W.
Lakeville, MN

Second Tyme Around Fashions
651-438-3863
1745 North Frontage Road
Hastings, MN

Thrift stores and non-profits - the following accept clothing items as a donation:

C.H.A.P. Thrift Store  
952-890-8222
2020 E. Highway 13
Burnsville, MN 55337

Treasures Galore
651-500-9554
1964 Rahncliff Ct #800
Eagan, MN 55122

Dakota Woodlands
651-456-9110
3430 Wescott Woodlands
Eagan, MN 55123

Disabled American Veterans
651-487-2002
572 University Ave.
St. Paul, MN

Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota
651-287-2300

Goodwill
952-953-4410
7320 153rd St.
Apple Valley, MN 55124

Goodwill
651-994-7907
1247 Northwood Parkway
Eagan, MN 55121

Salvation Army
Burnsville Family and Thrift Store
952-435-7462
10141 Irving Ave.
Burnsville, MN 55337

Vietnam Veterans of America
651-778-8387

Savers
952-432-7263
7608 W. 150th St. W.
Apple Valley, MN 55124

UNIQUE Thrift Store
952-898-0988
14308 Burnhaven Drive
Burnsville, MN 55337

Goodwill 
651-451-2014
1425 S. Robert St.
West St. Paul, MN 55118

Hastings Family Service
651-437-7134
121 E. Third St.
Hastings, MN 55033

Lupus Foundation of Minnesota  
952-746-5151
2626 E. 82nd St.
Suite 135
Bloomington, MN 55425

Courage Center
763-520-06603
3915 Golden Valley Road
Minneapolis, MN 55422

Neighbors, Inc.  
651-455-1508
218 13th Ave S.
South St. Paul, MN 55075

Arc Greater Twin Cities
1650 White Bear Ave. N.
St. Paul, MN 55106
651-788-8300

What can go into your recycling bin at home? New technologies allow more items to be turned into new products, which means you can recycle more than ever! As the recycling industry advances, we're here to keep you informed. Save, print, or memorize the list below to stay updated!

 For Spanish, visit our Translated Materials page.

Need a list of haulers that are licensed to provide garbage and recycling in your city?  Click on your city for their hauler directory: Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan or Lakeville

Feel like you just have too much stuff cluttering up your home? It's easy to accumulate things, but getting organized might seem like an insurmountable task. Luckily, there are many resources for getting your unwanted things recycled and disposed of properly. View our downloadable Dive into Decluttering Guideand view the tips and locations below to get started. 

Tips:

• Set aside a small amount of time: Instead of trying to do it all at once, try to set obtainable goals to avoid getting overwhelmed. For example your goal may be "15 minutes a day sorting my office closet" or "1 hour a week cleaning the garage." 
• Have three boxes: "Keep" "Donate/Disposal" and "Hold".  The "Hold" box is for things you think you want to get rid of, but you aren't sure.  Put the "Hold" box in a storage space (attic, closet or garage), and after 30 days, anything you haven't removed from the box probably isn't something you're actively using--and can be donated or recycled. 
• Go digital: photos and home videos can be transferred to a digital format to go on your home computer.  Even things like play bills, ticket stubs and letters can be scanned in.
• Take photos and move on: Collecting things can be fun, but evaluate if an old collection is taking up too much space. If you still have the collection of teddy bears from your childhood, consider taking a photo of the collection to remember it by, then donating the items for the next generation to enjoy.  Or, keep one of your favorites if you think you'd like to display it. 

Know where to throw--
resources for disposing of common unwanted items:

For more information, or if you are interested in attending a Decluttering Workshop, call 952-895-4515 or email a DVR staff member 

Disposable wipes, used for changing baby diapers, personal hygiene, household cleaning, and more, are causing major issues for cities wastewater treatment stations. Although labeled ‘flushable’ or ‘septic safe’ these wipes do not break down the same way as toilet paper does. When flushed, these wipes catch on any imperfection in the sewer pipes, like debris or grease deposits, which creases a dam that grows in size until it fully clogs the pipes. These clogs put stress on community waste water collection and treatment systems, causing premature equipment repair and replacement. They can even lead to backups into homeowner’s basement. Clogs and backups are becoming more prevalent as ‘flushable’ wipes use increases. Luckily, there is a simple solution – throw them in the trash. Even though they may be labeled as ‘flushable’ or ‘septic safe,’ this is not a wastewater treatment endorsed term, all wipes belong in the trash.

You can find a video from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency about how disposable wipes differ from toilet paper when flushed below.

Get rid of problem materials safely, and FREE

When the time comes for spring cleaning, it can be hard to know how to dispose of certain items. Hazardous waste is illegal to put in the trash, and should stay out of your home recycling cart. So here is a short guide for disposing of problem materials.

Vaping devices –As concerns rise over the safety of vaping, people are ditching more frequently. Vaping pens, e-cigarettes and other similar devices have batteries that could cause fires, so it is important to keep them out of your home recycling and trash. Instead, bring vaping devices to The Recycling Zone in Eagan for proper disposal. Make sure it is turned off before dropping it off for recycling.

Mercury –Mercury, despite its toxicity, is still used in several products around your home, including thermometers, fluorescent bulbs and non-programmable thermostats. When you’re done using these products, bring them to the Recycling Zone for free, safe disposal. You can even pick up a free digital thermometer when you drop off an old mercury thermometer.

Ammunition –Due to its explosive properties, ammunition should not be placed in your home trash or recycling carts, as it can be dangerous for you and the people collecting them. Instead, bring your ammunition to The Recycling Zone for safe disposal. You may also bring ammunition to your local law enforcement center, but please do not bring ammunition to the Eagan or Burnsville Police Departments, as they have discontinued their collections.

Batteries –Some batteries contain toxic metals like lead and cadmium, which can pose a harm to human health and our water and land if trashed. Bring all your batteries – single-use and rechargeable, small or big – to The Recycling Zone for free drop-off. The metals, acids and plastic that compose batteries can all be used to make new products. Please tape both ends of each battery with any kind of tape to help out Recycling Zone staff.

If you haven’t guessed already, The Recycling Zone accepts lots of hazardous materials for safe disposal, and the best part – it’s all FREE (except tires, TVs, and computer monitors). For a full list of accepted items, visit www.dakotacounty.us and search Recycling Zone.

We understand recycling can be confusing, and it's hard to know what to do with all the different kinds of materials out there, which is why we've created a series of YouTube videos to answer your most pressing recycling-related questions. Take a Dive Into Recycling with DVR, and find out what to do with plastic bags, pharmaceuticals, and many other problem materials.

If you don't see something you need information on, leave us a comment under any of the videos and we'll add your question to our list!

Living in an apartment or multiple-dwelling property may limit your space and your control over your environment in comparison to a single-family home, but there are still easy ways to be green. This type of living situation comes with some different ways of dealing with waste, recycling, energy, etc. Check out the information below to help you get on your way.

Garbage and Recycling

1. Management companies/landlords of multiple-dwelling properties must offer tenants the opportunity to recycle, per city ordinance in Apple Valley, Burnsville, and Eagan, MN. See the Ordinances section. If you are not offered any recycling for the basic materials (cans, bottles, paper, etc.), talk to your management company. 

2. Property management companies can apply for free assistance through the Dakota County Multifamily Recycling Program in the form of containers, labels, totes, and education for residents and staff.

3. In the garbage industry, apartment buildings are often considered "commercial" accounts rather than "residential". If you need to contact the garbage or recycling hauler that services your building(s), please check our list of licensed commercial haulers. 

4. Did you know you must properly recycle electronics when you are done with them and NOT put them in the garbage?  They also cannot go in with regular recyclables (cans, bottles, paper, etc.). Find options for recycling electronics like televisions, computers, stereos, etc. at the electronics recycling section.

5. Need to find out how to recycle other items? Check out our Residential Recycling section. 

6. Want to learn how to properly dispose of many different items? Visit Dakota County's Recycling and Disposal Guide, an online tool with lots of information.

Energy

1. Easy things like turning off the lights and unplugging electronics while not in use can help save electricity and money.

2. Washing clothes in cold water uses less energy and will save you money if you have your own washer. It will also preserve your clothing.

3. Use CFLs (compact fluorescent bulbs) in lamps and lighting fixtures instead of the old incandescent bulbs.  Not only will they last longer, but they use 75% less energy.  Just make sure to look for the Energy Star rating on the light bulbs to ensure long-lasting quality. Learn more about Fluorescent bulbs.

4. For many other energy-saving tips, check out the MN Energy Challengeand their "Renter" specific section. 

Moving in or moving out?

5. Want to find or get rid of gently used furniture and other household goods? Check out things like Craigslist or look at the Reuse sectionto find donation and other opportunities.

6. Do you have household cleaners, paint, old fluorescent bulbs or other items that need to be disposed of? These are considered household hazardous waste and can all be brought to The Dakota County Recycling Zone, in Eagan, at NO CHARGE. 

It is important to carefully dispose of home and business electronics including but not limited to: 

• Televisions
• Computers (central processing units, monitors, laptops)
• Computer accessories such as keyboards, speakers, printers and other peripherals
• VCRs, DVD players and Blu-Ray players
• Gaming consoles
• Fax Machines
• Cell phones, mp3 players and other handheld devices

Recycling Electronics

Option 1: Bring your unwanted electronics to The Recycling Zone, a local electronics recycler or a retail store with an electronics recycling program.

The Recycling Zone
3365 Dodd Rd
Eagan, MN 55121
952-891-7800
www.dakotacounty.us (search Recycling Zone)
Wed: 9:00am - 8:00pm
Thurs: noon - 8:00pm
Fri: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sat: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Fee: Most items are free, computer monitors and TVs are $10 each

Local Electronics Recyclers
Contact electronics recyclers directly for hours of operation and fees.

Advanced Recyclers
8980 S Hwy 149
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077
651-454-9215
www.jrsappliance.com

Certified Recycling
14305 Ewing Ave
Burnsville, MN 55306
952-894-1448
www.certifiedrecycling.org

Plaza TV and Appliance, Inc.
846 S Robert St
West Saint Paul, MN 55118
651-457-1196
www.plazatv.com

Veteran Shredding
1800 Cliff Rd E Dock Door #18
Burnsville, MN 55337
952-758-2980
www.veteranshredding.net

Retail Stores with Electronics Recycling Programs
Contact stores directly for hours and program details.

Best Buy
Multiple locations [find a store]
www.bestbuy.com/recycling
Limit 3 electronics per household, per day.
Limit 2 TVs per household, per day. LED screens smaller than 50". Tube TVs smaller than 32" and under. 25$ fee for TVs and monitors. Visit Best Buy website for restrictions and items accepted.

Staples
Multiple locations [find a store]
Staples Eco-services webpage
Limit 3 electronics per person, per day.
Visit Staples website for items accepted and restrictions.

Target
Multiple locations [find a store]
Recycle handheld devices such as mp3 players and cell phones at recycling station at front of store.
Devices such as GPS, tablet PCs and gaming consoles can be traded in for a Target gift card through target.nextworth.com
Contact store directly for details.

Recycling for Raptors
Multiple locations [find a store]
Recycling used inkjet printer cartridges only. 
Contact the U of M Raptor Center directly for details.

Option 2: If you do not have a way to transport an electronic item to a recycling facility, call your garbage hauler or one of the local electronics recyclers above to schedule a pick-up for a one-time fee.  The Recycling Zone does not arrange pick ups of electronic items.

Find the latest Environmental Guide right here! For information on what to recycle at home, organics drop sites, and the Recycling Zone, keep this Guide handy!

ENERGY STARis a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.
 

EPEAT, which stands for Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, is an easy-to-use, on-line tool helping institutional purchasers select and compare computer desktops, laptops and monitors based on their environmental attributes. As of June 2007, approximately 532 products manufactured by 19 manufacturers were EPEAT registered and listed on the EPEAT Product Registry Web page.
 

Three good reasons to purchase Energy Star and EPEAT products:

• It reduces greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants caused by the inefficient use of energy.  Also improvements in equipment operation and end-of-life management practices.
• It makes it easy for consumers to identify and purchase energy-efficient products that offer savings on energy bills without sacrificing performance, features, and comfort.
• It provides clear, consistent procurement criteria so that consumers can promote environmental stewardship with their dollars.  Every time someone buys a product that’s a part of the EPEAT or Energy Star program, they’re helping give manufacturers an incentive to produce greener electronics that are less harmful to the environment.

 Check out the EPA web sitefor more information about EPEAT.

Make your next event or gathering a green one! Dakota Valley Recycling can help you plan a low-waste event by providing free resources to residents and event planners. View the following guides to get started.

Free Guides

1. Planning a low waste event

2. Reduce your waste guide for vendors

3. Vendors that sell compostable products

Borrow Supplies

If you live in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, or Lakeville, Dakota Valley Recycling also has free and easy to use recycling resources for your event including: 

• Portable recycling, organics, and trash stations
• Signs and banners
• Bags and litter grabbers

Contact Jackson Becker by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), or by phone (952-895-4511) to reserve equipment. Please note that for larger events requiring 10 or more frames/stations, we will direct you to use Dakota County resources. 

Set up disposal

In order to recycle what you collect, you will have to arrange for a pick up service through a licensed hauler. For a list of licensed commercial haulers, visit our hauler guide here. 

If you collected organics during your event including food and compostable products, you must arrange a separate pick-up for the material to go to a commercial organics recycling site. You may set that service up with your selected hauler. If food and food scraps only were collected, you may place that in a backyard composter.

If you collected any hazardous materials during your event including but not limited to paints, cleaners, fuels, and most products labeled dangerous, flammable, combustible, poisonous, or corrosive, you will need to bring these items to The Recycling Zone in Eagan. Residents are able to drop off hazardous waste for free during open business hours.  

What is FOG?

FOG is the fats, oils, and greases that are a by-product of cooking. FOG is found in meat fats, lard, cooking oil, shortening, butter/margarine, food scraps, baking goods, sauces, and dairy products.

Why is FOG important?

It is important to keep FOG out of our sewer system, as it is currently the number one cause of sewer blockages in homes. If poured down the drain or toilet, FOG can adhere and thicken on pipe walls. The buildup can restrict or completely block pipes, inhibiting flow. This can lead to rancid orders and sewer backups in basements, roadways, and water bodies. These overflows are not only expensive and messy, but are hazardous to the environment and can also severely damage property.

How to properly dispose of FOG

To properly dispose of fats, oils, and greases, the best way is to pour cooled cooking oil, poultry and meat fats into a sealed non-recyclable container and discard it with your normal garbage. Then use paper towels to wipe residual oil or grease off pots, pans, and dishes before washing them. If you have large quantities of cooking oil (like from a deep fryer), you can bring them to The Recycling Zone to drop off for free.

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) use significantly less energy than traditional (incandescent) light bulbs. If every America home replaced one bulb with a CFL, we'd save enough energy to light 3 million homes, and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equal to ~800,000 cars. Even though CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, that amount is significantly less than the amount of mercury avoided as a result of the energy savings.

Recycling Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

• CFL bulbs: It is illegal to place CFL bulbs in the garbage, because they contain a small amount of mercury. You can recycle CFLs (bulbs ONLY) at any of the locations in the green box below. CFLs (bubls and tubes) are also collected at Household Hazardous Waste Clean-Up days for free. NOTE: if you have fluorescent tubes, please scroll down for recycling options as these are not accepted at the locations listed in the table below.

• Fluorescent tubes: These cannot be placed in the trash. Instead, take them to The Recycling Zone[free from a residential source, for a fee from businesses], Batteries Plus, or Certified Recyclingfor a fee, so they may be disposed of properly and safely.

Why use a CFL?

• A CFL can save more than $40 in electricity costs over its lifetime if used instead of an incandescent bulb
• It uses 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and lasts 10 times longer
• Produces about 75% less heat, so it's safer to operate and can cut energy costs associated with home cooling

Preventing CFLs from Breaking:

• Always switch off and allow the bulb to cool before handling. If possible, screw/unscrew the CFL by holding the plastic or ceramic base, not the glass tubing
• Do not overtighten
• Keep out of lamps that could easily tip

Cleaning Up a Broken CFL:

Exposure to broken CFLs can pose a health risk, especially to pregnant women and young children. 

1. Open a window, shut off central air conditioning or forced-air heating, and clear the room for at least 15 minutes, as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends.
2. Follow the detailed cleanup steps for either hard surfaces or carpeting/rugs posted on the EPA web site.

Check out these other helpful links:

• For purchasing tips visit the Energy Star web site.
• Find more information on facts and myths about CFLs.

Businesses that generate food waste have options for disposing of this waste other than sending it to the landfill.  Starting an organics recycling program is a viable option for giving your food waste another purpose, and being an environmental steward. 

There are three main organics recycling options for businesses:

Food-to-People Programs-- Sometimes food being thrown away is edible and fine for human consumption.  This waste material can serve as a resource for food rescue organizations and can provide hunger relief for those in need in the community. This includes donating fresh or prepared food that is still good such as day-old bread or that day's leftovers. For more information visit Rethink Recycling's Food Recovery Guide. 

Food-to-Livestock Programs-- Food that is no longer safe for people to eat can still find a good use.  Food waste can be taken by a farmer to be processed into animal feed.  This includes any amount of food scraps and by-products. For more information check out Rethink Recycling's Guide and search Food to Animals. 

Organics Composting-- Food scraps and soiled paper can be collected and taken to a compost facility where it is composted and turned into a nutrient rich soil amendment. Call your hauler for organics recycling options and check out the local SET compost site in Dakota County.

The number one item in our trash is food and it’s finding its way to the landfill. That’s why nearly8,000 Dakota County households have registered to participate in the free organics drop-off program. Across all eight locations, more than 10,000 pounds of food scraps and other compostable products are collected each week.  

Bringing organics to a drop-off site is easy and can dramatically reduce waste. The typical household can divert up to one-third of trash by delivering items such as food scraps, spoiled produce, coffee grounds and bones. Instead of sitting in a landfill, this material is turned into compost — a nutrient-rich soil additive — used in gardening and landscaping. 

Sites are located throughout the county — Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Hastings, Lakeville, Mendota Heights, Rosemount and West St. Paul – with more sites opening this year.  

Locations

Locations are open daily from 5 a.m.-10 p.m., unless noted below.

• ​Burnsville – Civic Center Park, 260​ Civic Center Parkway​​
• ​Eagan – Holland Lake Trailhead, Lebanon Hills Regional Park, 1100 Cliff Road 
• Farmington Central Maintenance Facility, 19650 Municipal Drive​​​
• Hastings Transportation Shop, 900 County Road 47​
• Lakeville Water Treatment Facility, 18400 Ipava Ave.
• Mendota Heights – Mendakota Park, 2171 Dodd Road​​​
• Rosemount
  • Rosemount Public Works Facility, 14455 Brazil Ave.  
  • The Mulch Store, 16454 Blaine Ave. E (Empire Township), Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Saturday hours vary seasonally. Check The Mulch Store website or call 651-423-4401.
• West St. Paul – Dakota Lodge, Thompson County Park, 1200 Stassen Road

To sign up and for more information visitwww.dakotacounty.us, emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 952-891-7557. All registered participants receive helpful tips and compostable bags to use at home. 

Partially funded by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Dakota County.  

Furniture in good condition can be donated to any of the following businesses to be resold and reused.  For furniture items no longer in good condition, Certified Recycling in Burnsville offers drop-off or pick-up service to deconstruct and recycle the materials. Otherwise, call your garbage hauler for a one-time pick up (call for fees), or bring them to a landfill.

Certified Recycling
14305 Ewing Ave
Burnsville, MN
985-894-1448

Donation Options

Apple Valley

Goodwill
7320 153rd St
Apple Valley, MN
952-953-4410

Savers
7608 W 150th St
Apple Valley, MN
952-432-7263

Burnsville

C.H.A.P. Thrift Store
2020 E Hwy 13
Burnsville, MN
952-890-8222

Salvation Army - Burnsville Family and Thrift Store
10141 Irving Ave
Burnsville, MN
952-435-7462

UNIQUE Thrift Store
14308 Burnhaven Dr
Burnsville, MN
952-898-0988

Eagan

Goodwill
1247 Northwood Pkwy
Eagan, MN
651-994-7907

Other Locations

Bridging
201 W 87th St
Bloomington, MN
952-888-1105

Goodwill
1425 S Robert St
West Saint Paul, MN
651-451-2014