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Stearns County, MN Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing ordinance
Stearns County Ordinance No. 431, Section 7.9
Who it binds
Licensed solid waste haulers, not households
Core duty
No mixing sorted recyclables with trash
Max fine
$1,000 per violation
Max jail
90 days
Related duty
Monthly recyclables weight report to county

Summary

Under the county's Solid Waste Ordinance No. 431, any hauler licensed to collect solid waste in Stearns County must keep source-separated recyclables out of the trash stream and cannot handle them in a way that hurts their reuse or resale value.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Stearns County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

7.9 Source Separated Recyclables Collection and Transportation. Any person or operation involved in the collection and or transportation of solid waste for hire in Stearns County shall not mix recyclable materials sorted at the source of the recyclables generation with solid waste or handle recyclable materials in any way that reduces the reusability or marketability of the recyclable materials.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Ordinance No. 4) and attaches operating rules to that license. 4 to report monthly to the county on the weight and type of recyclables collected versus solid waste. 3 set companion equipment standards, requiring collection vehicles and containers to be covered, leak-proof and cleanable, and loaded so contents cannot spill in transit. 9 to keep separated material out of the landfill stream.

Violations & Fines

Section 12.1 of Ordinance No. 431 makes any violation, including mishandling of source-separated recyclables under Section 7.9, a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to 90 days imprisonment, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. The Department may also pursue civil action and license revocation under Section 7.11, and the County can recover enforcement costs and attorney fees under Section 12.4.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my trash hauler dump my recycling in with the garbage?
No. Section 7.9 of Ordinance No. 431 prohibits any licensed hauler from mixing recyclables you have sorted at the source with solid waste, or handling them in a way that lowers their reuse or resale value.
Are Stearns County haulers required to offer recycling?
Yes. Section 7.5.2 makes it a condition of the county collection license that the applicant certify recycling is offered or made available to customers, on top of the anti-mixing duty in Section 7.9.
What happens if a hauler violates the recycling handling rule?
Section 12.1 treats it as a misdemeanor carrying up to a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail, and the county can also pursue civil enforcement and revoke the hauler's license under Section 7.11.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Stearns County

Collection ScheduleSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSignificant RestrictionsPickup Rules & SchedulesSome RestrictionsDumpster RulesSome RestrictionsIllegal DumpingSignificant RestrictionsRecycling RequirementsSome RestrictionsYard Waste CollectionHeavy RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome Restrictions

All Stearns County rules

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