Trash & Recycling in Washington County, MN (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Washington County, Minnesota.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Only a hauler holding a valid Washington County Operating License, backed by a Base License from its home county, may collect or transport household garbage generated in Washington County. Residents who haul their own trash in a passenger-plated vehicle are exempt from that license, but pickup still has to be nuisance-free under Ordinance No. 202.
Washington County Trash Hauler Licensing Rules
Some RestrictionsWashington County Solid Waste Management Ordinance No. 202, §§ 9.0, 9.2
This section shall apply to all Persons seeking a license to collect and transport Mixed Municipal Solid Waste (MMSW)... Persons hauling the Solid Waste they Generate in vehicles bearing passenger license plates are exempt from the licensing requirements of this section; but, Solid Waste shall be collected and transported in a nuisance free manner consistent with the intent of this section. ......
Recycling Requirements
Washington County licenses Recycling Facilities under MPCA rule 7035.2845 and bars trash haulers from charging more for pickup because a resident recycles. Ordinance No. 202 folds recycling into the same Solid Waste Management framework that licenses garbage haulers and compost sites, rather than a separate curbside recycling code.
Washington County Recycling Facility and Fee Rules
Some RestrictionsWashington County Solid Waste Management Ordinance No. 202, §§ 9.0, 13.0
j. Charges for Recycling. The Licensee shall not impose a greater charge on residents who recycle than on residents who do not recycle. ... 13.0 Recycling Facilities. State Rules Adopted. The design, construction, and operation of Recycling Facilities shall be in accordance with MPCA Solid Waste Management Rules Part 7035.2845 which are hereby adopted by reference as part of this Ordinance. Rep...
Illegal Dumping
Washington County makes it a violation to dispose of solid waste anywhere except a licensed site or facility, and separately bans operating an unlicensed open dump. Under Ordinance No. 202, a violator faces a misdemeanor charge, with each day the dumping or open dump continues counted as a separate offense.
Washington County Illegal Dumping Penalties
Significant RestrictionsWashington County Solid Waste Management Ordinance No. 202, §§ 17.0, 20.0
It shall be a violation of this Ordinance for any Person to Dispose of Solid Waste within Washington County at any place except at a Site or Facility authorized by this Ordinance. ... It shall be a violation of this Ordinance for any Person to operate an Open Dump. ... Any Person within the County who violates this Ordinance ... shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shal...
Yard Waste Collection
Washington County channels yard waste into licensed Yard Waste Compost Facilities rather than a curbside pickup schedule. Ordinance No. 202 defines yard waste as garden waste, leaves, lawn cuttings, weeds, and shrub and brush waste, and lets a Yard Waste Compost Facility accept it only in compostable bags or in bulk.
Washington County Yard Waste Composting Rules
Some RestrictionsWashington County Solid Waste Management Ordinance No. 202, § 2.0 (Definitions) and § 12.0 (Yard Waste and Tree Waste Composting Facilities)
Yard Waste means garden wastes, leaves, lawn cuttings, weeds, Shrub and brush waste. ... Yard Waste composting Facilities are subject to the following operational requirements, in addition to those contained in 7035.2836 Subp. 3... a. Yard Waste. Only Yard Waste, or similar vegetative waste, in Compostable Bags or in bulk may be accepted at a Yard Waste Compost Facility. b. The Compost Facility...
Collection Schedule
Washington County requires every bit of acceptable garbage generated in the county, whether picked up by a licensed hauler or hauled by the resident, to go to the county's Designated Facility, the Ramsey/Washington County Recycling & Energy Center. Under Ordinance No. 202, no one can send that trash to a different landfill or transfer station without county authorization.
Washington County Mandatory Waste Delivery Rule
Significant RestrictionsWashington County Solid Waste Management Ordinance No. 202, § 18.1 (Designation)
All Acceptable Waste Generated within the County must be delivered to the Designated Facility and may not be delivered to any other Solid Waste Facility except as provided in subsections 18.4, 18.7, 18.9, and 18.10, herein. The County may from time to time designate additional Solid Waste Facilities. This provision is binding on all Persons in the County, including without limitation, political...
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