Garbage
Changes are being made to the solid waste program in an effort to continue meeting the city’s program goals of providing high-quality cost-effective service, encouraging environmental stewardship, and becoming a “zerowaste” community. Effective October 1, there will be two residential collection haulers – one for garbage and yard waste (Waste Management) and another for recycling (Eureka Recycling).- Eureka Recycling trucks and drivers collecting your recycling instead of Waste Management.
- Additional recycling items being collected include pop and beer boxes, milk cartons, juice boxes, and clean clothes and linens.
- New educational tags on proper recycling from Eureka Recycling drivers.
- The current green and orange educational tags that Waste Management drivers leave on carts have changed. Waste Management has developed 4 new “customer friendly” educational tags aimed at providing information to assist the resident with their disposal of garbage and yard waste items.
- Residents who are currently signed up for walkup service will receive an annual invoice from Eureka Recycling for recycling walkup service, and an annual invoice from Waste Management for garbage walkup service.
- Will we receive new recycling bins?
No, the same recycling bins that are currently in use will be used for recycling with Eureka.
- Will recycling be picked up on the same day as the garbage and yard waste? If so, will it also continue to be weekly?
Yes, garbage, recycling, and yard waste will continue to be collected on the same weekly schedule.
- If the recycling is picked up the same day, won’t there be a problem with trucks from different companies being in the same area at the same time?
The same number of trucks will be used to collect garbage, waste, and recyclables. Waste Management and Eureka Recycling don’t foresee the situation as being a problem.
- Are there going to be new rules and regulations as to what can be recycled?
There are no new rules and regulations other than there are some new additional items that may be recycled.
- Is the change to Eureka going to affect the garbage rates?
No, the new changes do not affect rates.
- Will there be “organics” recycling?
Not at this time. However, the new contract allows this to occur should this become feasible for the City.
- Are the hours of operation (collection and office hours) the same for Eureka and Waste Management?
Yes, the collection and customer service hours for both Eureka Recycling and Waste Management are from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday.
- Who can we contact for recycling bins – either replacement or additional?
You can contact Eureka Recycling at 651-222-7678 , St. Louis Park’s Utility Billing at 952-924-2111, or Public Works Department at 952-924-2555 for additional or replacement bins.
- Are walk up services available for recycling and garbage?
Yes. Eureka Recycling offers walk-up service for $3 per month, billed annually. This is the same rate that Waste Management charges for garbage walk-up service which is billed annually as well (except WM is required to charge taxes and fees). There is no walk-up service for yard waste.
About Your Garbage Bill
Your quarterly utility bill from the City of St. Louis Park includes charges for garbage collection as well as water, sanitary sewer and storm drainage. Tax is applied to the portion of your trash that goes to the incinerator or landfill. The non-taxed portion of your garbage service is for yard waste and recyclables which are not landfilled or incinerated.
Appliances, Furniture and Large Loads
Collection of appliances, furniture, construction debris or large loads is not part of your regular trash collection service. To have special items or large loads collected, you must make arrangements with Waste Management. Do NOT set out special items or large loads until you have arranged for special collection.
To arrange for a special collection, call Waste Management at (763) 783-5423. They will give you preparation instructions and let you know the cost of collection. Prices vary depending on the item or size of the load. Click here for a price list.
Appliances, bulk items and large loads must be placed at the curb or alley: they will not be collected from your home, garage or other locations in your yard.
Changing Your Service Level
If you find that the service level you selected is not working out or your situation changes (new baby arrives, family member moves away, etc.), complete the form on this web site and mail it or fax it to City Hall. Click here for the form. You may also come to City Hall to change your service. City Hall is located at 5005 Minnetonka Blvd. (three blocks east of Highway 100 on Minnetonka Boulevard).
Eight Service Level Options
- Full yard waste collection option includes collection of grass clippings, leaves, twigs and weeds. There is no additional charge for this service.
- No grass clippings option includes collection of leaves, twigs and weeds but not grass clippings. If you select this option, your quarterly garbage collection rate is reduced by $3.
Extra Refuse Stickers
Any bag of garbage that does not fit entirely inside your garbage cart will not be collected unless you place an Extra Refuse sticker on the bag.
Extra Refuse stickers are ONLY for bags of regular household garbage. They may not be used for boxes, bulk items (carpeting, furniture, etc.) or appliances. (Boxes are collected at no charge if you break them down into pieces that are 3'x 3' or smaller. Bundle the pieces with twine or tape and place them next to your recycling bin. ) Bulk items and appliances require arranging for a special pickup and payment of an additional fee.
There is no need to place Extra Refuse stickers on bags of yard waste.
Extra Refuse stickers can be purchased by visiting City Hall (third floor utility counter) or mailing a check to Utility Billing, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416. You can also buy Extra Refuse stickers by calling the credit card line at (952) 924-2509. Each sticker costs $2.25. (If you need to purchase more than two Extra Refuse stickers each month, you could save money by increasing your service level rather than continuing to buy Extra Refuse stickers.)
Garbage carts
Customers selecting the 30-, 60- or 90-gallon service level will have one cart delivered to their home at no charge. Customers selecting the 90+ gallon service level will receive the minimum number of carts needed to reach their service level selection at no charge. If this standard cart assignment won't work for you, you may request a combination of carts (i.e., instead of one 60 gallon cart, you could arrange for two 30-gallon carts). If you choose this option, you will have to pay for the additional cart.
- Additional 30-gallon cart - $40
- Additional 60-gallon cart - $44
- Additional 90-gallon cart - $48
When you move, leave the cart for the new occupants. Garbage carts are the property of the City of St. Louis Park - not the individual resident.
Garbage Collection Day Map
Garbage, recycling and yard waste are collected on the same day each week by the city contractor, Waste Management. If you're new to your neighborhood and don't know your collection day
- ask a neighbor or
- call (763) 783-5423
- Garbage Collection Day Map
Have your garbage, recycling and yard waste out by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. After collection, containers must be removed within 24 hours of being placed at the curb or alley and put back into storage areas.
Garbage Service Sign-up
If you need to sign up for garbage collection service or wish to change your service level, you may fill out the form on this web site and mail it to City Hall or you may come to City Hall. Click here for the form. City Hall is located at 5005 Minnetonka Blvd. (three blocks east of Highway 100 on Minnetonka Boulevard).
Holiday Collection Schedule
There is no collection on these holidays:
Holiday Schedule
- New Year's Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day.
When one of these holidays falls on a weekday, every neighborhood's collection day is postponed by one day for the remainder of that week.
For example, during a week with a Monday holiday, the neighborhood with Monday collection will have Tuesday collection instead. During that same week, the neighborhoods with other collection days should set their items out one day after their usual collection day (i.e. Tuesday collection is moved to Wednesday, Thursday collection is moved to Friday, and Friday collection is moved to Saturday).
If the holiday falls on a Friday, only the Friday collection is moved to Saturday. The next week's collection is not affected by the holiday collection cycle.
If the holiday falls on a weekend, the collection schedule is not affected. Set trash out on your regular collection day.
Illegal Dumping
It is illegal to dump any kind of trash in public open areas, parks or private lots. If you are a Hennepin County Resident, click on the Hennepin County A to Z Guide for proper disposal.
Leaf Collection
Be sure to set bagged leaves at the curb or alley on your collection day no later than the week of November 24 - 29. After that week, yard waste collection for 2008 ends and will not resume until spring of 2009. If you want leaves collected after the week of November 24 - 29, you must call Waste Management for a special collection (763-783-5423) and pay a $15 special collection fee. Please note: if there is a significant snowfall before the week of November 24, yard waste collection will end then.
Do NOT rake leaves into the street. Raking leaves onto the street is a violation of City ordinance. (Rainwater carries leaves from the street down storm sewers and into area lakes and ponds. Once decaying leaves reach St. Louis Park ponds and the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, they harm water quality by releasing phosphorus which results in excess algae growth and scum.)
Payment Options
Instead of mailing your utility payment, you can have your payment automatically deducted from your checking or savings account. Customers who sign up for this option still receive a quarterly statement so they can keep track of their utility bill and withdrawal dates. If you'd like to sign up for the Automatic Payment Plan, fill out the form on this web site and mail it to City Hall or come to City Hall. Click here for the form. City Hall is located at 5005 Minnetonka Blvd. (three blocks east of Highway 100 on Minnetonka Boulevard).
You may also pay by credit card by the secured credit card phone line. (See your bill for details.)
If you don't want to mail in your utility payment, you can put it in the city hall drop box at 5005 Minnetonka Blvd. Payments deposited in the drop box are credited the next business day.
Reminders About Cart and Bin Storage
Garbage cart storage: Once your garbage has been picked up, please put carts away promptly – in your garage, if possible. If you must store your carts outdoors, please be considerate and store them where they are least visible to your neighbors. The city requires that carts are not stored adjacent to the alley or street, and at least four feet from interior lot lines.
Recycling bin storage: The city requires recycling bins be stored indoors. This helps prevent scattering of litter caused by wind or animals.
Collection day: Please set garbage carts and recycling bins at the curb or alley where collectors can easily get to them. Set carts and bins along one of these no-traffic areas by 7 a.m.
- the grassy area of your boulevard between the street and sidewalk
- your driveway
- on your property next to your garage if you have alley collection
- on your property adjacent to the alley
If it has just snowed and your street hasn’t been plowed yet, place your garbage carts and bins far enough away from the curb so they aren't covered by snow from passing snowplows. You may need to shovel an area clear of snow for your carts and bins.
Please do not set carts or bins on the street, alley or sidewalk. They pose a hazard to vehicles and pedestrians as well as hampering snow removal.
Solid Waste City Service for Businesses
Small businesses are invited to participate in the residential solid waste program. Businesses whose waste can be handled with garbage carts and recycling bins, in a weekly collection service, can sign up for city services. You can get as many recycling bins as you need - no extra charge. For more information, click here, or call City Utility Billing at (952) 924-2111.
Garbage and recycling information for larger businesses:
- Allied Waste - www.AlliedWasteTwinCities.com
- Waste Management - www.wmtwincities.com
Source Separated Organics
What is it and how does it work? In a source separated organics program, residents separate the biodegradable garbage from the non-biodegradable garbage (usually non-recyclable plastic). The source separated organics, or SSO, are then collected and composted. To learn more about how Wayzata does it, click here.