The City of St. Louis Park contracts with one hauler for residential collection of garbage, recycling and yard waste. The carts and bins are owned by the city and provided to the homeowners. Collection for garbage, recycling and yard waste occurs on the same day at the same address.

The city is committed to helping residents reduce waste and increase recycling. The garbage carts are part of the pay-as-you-throw garbage program, which means that you pay for the volume of garbage you throw away. Residents are encouraged to use as many recycling bins as they need to minimize the amount of garbage they throw.
Call Public Works at (952) 924-2555 for additional recycling bins at no charge.

• Illegal Dumping
• About your garbage bill

• Payment options
• Eight service level options
• Garbage carts
• Garbage service sign-up
• Extended Absence Credit
• Extra Refuse stickers
• Changing your service level
• When you move
• Appliances, furniture and large loads
• Setting out the trash
• Put away carts and bins promptly
• Cart storage
• Holiday collection schedule
• Hazardous household waste
• Collection day
• Where does our garbage go?
• What you can not throw away

Where does your garbage go?
We've heard that some of our MN garbage ends up in other states like Wisconsin. But in Hennepin County our residential garbage goes to the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC), a waste-to-energy facility. Bulk items collected from our city residents that are not able to be recycled or burned at the HERC are landfilled within Hennepin County. Waste that isn't burned is landfilled in Sherburne or Dakota Counties

At the HERC, the garbage is burned and converted to electricity that is sold to Xcel Energy, Inc. The HERC produces enough electricity to power 25,000 homes each year. 11,000 tons of ferrous metal are recovered and recycled from the garbage each year. For more information about the HERC, go to www.hennepin.us and search HERC.

According to Green Guardian, in MN

• 40% of our garbage is recycled
• 32% is processed at waste-to-energy facilities for electricity (this is what our county does)
• 26% is landfilled in MN and other states
• 2% is specially managed because of its hazardous nature

For more info about this topic, see www.greenguardian.com.

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.

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.

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.)

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.

Hazardous household waste
Don't put batteries, liquid paint, paint thinner, wood preservatives, aerosols, tires, car batteries, used motor oil, household cleaners, anti-freeze, poisons, acids, medical waste, solvents, or flammable or explosive materials in your trash. These can't be included with regular garbage because they pollute groundwater and endanger health.

Bring household batteries to -

• St. Louis Park City Hall
• St. Louis Park Library
• Hennepin County drop off facilities

Bring car batteries to -

• Retail stores that sell car batteries
• Full service gas stations that sell batteries.

Bring no more than five gallons of used motor oil to -

• Service stations. (Pour motor oil into a plastic container, put the cap on, and bring it to the cash register. You may wish to call ahead to verify that the station will accept motor oil.)

Electronics -

• Effective July 1, 2006 electronic products containing a cathode ray tube (CRT), such as TVs and computer monitors, may not be placed in the garbage.

   

  Electronics may contain lead, cadmium or mercury, which are harmful to human health and the environment. Hennepin County residents can take televisions, computers, cell phones, fax machines, personal digital assistants, TVs, VCRs and copiers to either of the Hennepin County Recycling Centers throughout the year.

  Call Hennepin County at: (612) 348-3777 for proper disposal of electronics or A to Z how to get rid of it Guide for households.

Paint -

• Dry paint can be disposed of with your household refuse. Open the can and let it dry out in a well ventilated area. You can bring liquid paint to a Hennepin County Drop-Off Facility; call (612) 348-3777 for information.

Take other hazardous waste to -

• Hennepin County residents may take hazardous waste to one of the drop off facilities.Click here for more information or call 612-348-3777

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.

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.

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.

Eight service level options
30-gallon service

• $42.30 per quarter (includes tax)
• The 30-gallon cart holds two to three tall kitchen bags and is 39" high, 24" wide and 23" deep.

60-gallon service

• $52.88 per quarter (includes tax)
• The 60-gallon cart holds four to?six tall kitchen bags and is 41" high, 27" wide and 28" deep.

90-gallon service

• $63.45 per quarter (includes tax)
• The 90-gallon cart holds five to seven-tall kitchen bags and is 45" high, 29" wide and 33" deep.

90+ (120 - 180-gallon) service

• $74.03 per quarter (includes tax)
• One 90-gallon cart and one other cart to match the service selection.

270-gallon service

• $94.02 per quarter (includes tax)
• Three 90-gallon carts

360-gallon service

• $114.03 per quarter (includes tax)
• Four 90-gallon carts.

450-gallon service

• $134.03 per quarter (includes tax)
• Five 90-gallon carts.

540-gallon service

• $154.04 per quarter (includes tax)
• Six 90-gallon carts.

You must also select one of two yard waste collection 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.

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 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).

Extended Absence Credit
You may be eligible for a reduced garbage rate if you are vacating your property for five or more consecutive weeks. (If you're gone for less than five weeks, there is no discount for not setting out garbage.)

To qualify for the lower rate, you must notify the utility billing office at least two weeks before your home becomes vacant. For more information, call (952) 924-2111. Or, print out an Extended Absence Application Form by clicking here.

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).

Setting out the trash
On your collection day, place garbage carts, recycling bins and yard waste bags at the curb or alley where collectors can easily see and access them. (Unless you are paying for a special location collection, collectors are not allowed to enter fenced yards or garages.) Set garbage carts, recycling bins and yard waste bags out by 7 a.m. (Each material is collected by a separate truck so the time each material is collected will vary.) Do NOT set carts or bins in the street, sidewalk or driving area of alleys.

If it has just snowed and your street hasn't been plowed yet, place your garbage carts and recycling bins far enough away from the curb so they aren't covered by snow from passing snowplows.

Weekly trash collection is only for items resulting from normal housekeeping. (Instructions for disposing of hazardous waste, appliances, construction debris and large loads are listed further down in this section.)

Do not mix yard waste, garbage and recyclables together in the same container. Each of these should be in a separate container because they go to different destinations.

Because your bill is related to the size of your garbage cart, only bags of garbage placed inside the cart will be collected without additional charge. Garbage placed in other containers will not be collected. If you have bags that don't fit inside your garbage cart, place an "Extra Refuse" sticker on the bag and set this bag next to the cart.

If you have bulk items such as furniture that do not fit into the cart, schedule a special pickup with Waste Management by calling 763-783-5423.

When you move
When you move into a home, your garbage and yard waste collection service remains at the same level as the previous owner. To switch to a different service level, you must contact the Utility Billing office at (952) 924-2111.

Carts are the property of the City of St. Louis Park: when you move, leave the cart for the new resident.

What you can't throw away
Do not throw away hazardous waste - it can pollute groundwater and endanger health.

• Batteries

• Pesticides and herbicides
• Liquid paint * and paint thinner
• Wood preservatives
• Aerosols
• Cell phones

* Paint cans with dried paint (lids removed) can be placed in a trash bag and placed in your trash cart.

Please save hazardous waste until Hennepin County's local drop-off event or take it to a Hennepin County Recycling Center. For more information, call (612) 348-3777.

Put away carts and bins promptly
Please be a good neighbor and put away empty carts and bins no later than 7 p.m. on your collection day. City ordinance allows garbage carts and recycling bins to be at the curb for no more than 24 hours.

Carts should be stored in your garage if possible. If you must store carts outdoors, they must be stored where they are least visible to your neighbors.

Cart storage
Garbage carts must be stored inside a building or outside on the property, except when placed out for collection on the collection day. If stored outside, the carts must be located behind the building line adjacent to any street or alley right-of-way line. Carts must also be placed four (4) feet or more from interior lot lines. This also means that carts should not be stored behind garages adjacent to the alley so that the cart is on or next to the property line, click here to view map details

Recyclable materials & bins must be stored inside a dwelling or structure, except when placed out for pickup that day.

When you set out your garbage cart and recycling bin, please place them on your boulevard behind the curb or on the driveway. Do not put the cart or bin on the sidewalk or in the driving area of the alley or street. Carts in the street hamper efficient snowplowing and leave carts susceptible to damage from passing vehicles. Carts on the sidewalk get in the way of pedestrians and snow removal efforts.

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.

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