Dakota County, MN Trash & Recycling: Bulk Item Disposal (2026)
Key Facts
- Yard waste
- Banned from trash (Sec. 3.01C)
- HHW drop-off
- Recycling Zone, Eagan (free)
- Also banned
- Electronics, appliances, tires
- State law
- Minn. Stat. 115A.931
- Bulky items
- Hauler on-call or licensed facility
Summary
Yard waste, household hazardous waste, electronics, appliances, and tires are banned from Dakota County trash and recycling. Ordinance 110 makes it unlawful to put yard waste in mixed municipal solid waste. Take hazardous waste to The Recycling Zone in Eagan.
It shall be unlawful and a violation of this ordinance for any person to dispose of yard waste in
mixed municipal solid waste.
2. It shall be a violation of this ordinance for any person to place for collection in Dakota County, yard
waste, unless it is: (1) placed in paper bags or other biodegradable containers that will decompose
within the time period that the yard waste placed in the container(s) decomposes; or (2) placed in
a reusable container that the hauler or person supplies to collect the yard waste.
D. Scavenging:
1. Scavenging of recyclable materials is prohibited. It shall be unlawful and a violation of this
ordinance for any person other than employees of the county in the scope of their employment or
the collector or hauler for the property to collect, remove, or dispose of recyclable materials after
said materials have been placed or deposited for collection.
E. DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE. Unless otherwise provided in this ordinance, no person shall, within Dakota
County:
1. Intentionally dispose of any solid waste except at a solid waste facility licensed by the county.
Full Breakdown
Certain materials are banned from the trash and recycling carts. Under Dakota County Ordinance 110, Section 3.01(C), it is unlawful to dispose of yard waste in mixed municipal solid waste; yard waste must go to composting via biodegradable bags or a reusable container. Household hazardous waste (paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries), electronics, major appliances, and tires are also banned from trash and recycling - residents drop these off free at The Recycling Zone in Eagan. Bulky items like furniture and mattresses are handled through your hauler's on-call bulky pickup or by hauling them to a licensed facility. Statewide, Minn. Stat. 115A.931 also prohibits placing yard waste in mixed municipal solid waste headed for disposal.
Violations & Fines
Disposing of yard waste in mixed municipal solid waste is a violation of Ordinance 110 and a misdemeanor (Sec. 2242); the county may issue citations, each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put grass clippings and leaves in the trash?
Where do I take paint, oil, and chemicals?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dakota County
Compare Dakota County to another location·View the Minnesota trash & recycling overview
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