Hennepin County, MN Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Ordinance 13, § II(1)(A)
- Covered households
- Single-family through fourplex
- Requirement
- City ordinance mandating curbside recycling
- Enforcement
- County Board, § II(5)(B)
Summary
Hennepin County requires every city to adopt an ordinance guaranteeing curbside recycling pickup for single-family homes through fourplexes with their own trash carts.
Cities shall have an ordinance to ensure the provision of Curbside Collection of Mixed Recyclables to residential households that are single family through fourplex and other residential households where each household has its own Collection Container for Trash. It is the responsibility of each City to enforce its ordinance relating to the Curbside Collection of Mixed Recyclables within the boundaries of the City.
B. Materials Accepted for Recycling
A City's Curbside Collection program must accept a list of Mixed Recyclables as selected by the County in consultation with haulers, local Material Recovery Facilities, and end markets. The County will update the list of materials as needed, distribute the list to City recycling coordinators, and post the list on the County's website.
5 Subsection 2: Organic Material Collection requirements
A. Curbside Collection of Organic Material
By January 1, 2022, Cities shall provide the opportunity to participate in Curbside Collection of Organic Material to residential households that are single family through fourplex and other residential households where each household has its own Collection Container for Mixed Recyclables. Curbside Collection of Organic Material must be provided year round on a weekly basis. A City may adjust Collection Service frequency with prior approval by the Department.
Full Breakdown
Ordinance 13, Section II, Subsection 1(A), directs each city in Hennepin County to have an ordinance ensuring Curbside Collection of Mixed Recyclables for residential households from single-family through fourplex, plus any other household with its own trash Collection Container. Cities enforce their own recycling ordinances within their borders, while the county sets which materials must be accepted, developed with haulers and local recovery facilities.
Violations & Fines
A city without a qualifying curbside recycling ordinance is out of compliance with Ordinance 13 and subject to county enforcement and cost recovery under Section II, Subsection 5(B).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hennepin County require curbside recycling?
Who decides what materials are accepted for recycling?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hennepin County
Compare Hennepin County to another location·View the Minnesota trash & recycling overview
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