Whether it has been recycled or is just sitting in a landfill, nearly every piece of plastic ever created still exists in some form. The fraction of plastic that does get recycled is shockingly low, sitting at just about 30%. The vast majority that isn't being recycled is accumulating in landfills or ending up as litter in roadways and water systems. Our society is making a shift towards disposable and/or single-use plastics and, according the the National Geographic, if current trends continue we can expect about 12 billion metric tons of plastic to end up in landfills. It can be extremely hard to give up plastic entirely, but small shifts in our behavior can make a huge difference in reducing our plastic pollution.

1. Reusable Bags 

According to the EPA, Americans use over 380 billion plastic bags and wraps every year. Although there are plastic bag drop-offs for recycling, most bags end up in landfills. By switching to reusable bags for shopping and produce items, you could dramatically lower your need for plastic. 

2. Reusable Water Bottle

Americans use approximately 50 billion water bottles every year yet the recycling rate for plastic is only 23%. By bringing a reusable water bottle when you're at work, school, or on-the-go, you will reduce your need to buy a single-use plastic water bottle. Not only will you be saving natural resources but you will also save a lot of money over time. 

3. Say No to Straws 

500 million plastic drinking straws are used and disposed of every day. Many of these straws end up littering our road and waterways making them one of the most treacherous pollutants because of the harmful effects they have on marine animals. Next time you're out to eat or at a coffee shop, remember to ask for your drink without a straw. And, if you're with a group, encourage them to follow your lead! Change often starts with one person.

4. Avoid the Microplastics 

Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic (about the size of a sesame seed) that are found in many cosmetic and toiletry items including face wash and toothpaste. These small pieces of plastic get flushed down sinks and drains and end up in our water systems including oceans, lakes an rivers. Unfortunately, plastic does not break down or dissolve in water so it continues to pose a threat for marine life and birds. Studies are still being done to see what sort of long-term affects this might have on animal and human life, but what we do know is that avoiding it completely is a better option. 

5. Pack In Or Pack Out Lunches

If you normally eat out for lunch, try packing your own lunch in a reusable container instead. Not only will you save some money, but you'll also avoid any single use plastics that your food might otherwise come in. In addition, if you do go out to eat for lunch, consider bringing your own Tupperware to the restaurant for leftovers instead of using the disposable to-go containers. 

6. Shop in Bulk Bins 

Many items such as nuts, fruits and beans are available in bulk bins which can be found at most grocery stores. By purchasing items from the bulk bins, you can avoid the single-use plastic that most items are wrapped in, and you can get the amount you need to avoid wasting food. Keep in mind that purchasing from bulk bins is not the same as buying in bulk because even though buying in bulk can be a better option to reduce excessive packaging, you'll find that you end up with more food than you need and it can be wasteful. 

7. Buy Loose and Fresh 

To go along with the tip above, buying fruits and veggies loose versus packaged will help lower your use of plastic. In addition, the small plastic bags that are available at grocery stores to put your food in is not at all necessary so if you're looking to use less plastic, you should skip them entirely. If you still prefer to bag your loose fruits and veggies, consider buying reusable produce bags to bring to the store with you. You can even find some that might increase the shelf life of certain foods! 

8. Reusables at Parties 

Parties and get-togethers are one of the most common places to see waste from disposable Styrofoam© plates and plastic silverware to one-time use decorations. Next time you host, consider using reusable and washable plates, cups and silverware instead of disposable. Not only will you reduce your waste, but it'll help make your party feel more personal and homey. In addition, if you do want to buy decorations, consider buying supplies that can be reused for years such as a universal "happy birthday" banner or cake topper.  

9. Make Your Own Cleaners

In the U.S. we generate 1.6 million tons of harmful household chemicals with the average home accumulating as much as 300 pounds of household hazardous waste. By making your own cleaner in a reusable bottle, you'll avoid the single use plastic bottles that most cleaners come in and you'll greatly decrease harmful chemicals in your home. For recipes on DIY green cleaners, visit our green cleaner guide. 

10. Get it Fixed 

It's often easier for us to throw away common items when they break, but did you know you can get many of them fixed for free? In fact, every month Dakota County offers a free fix-it clinic where you can get expert help fixing common household items. Many residents have visited these clinics to fix old vacuum cleaners, broken fans, ripped clothing and so much more. To find an upcoming clinic near you, visit the Dakota County websiteand search "fix it."

The New Year is a time for resolutions that are made to bring about positive changes in your life. This year, make a difference in your community and start off the New Year right by adding some easy green resolutions to your list. Here are five ideas to help you get started:  

1. Reduce your food waste: 40% of food is currently being wasted in the United States. That means wasted resources, time, energy, and money. Reducing your food waste might be as easy as making smaller trips to the store with a clear list in mind, or just storing your food properly to make it last as long as possible. For more tips, visit our Reduce Your Food Waste Guide. 
   
   
2. Reuse with ease: Why buy something new when you can fix something you have for free? This year, resolve to attend a Dakota County Fix-It Clinic when you have something in need of repair. Clinics are offered every month in cities around Dakota County and you can bring up to five small household items such as torn clothing, broken vacuum cleaners, and more. 
   
   
3. Recycle everything you can: This year, recycle more by using the hauler specific recycling guides found here. While you’re at it, make sure to recycle the things that can’t go in your curbside bin such as electronics by taking them to the Recycling Zone!
   
   
4. Ditch the plastic: Approximately 50% of the plastic we use, we use once then throw away. Make 2018 the year you make a conscious effort to bring a reusable bag shopping and a reusable water bottle whenever possible. 
   
   
5. Recycle your organics: Organic material such as food scraps and food-soiled paper don't have to end up in the landfill. Instead turn them into a rich soil  amendment by recycling them. Dakota County now has two free drop sites for your household organics. You can also resolve to backyard compost this year too! Find out how using our Backyard Composting Guide here. 

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:

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 

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.  

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ranks indoor air pollution among the top environmental dangers. Most indoor air pollution is the result of cleaning products, whose safety, and even labeling, aren’t regulated or assessed by the government. According to the EPA, of the more than 75,000 registered chemicals, only a fraction have been tested for human health effects. Improper use and disposal of these chemicals can also have a negative effect on our health and the environment. In the US, we generate 1.6 million tons of harmful household chemicals, and the average home can accumulate as much as 300 pounds of household hazardous waste. 

Green Cleaning Tips 

Look for the Safer Choice label: The EPA has recently unveiled a new label for denoting safe cleaning products. Cleaning products with the safer choice label help consumers identify products with safer chemical ingredients. There are currently more than 2,000 products that qualify for the safer choice label.    A full list of products can be found here. 

Do your research: The Environmental Working Group has a guide to healthy cleaning that ranks more than 2,500 cleaning products based on  the toxicity of its ingredients. A link to the guide can be found here.

Read Labels:  Reading labels can tell you a lot about the product and its possible health effects. Watch for signal words like caution, warning, danger, poison, flammable, corrosive, & toxic. 

Use Cleaners Safely: Do not mix cleaners, especially ones with chlorine or bleach. Always use cleaners for their intended purpose and never forget test a formula first. Wear gloves while using cleaners to prevent chemicals from touching your skin. If you do make your own cleaners, remember to label the containers clearly. 

Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste Properly: Keep household hazardous waste out of drains, storm sewers, trash containers, and off of the ground. Bring old and unwanted cleaners to The Recycling Zone to be properly disposed of for free. 

Go Reusable: Remember to stock your cleaning kit with reusable and washable cleaning supplies such as rags, sponges, and spray bottles. An old cut up shirt works well too! Choose cellulose sponges, which are not anti-bacterial. 

Go Homemade: Another option to cut down on harmful chemicals is to consider making your own cleaning solutions and implementing alternative methods for common household needs. Check out the tips and recipes below to reduce household chemicals and potentially save money too.

All Purpose Cleaners:

Kitchen Cleaning:

Bathroom Cleaning:

 Other:

Did you know that the volume of trash generally increases by 25% between Thanksgiving and New Years? Help reduce that waste with some easy reducing and recycling holiday tips. 

As we approach the holiday season, it's important to remember that some of our neighbors don't have access to the warm shelter or feasts that others are used to. But there ways and opportunities to bring someone else the comfort we feel when sitting down to a warm meal this season. The easiest option: If you happen to buy extra ingredients, bring a portion to the food shelf! If you don't have food to donate, there are opportunities to offer other resources as well. Pack CSA boxes, deliver meals, or provide monthly donations to a local housing organization. When we share our spread, we spread some joy. 

Check out any of these Dakota County locations where you can bring your donations:

• 360 Community Food Shelves - Apple Valley, Burnsville, Farmington, Rosemount

• Hastings Family Services

• Hmong American Farmers Association – Hastings

• The Open Door Food Pantry - Eagan and Apple Valley

• Neighbors, Inc. – South St. Paul

The MN Energy Challenge is run by an area nonprofit, Center for Energy and Environment.  The Challenge is a pledge to reduce energy use and save money in your household.  You can learn about the actions that you take, and then choose the ones that work for you.  The web site also features an easy-to-use action guide, an "ask the experts" section, and information on utility rebate programs.  Registration is free for all services.  Most important, however, is the Challenge itself.  Over 26,000 Minnesota households have already pledged to save money and energy!

Find more information on the MN Energy Challenge web site!

A few tips from the MN Energy Challenge:

Biggest bang for your buck:

• Sign up for your utility company's air conditioning load control program.
• Insulate your attic.
• Wash clothes in cold water.
• Insulate walls.
• Replace 20+ year old furnaces.

Fun for families:

• Ditch the car and walk or bike to get exercise and save energy.

Lighting:

• Flip off lights and unplug appliances when not in use.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with CFL's.
• Use holiday LED lights for your winter celebrations.

Dakota County has opened a new organics drop-site at Holland Lake Trailhead in Lebanon Hills. The drop site opened on November 3rd, 2017 and all Dakota County residents are welcome to sign up and participate in the program for free. For more information about the organics recycling program, go to www.co.dakota.mn.us and search organics drop off. 

How to Participate

1. Sign Up

Call 952-891-7557 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

You'll receive a welcome kit with a free container label, compostable bags and details on what can and cannot go in the organics bin. You'll also receive the access code to enter the locked drop-off location. Anyone is welcome to participate, but the enclosure requires a code to prevent non-organic contamination. 

2. Start Collecting Organic Waste                                                        

You can use any container to collect organics such as:     

• A small step container
• A clean and empty ice cream bucket, coffee container, or other type of tub
• A specially designed countertop organics container which can be purchased at local stores or online

Line your container with a paper bag or certified compostable bags which are provided to residents for free at the drop-site. If you decide to purchase your own bags, make sure they have the BPIor Cedar Grove Logo on the bag.          

When the bag is full, securely tie it closed and bring it to a drop-site near you. There are two locations in Dakota County Thompson County Park (360 Butler Ave, West St. Paul) or Lebanon Hills (opening November 3rd, Holland Lake Trailhead, 1100 Cliff Rd, Eagan).

Accepted items:

• All food, food scraps, peels, pits, etc.
• Coffee grounds, filters and teabags
• Paper towels, napkins and tissues   
• Paper towel and toilet paper rolls
• Paper egg cartons
• Certified compostable products: Items with the BPI or Cedar Grove certified compostable logo on the product or packaging
• Hair and fur
• Popsicle sticks and toothpicks
• Houseplant trimmings and flowers

Not accepted

• Yard waste
• Plastic bags
• Pet waste, litter, or bedding
• Fast food wrappers
• Frozen food boxes
• Microwave popcorn bags
• Paper plates, bowls and cups without BPI or Cedar Grove certification
• Single-serve coffee pods (i.e., K-Cups® )

Organics collected at these sites will be brought to a local organics recycling facility (The Mulch Store Specialized Environmental Technologies site) where it will be turned into compost; a nutrient-rich soil additive. Because the organics collected is brought to a commercial facility, meat, dairy, and bones are accepted among other food scrapes and napkins. Compost is beneficial because it improves soil quality, reduces erosion, and decreases the need for chemical fertilizers. Questions about this program? Visit the Dakota County webpage or call 952-891-7557. 

Join the Plastic Free July Challenge! 

By now you are probably aware of the extremely hazardous effects single-use plastics have on our environment and ecosystems once they are disposed of. Help ease this growing problem by limiting your single use plastic by joining the Plastic Free July Challenge.

The Plastic Free July Challenge was started in 2011 by an Australian independent not-for-profit foundation. Their mission is to build a global movement that dramatically reduces plastic use and improves recycling. It aims to raise awareness of your growing plastic waste problem and support behavior change by avoiding single-use (disposable) plastic. This is everything from straws, plastic water bottles, grocery bags, and coffee cups (yes, even coffee cups contain plastic). 

Join the over 2 million people across 159 different countries who are choosing to be part of the Plastic Free July Challenge! You can find more information and tips on how to go plastic free and register to be part of the challenge below.

Plastic Free July

Lawn and garden watering make up nearly 40% of total household water use during the summer. A rain barrel collects water and stores it for when you need it most -- during periods of drought -- to water plants, wash your car, or to top a swimming pool. It provides an ample supply of free "soft water" to homeowners, containing no chlorine, lime or calcium making it ideal for gardens, flower pots, and car and window washing.

Why use a Rain Barrel?

• Save Water. A rain barrel will save most homeowners about 1,300 gallons of water during the peak summer months.
• Save Money and Energy. Saving water not only helps protect the environment, it saves you money and energy (decreased demand for treated tap water).
• Divert Water from Water Bodies.Diverting water from storm drains decreases the impact of runoff to streams and lakes.

Ready-made rain barrels come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  They can be purchased from a number of companies including hardware stores and garden supply stores.

The decisions we make every day can affect our natural resources and have a major impact on the planet. One way to lessen our impact is to consider the entire lifespan of products, from beginning to the end. Thankfully, Dakota Valley Recycling and Dakota County makes it easy to find proper disposal of our products during the end of life stage. View our decluttering guidefor tips and tricks on getting started in your own home. 

Recycling Guide

The Recycling Guide is an easy-to-use guide to help you learn where to recycle, compost or dispose of materials. It offers useful information, options and tips to reduce the amount of waste you generate, reuse goods to get the most out of them and recycle items when they are no longer useful. Call ahead to verify the location, materials collected and hours of operation.

About this directory

This information was compiled by Dakota County. For additional recyclers in your area, search online. Any recycler wishing to be added to this list may contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Disclaimer

The information provided in this directory is compiled as a service to residents. A listing in this directory does not imply an endorsement of approval by Dakota County. All businesses listed in the directory are responsible for complying with all applicable local, state and federal laws pertaining to recycling, waste disposal and environmental protection.

According the National Resource Defense Council, the average American tosses 25% of the food they buy. That's like going to the grocery store, buying four bags of food, and leaving one in the parking lot. Food lost to the landfill also means wasted water to grow the food, wasted fuel to transport the food, wasted labor, wasted time, and wasted money.  

Fortunately, there’s steps you can take to save the food.

Check out these great resources to help you shop smarter, meal prep, freeze efficiently, and understand food labels: 

• Dive into Waste Food Guide by Dakota Valley Recycling
• Shop smarter meal planning sheet by Eureka Recycling
• Food storage directory by Savethefood.com
• Food waste tracking sheet by Eureka Recycling
• Know the difference between "use-by" and "sell-by." Spoiler: they don't really mean much unless it's infant formula
• Learn about the different temperature zones in the fridge to store perishables most effectively 
• Check out this Ten Tips for Making Dinner, Not Waste bye Eureka Recycling
• Check out the Save the Food campaign for more tips and tricks including how to decipher dates, recipes using leftovers, how to freeze efficiently, and how to waste less- even with kids.
• Check out Dakota County's tips and tricks on what you can do in your own home to prevent food waste and to see the campaign that's going on in your own community! 

View The Extraordinary Life and Times of a Strawberry brought to you by the National Ad Council

NEW! Print off these educational coloring pages and games! 

Vermicomposting is the process of using worms to turn kitchen waste into a black, earthy-smelling, nutrient-rich humus.

You Need 5 Basic Ingredients to Start Vermicomposting:

1. A Container. Worm boxes can be purchased or made. Plastic storage containers are convenient and come in a variety of sizes. These containers are easily transported.  Never snap the lid shut tight. The lid should lie loosely on the bin.
2. Bedding.Use shredded corrugated cardboard, shredded paper like newspaper, or commercial worm bedding which is available in sporting goods stores, but it is also more expensive.
3. Water. Place the dry, shredded bedding in a large container and add water until it covers the bedding.  Squeeze the water out from the bedding as much as possible. Place the bedding in the bin and fluff. Your bedding needs to remain moist.  Mist if necessary.
4. Worms. The worms used in vermicomposting are called redworms (Eisenia foetida).  You can order them through lawn and garden catalogs.  Keep the temperature between 55 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Non-Fatty Kitchen Scraps. Add vegetable & fruit waste, coffee grounds, egg shells, and tea bags.  Start slowly.  Gradually increase the amount of food.  Pull back a small amount of bedding and dump in the scraps. Cover the scraps with bedding.

The worms will digest the kitchen scraps and bedding faster than any other compost method, passing through the worms' bodies and becoming "castings." In about 3-4 months, the worms will have digested nearly all the garbage and bedding.  The bin will be filled with a rich, black natural fertilizer. Worm castings contain five times more nitrogen, seven times more phosphorus and 11 times more potassium than soil. Remove the castings from time to time.

For more information go to www.wormlady.com.

REDUCE:

• Food Waste
  • Reducing Food Waste
• Household Hazardous Waste
• Sidewalk Salt Use
• Hazardous Household Cleaners
• Household Hazardous Waste
• Holiday Waste
• Unwanted Mail
• School Supplies
• How to Declutter Your Home
  • Decluttering: How and Why
• Tips to reduce plastic use

REUSE:

• Where to Reduce and Reuse in Dakota County
• How to Fix and Reuse Items
• Clothing
• Furniture
  • Mattresses
• Rain Water
• Food Waste for Backyard Composting
• Non-Fatty Food Waste for Vermicomposting

RECYCLE:

• Dive Into Recycling
• Aluminum Foil and Trays
• Appliances
• Automotive
• Electronics
• Yard Waste
• Backyard Compost
• Organics
• Furniture
  • Mattresses
• Pharmaceuticals
• Hazardous Waste
• Light Bulbs
• Batteries
  • How to Recycle Batteries
• Home Renovation Items
  • Carpet
  • Paint
• Plastic Bags
• Shredded Paper
• Fishing Line

◊Upcoming Events◊

• Paper Shredding Events
• Apple Valley Clean Up Day
• Burnsville Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Day
• Halloween Swap
• Pumpkin Composting Event
• Entertainment Swap
• Shoe Recycling Event
• Holiday Lights Recycling