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Minnesota Statewide Rule

Minnesota Statewide Commercial and Metro Recycling Mandates

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across Minnesota (2026)

Key Facts

Commercial mandate
Minn. Stat. 115A.151
Yard waste ban
Statewide since 1992
Metro goal
75% recycling/composting
Electronics
Banned from disposal
Threshold
4+ cubic yards weekly
Last verified: August 20, 2026Source: Minnesota Revisor of Statutes

Summary

Minnesota law requires commercial buildings in the seven-county metro and large cities to provide recycling, and bans certain materials from landfills statewide. Counties must implement recycling programs meeting state-set diversion goals.

115A.151 RECYCLING REQUIREMENTS; PUBLIC ENTITIES; COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS; SPORTS FACILITIES. (a) A public entity, the owner of a sports facility, and an owner of a commercial building shall: (1) ensure that facilities under its control, from which mixed municipal solid waste is collected, also collect at least three recyclable materials, such as, but not limited to, paper, glass, plastic, and metal; and (2) transfer all recyclable materials collected to a recycler. (b) For the purposes of this section: (1) "public entity" means the state, an office, agency, or institution of the state, the Metropolitan Council, a metropolitan agency, the Metropolitan Mosquito Control Commission, the legislature, the courts, a county, a statutory or home rule charter city, a town, a school district, a special taxing district, or any entity that receives an appropriation from the state for a capital improvement project after August 1, 2002; (2) "metropolitan agency" and "Metropolitan Council" have the meanings given them in section 473.121 ; (3) "Metropolitan Mosquito Control Commission" means the commission created in section 473.702 ; (4) "commercial building" means a building that: (i) is located in a metropolitan county, as defined in section 473.121 ; (ii) contains a business classified in sectors 42 to 81 under the North American Industrial Classification System; and (iii) contracts for four cubic yards or more per week of solid waste collection;

Source: Minnesota Revisor of StatutesView official code

Full Breakdown

Under Minn. Stat. 115A.151, commercial buildings generating four cubic yards or more of solid waste weekly in the seven-county Twin Cities metro and in cities of 5,000+ outside the metro must ensure recycling collection of at least three materials. Minn. Stat. 115A.95-115A.97 ban specific items from mixed solid waste statewide, including yard waste, lead-acid batteries, used motor oil, mercury thermostats, electronics under the Electronics Recycling Act, and major appliances. Counties under Minn. Stat. 115A.552 must offer recycling opportunities to all residents. The metro counties have a 75% recycling and composting goal under Minn. Stat. 115A.551. These mandates apply regardless of city policy.

Violations & Penalties

Disposing banned materials in solid waste is subject to MPCA enforcement with penalties up to $10,000 per violation. Commercial buildings failing recycling requirements face MPCA administrative orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I throw yard waste in my regular trash?
No. Minn. Stat. 115A.931 bans yard waste from mixed solid waste disposal statewide. Grass clippings, leaves, and brush must be composted, mulched, or collected separately for organic processing.
Must my office building offer recycling?
Yes, if generating 4+ cubic yards weekly and located in the metro or in a city over 5,000. Minn. Stat. 115A.151 requires at least three recyclable materials to be collected separately for recycling.
Where do I dispose of old electronics?
Electronics including TVs and computers are banned from regular trash under Minnesota's Electronics Recycling Act (Minn. Stat. 115A.1310-1330). Use county collection events, retailer take-back, or certified electronics recyclers.

Sources

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