Duluth, MN Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Segregated items
- Yard waste, motor oil, batteries, tires, hazardous waste
- Recyclables rule
- Must use separate container, monthly pickup
- Public-space exception
- Public buildings need not sort public's trash
- Collector remedy
- May refuse noncompliant container, § 24-17.1(d)
- Repeat-violation penalty
- Billed under § 31-8 after written notice
- Reporting deadline
- Collectors report penalties by June 1 yearly
Summary
Duluth Legislative Code § 24-17.1 bars mixing yard waste, motor oil, batteries, tires, medical or hazardous waste, and ordinary recyclables into the solid waste containers a licensed collector empties. Recyclables must go in separate containers for monthly pickup, and a collector who finds banned items can refuse the container and, after a warning, bill a penalty.
(a) No person shall place any yard waste, motor oil, motor vehicle batteries, tires, hospital waste, pathological waste, infectious waste, medical sharps, hazardous substances, household hazardous wastes or unacceptable waste with solid waste that is placed in containers for collection by a licensed collector. These items shall be disposed of by the owner or occupant of the property in accordance with this Chapter or WLSSD regulations; (b) No person shall place any recyclable materials with solid waste that is placed in containers for collection by a licensed collector. Recyclable materials shall be placed in separate containers for monthly collection by licensed collectors or brought to recycling facilities for processing. ... If, after notice is given to the customer, the same type of improper articles are found in solid waste containers at that address on future collections, the licensed collector may impose a penalty, set in accordance with Section 31-8 of this Code, on any container that he or she empties into his or her vehicle which contains the type of prohibited article mentioned in the former notice.
Full Breakdown
" Subsection (c) makes finding a prohibited item in a container "prima facie evidence" the occupant put it there, and subsection (d) gives the licensed collector real leverage: the collector can simply refuse to empty a noncompliant container, must leave a written notice describing the violation, and, if the same violation recurs after that notice, may add a penalty "set in accordance with Section 31-8 of this Code" to the customer's regular bill. Collectors report the penalties they charge to the solid waste compliance officer "on or before June 1 each year," giving the city an annual check on how the rule is being applied.
Violations & Fines
A licensed collector who finds a prohibited item, or unsorted recyclables, in a solid waste container may refuse to empty it and must leave a written violation notice under § 24-17.1(d). If the same problem recurs after that notice, the collector may add a penalty set under § 31-8 directly to the customer's regular billing, and must report all such penalties to the solid waste compliance officer by June 1 each year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put motor oil or batteries in my trash can in Duluth?
What happens if I mix recyclables with my trash?
Do public buildings have to sort recyclables from public trash cans?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Duluth
Compare Duluth to another location·View the Minnesota trash & recycling overview
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