The City of St. Louis Park does not have an ongoing collection program for holiday/string lights. The city does accept holiday lights at the city's cleanup day events.
Residents can recycle strands of lights year-round by taking them to Hennepin County drop-off facilities in Brooklyn Park and Bloomington or scrap metal recycler like Express Metals, 8094 Excelsior Blvd., Hopkins.
Please note: Never put holiday lights in your curbside recycling cart; they cause significant problems at the recycling facility by becoming tangled in sorting equipment.
Can I collect my recycled materials in paper bags?
Yes. If you need to collect recyclables in bags in your home, you may use paper grocery bags, which are recyclable. Please empty the bag into your recycling cart and toss the bag in as a separate item.
Can I collect my recycled materials in plastic bags?
No. Plastic bags may not be placed in your recycling cart for any reason, including bagging your recyclables. Plastic bags cause significant problems at the sorting facility. Plastic bags are only accepted for recycling at retail drop-off locations like grocery stores and co-ops. Learn more and find plastic bag drop-off locations.
How do I change the size of my recycling cart?
You may switch your cart size by filling out the online recycling cart selection form or by calling utility billing at 952.924.2111. If you need more recycling space, you can also request a second cart at no extra cost. You are allowed one cart change per 12-month period at no charge; additional cart changes will require a fee.
I'm moving, should I take my recycling cart?
No. All recycling, organics and garbage carts are property of the City of St. Louis Park. Please do not take them when you move.
What are educational tags?
The city requires the haulers contracted for residential collection to leave educational tags on recycling carts for improperly prepared recycling.
You may receive an educational tag for any of the following reasons:
Extra recyclables that don’t fit in the cart must be set out in a box or separate reusable container. They cannot be set out loose.
Cardboard boxes that are too large must be flattened (no larger than 3-foot by 3-foot pieces) or placed loose next to cart. Extra cardboard that can't fit into your recycling cart must be bundled together with tape or twine.
Scrap metal can't be collected at the curb and should be brought to a city cleanup event or scrap metal recycler instead.
Unacceptable items like garbage, foam packaging and plastic bags/film must go into your garbage cart.
Unacceptable items like yard waste must be placed out separately for collection in paper lawn/leaf bags, or your own personal collection container.
Unacceptable items like food scraps must be separated for organics collection (if your household participates) or garbage.
Unacceptable items like electronics and household hazardous waste must be separated and delivered to special collection facilities or events.
Improper cart placement in the street, on the sidewalk, on a snowbank or in the alleyway.
Contact the appropriate hauler listed on the educational tag if you receive a tag and have questions.
What are the approximate dimensions of the carts?
Cart dimensions are as follows:
30-gallon cart — 39 inches tall by 20 inches wide by 23 inches deep
60-gallon cart — 41 inches tall by 27 inches wide by 28 inches deep
90-gallon cart — 46 inches tall by 28.5 inches wide by 34 inches deep
What can I do with the old recycling totes?
These containers were replaced with carts in 2013. You are welcome to keep them for use around your home. If you do not have a need for them, we encourage you to offer them to your neighbors. You may also contact public works at 952.924.2562 to arrange drop-off at the Municipal Service Center.
What can I recycle?
See a list of acceptable recycling items or call public works at 952.924.2562. There is also a label on the lid of your blue-lidded cart explaining many of the items that can be recycled.
What happens if my cart is missing or damaged?
If you cart is missing or damaged, call public works at 952.924.2562.
What is the Zero Waste Packaging Ordinance?
The Zero Waste Packaging Ordinance went into effect on Jan. 1, 2017. The goal of the ordinance is to reduce the amount of trash created by food and beverage packaging. Visit Zero Waste Packaging Ordinance page to learn more.
When is my recycling collection day?
Your collection day is the same day as garbage collection, but recycling is collected every-other-week instead of weekly. Find your collection day on the collection schedule page.
Will you take extra recycling if I place it alongside my recycling cart?
Yes. Extra recycling will be collected at no extra charge. Extra recyclables must be in a cardboard box or old recycling bin next to your cart. Paper bags are also allowed for setting out extra recyclables, but a sturdy box or container is preferred. If you have excess cardboard, please cut or fold the cardboard into 3 feet by 3 feet sections, and bundle them with twine, string or tape. Place the bundles next to your recycling cart. If you consistently have extra recycling, call utility billing at 952.924.2111 to request an additional cart.
