How to Recycle (Almost) Everything

   The PPA Environmental Committee has put together a list of items you may not know where to recycle.  It is designed for Prospect Park residents, so whenever possible, we've included a link or website address to the nearest local location.

Can’t find what you’re looking for?  Have a suggestion or an addition to the list?  Please email environment@prospectparkmpls.org with the subject: Recycling

 

Air conditioner – working

Southeast Seniors is looking for air conditioners that can be given to seniors with limited income.    Please email Betsy Snyder at betsy@seseniors.org for more information.

(Note: for non-working air conditioners, please see ‘Appliances’)

Aluminum foil

Has to be about 95 percent clean and should be balled up — recycle foil balls 2” in diameter or more.

Appliances

Hennepin County ( https://www.hennepin.us/green-disposal-guide/items/appliances ) accepts microwaves, water coolers, sump pumps, garbage disposals, and dehumidifiers. $15/each.

Batteries

Hennepin County ( https://www.hennepin.us/green-disposal-guide/items/batteries  )  accepts batteries at either their Bloomington or Brooklyn Park location.  Welna Hardware also accepts batteries (and Christmas lights) and is within biking distance.

Books

Fiction, non-fiction and children's books can be dropped off at the Luxton Park Book Exchange that is housed at the Luxton Park Recreational building.  Textbooks and other types of books can be taken to Boneshaker Bookstore  (https://www.boneshakerbooks.com/ ) on Franklin.

Bottle caps

If it’s a plastic bottle, keep the cap on. The bottle and the cap are different types of plastic, but in processing they’re ground up, and, since they have different buoyancies, naturally separate in water. If it’s a metal cap on a glass bottle, like a beer bottle cap, you can recycle it, but trap it in a soup can by pinching the lid closed (not a beer can, wrong material). Same goes for, say, Snapple caps. Metal lids on glass jars, like those used for pickles or spaghetti sauce, can be recycled on their own if they’re 3” in diameter or more. If it’s a plastic cap on a glass bottle, like you find on hot sauce, put in something bigger that’s #2 plastic, like a laundry detergent container.

Carpeting

New or unused carpet can be donated to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore (http://restore.tchabitat.org/donate) .

 

Used carpet that is clean and dry can be recycled at

Clothes (see Rags if no longer wearable)

Clean clothes can be brought to the Goodwill.

Containers

Containers - City of Minneapolis 

(http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/solid-waste/recycling/Food-Beverage-Container-Recycling )

Electronics

Computers, laptops, phones, TVs and Christmas lights can all be recycled through Techdump, (www.techdump.org ) located in St. Paul.  Some items they accept for free, while there is a charge for others.  Be sure to check out their Residential Drop Off Pricing Guide and their website for hours and locations.

Eyeglasses

Drop off your old pair with the PPA Environment Committee.  We have a table at most neighborhood events (Ice Cream Social, Annual Neighborhood Meeting, etc.)  Feel free to email environment@prospectparkmpls.org to confirm when we will have a table.  Otherwise, you can bring them to the

MN Lions Vision Foundation.

 

Lightbulbs

Incandescent, halogen and LED lights may be put in the garbage.

Fluorescent lights must be recycled because they contain mercury.  Hardware stores, such as Welna Hardware on Franklin, will take regular sized unbroken bulbs for free.  There is a small fee (25 cents) for fluorescent tubes.

NOTE:  If the fluorescent lights are broken, they should be thrown away.

Metal

Hennepin County (https://www.hennepin.us/green-disposal-guide/scrap-metal-recyclers) provides a list of where to bring metal. 

Organics

Homeowners - Organics - Hennepin County

Renters – you can sign up to drop off your organics through the city of Minneapolis - http://www.minneapolismn.gov/solid-waste/organics/drop-off-sites . As of November 2019, the closest drop off site is Van Cleve Park.  The PPA Environmental Committee is looking into getting a drop off site in Prospect Park.

Plastic bags

Certain stores like Fresh Thyme or Hampden Park Coop accept plastic bags for recycling.  Make sure they are clean, dry and empty.  

Styrofoam (Rigid blocks)

Drop off  - The closest drop off location for rigid block Styrofoam (the kind that packs electronic equipment) is in Coon Rapids

Mail In – If you don’t want to drive to Coon Rapids, there is also the option to mail your Styrofoam to a recycling center.  Average shipping fees range from $1.50-$9.00 based on the total packaging weight and volume. Since expanded polystyrene is extremely light weight (98% air) it can be economically shipped to a regional location.

Considering that the average car gets approximately 15-20 miles per gallon (mpg) at $3.50 to $4.00 per gallon, the postage cost to return EPS for recycling is often an economical, environmentally friendly choice.

Details can be found at EPS Packaging  (www.epspackaging.org ).

Tea bag pouches

If the pouch is made of multiple materials (some have metallic or plastic on the inside), it’s not recyclable. If it’s paper, put it inside something bigger, like an envelope, so it doesn’t get lost in the sorting process.

Rags

Bundle in bag clearly marked "Rags".  They can be brought to the Goodwill.