Minnesota Statewide Commercial and Metro Recycling Mandates

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.

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.