Regional Compliance Hub: Mandatory Multifamily Recycling + HazMat & Electronics — Minneapolis (Hennepin County), MN

This regional hub is designed to help Minneapolis apartment residents and property managers understand mandatory multifamily recycling requirements and identify appropriate current options for household hazardous waste, electronics, bulky items, organics, and other special materials.

Minneapolis law: Minneapolis Code §225.780 directly requires recycling at buildings containing two or more dwelling units, except owners providing collection and recycling through the City's applicable §225.600 service framework. [1]

Hennepin County: Ordinance 13 separately establishes countywide multifamily recycling standards, including adequate collection service, convenient access, resident education, labeling, common-area recycling, self-inspection, and correction of inadequate service. [2] [3]

Minneapolis: Recycling Required at Buildings With 2+ Dwelling Units

Property Owner Requirement: Minneapolis §225.780 requires an owner of a building containing two or more dwelling units, subject to the City's stated collection exception, to provide adequate recycling containers and establish separation and collection of recyclable materials. [1]

The owner must:

• provide adequate containers for recyclable materials;
• store the containers on the premises in a location convenient for deposit and collection;
• provide for separation of recyclables from solid waste;
• provide for delivery of recyclables to a recycling facility through self-hauling or a licensed private collection vendor; and
• provide tenants written information about the recycling program at leasing and at least annually thereafter. [1]

Hennepin County: Recycling Must Be As Accessible As Trash

Hennepin County Ordinance 13 requires responsible parties to ensure that recycling collection containers are as conveniently located for tenants as trash containers. [2]

Recycling containers must be located in an accessible room or area with appropriate aisle space and unobstructed access.

Residents must also be able to access recycling whenever they are able to access trash containers. [2]

Common Areas: Recycling Bin Required Where Trash Is Collected

Hennepin County requires separate recycling bins wherever trash is also collected in common areas, including examples such as:

• laundry rooms;
• mail pickup areas;
• community rooms; and
• similar shared resident spaces. [2]

Property Manager Priority: an enclosure-level recycling dumpster alone may not satisfy the common-area requirement where the property also provides common-area trash bins.

Recycling Labels: Blue Means Recycling

Ordinance 13 requires waste containers to be clearly labeled by waste type. [2]

Important distinction: the ordinance requires blue to be used for mixed-recycling labels; it does not necessarily require the entire recycling dumpster or cart itself to be blue.

Recycling labels must be visible from points of access, identify the waste type, show examples of acceptable materials, and include standardized terminology and preparation instructions where applicable. [2]

Overflow: Hennepin County's 30-Day Correction Requirement

Adequate service is mandatory. Hennepin County requires the responsible party to ensure recycling collection service is adequate for the amount of recyclable material generated onsite. [2]

When recycling containers are overflowing and recyclable materials are consequently being discarded as trash, the responsible party must adjust:

• hauling frequency; or
• collection-container size

within 30 days to accommodate the material being generated. [2]

Recycling Capacity: County Guidance for Property Managers

Hennepin County's current multifamily compliance guidance says recycling service should be equal in capacity to trash service to capture recyclable material generated by residents. [3]

The County currently recommends recycling-container capacity equivalent to at least 0.1 cubic yard per week for each residential unit. [3]

Important: this 0.1-cubic-yard figure is County guidance/recommendation, while the enforceable ordinance standard is that service must be adequate and overflow-related service deficiencies must be corrected.

Resident Education: Move-In + Annual Requirement

Minneapolis and Hennepin County both impose resident-education requirements. [1] [2]

Residents must receive recycling information:

• at the time of leasing / move-in; and
• at least annually thereafter.

Hennepin County requires education to address topics including:

• materials accepted and not accepted;
• preparation instructions;
• recycling-container locations;
• household hazardous-waste options;
• bulky-item disposal options; and
• City or County contact information. [2]

Property Manager Documentation & Self-Inspection

Hennepin County Ordinance 13 requires every responsible party to arrange for and maintain a self-inspection program. [2]

The County may require verification or periodic self-reporting relating to matters such as:

• program description;
• hauling or waste-management contracts;
• collection-service volumes;
• collection frequency;
• required education/training records; and
• other information relevant to ordinance compliance. [2]

Minneapolis Enforcement: 10 Business Days to Correct

Minneapolis §225.800 provides that when Public Works determines that a building owner has failed to meet applicable §225.780 or §225.790 requirements, the City sends notice identifying the deficiency. [4]

The notice provides the owner or operator 10 business days to comply. [4]

Licensed private refuse haulers that fail to meet applicable recycling/reporting requirements are also subject to the City's enforcement process, including potential licensing action.

Hennepin County Enforcement

Hennepin County Ordinance 13 authorizes enforcement tools including warning notices and citations. [2]

A person who fails to comply may be charged with a misdemeanor, and the ordinance states that each day a violation occurs or continues is a separate offense. [2]

The County also reserves remedies including injunctive relief, corrective action, cost recovery, and in specified circumstances certification of corrective costs against real property. [2]

Resident Reporting Option

If a Minneapolis apartment building appears to provide no recycling service, lacks clearly identified recycling containers, or experiences recurring recycling overflow, residents may first contact property management and may also report an apartment recycling issue through Minneapolis 311. [5]

Hennepin County also provides technical assistance to property owners, managers, associations, and residents working to improve multifamily recycling programs. [3]

Hennepin County Recycling Center & Transfer Station — Brooklyn Park

For qualifying household-generated hazardous waste, electronics, batteries, mattresses, and other accepted materials, Hennepin County residents may use the County's Brooklyn Park drop-off facility. [6]

This facility is a resident household resource for many special materials and should not be confused with a multifamily property's normal commercial waste or recycling service.

  • Facility: Hennepin County Recycling Center & Transfer Station — Brooklyn Park
  • Address: 8100 Jefferson Highway, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445 [6]
  • Regular Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM  |  Closed Sunday–Monday [6]
  • Eligibility: Hennepin County households may use the facility for the applicable household programs. Verify residency and material-specific rules before traveling.
  • Electronics: qualifying household televisions, computer monitors, and laptops currently carry a $10-per-item fee. [6]
  • Mattresses / Box Springs: currently $25 per qualifying piece at Brooklyn Park. Material-specific exclusions apply. [7]
  • Ordinary Recycling: qualifying cardboard, glass bottles and jars, metal cans, and other accepted recyclables may be dropped off without charge under the County's current rules. [6]

Property Manager Warning: Household Programs ≠ Commercial Property Disposal

Hennepin County's facility rules expressly treat rental properties, condominium associations, townhouse/neighborhood associations, governmental entities, nonprofits, home businesses, and other income-producing activities as businesses for drop-off eligibility purposes. [6]

The County generally does not accept business waste through its household drop-off programs.

Therefore:

• property-generated hazardous waste should use an appropriate commercial hazardous-waste pathway;
• electronics used for property/business purposes should not be routed through the resident electronics program; and
• mattresses used for business/property-management purposes are not accepted through the County household mattress program. [7]

Limited business recycling exception: Hennepin County currently allows certain ordinary recycling, cardboard, scrap metal, and organics from qualifying small businesses subject to County limits. This limited exception should not be confused with household HHW, electronics, or mattress eligibility.

Minneapolis South Transfer Station — Eligibility Depends on City Service Status

Location: South Transfer Station — 2850 20th Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55407. [8]

Current Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 12:30 PM–7:30 PM and Saturday, 8:30 AM–3:30 PM. [8]

The South Transfer Station is for City of Minneapolis customers. A property must have qualifying City garbage service or an active Minneapolis water/utility account. [8]

Voucher vs. Pay-Per-Use Pass

City Garbage Customers: properties receiving City garbage collection may qualify for cleanup and tire vouchers. A voucher must be requested before arriving. [9]

The City's voucher process includes procedures for businesses and management companies to authorize an employee to transport eligible material from the applicable property. [9]

No City Garbage Service: a Minneapolis property with an active City water/utility account may qualify for a pay-per-use pass. [10]

Pay-per-use loads must consist of residential waste generated at the property. Commercial waste is not accepted under the pay-per-use program. [10]

Bulk Furniture: Do Not Use Hennepin County Household Drop-Off as a General Furniture Dump

Hennepin County's household drop-off facilities do not accept ordinary furniture or household garbage as general drop-off material. [6]

Mattresses and box springs are a specific fee-based exception at Brooklyn Park for qualifying household material.

The Minneapolis South Transfer Station does accept qualifying household garbage and furniture when the property's voucher or pay-per-use requirements are satisfied. [11]

Property Manager Priority: establish a clear bulky-item procedure so residents do not leave sofas, mattresses, furniture, or other bulky material beside dumpsters, in alleys, or in other unauthorized areas.

Where City transfer-station eligibility does not apply, use the property's waste hauler, a lawful reuse/donation option, or another appropriate disposal provider.

Organics: Do Not Confuse Mandatory Recycling With a Universal Multifamily Composting Mandate

Hennepin County currently states that most multifamily properties containing five or more units are not required to provide organics recycling service to residents. [12]

The County's residential organics requirement generally applies to single-family through four-unit dwellings and other residential households where each household has its own collection container, subject to the specific ordinance provisions. [12]

Multifamily properties may voluntarily provide organics recycling, and some properties or facilities can have separate commercial food-waste requirements depending on their operations and waste-generation thresholds.

Minneapolis Organics Drop-Off for Residents

Minneapolis residents without onsite organics service may use participating City organics drop-off sites. [13]

The City's current program requires residents to sign up for a selected drop-off location and follow the access instructions provided for that site.

This resident drop-off option does not convert organics into a universal 5+ unit multifamily property requirement.

National Doorstep: On-Property Porter Service vs. Downstream Recycling Collection

National Doorstep's Standard Scope: National Doorstep operates onsite and upstream from off-site hauling.

Porters move properly prepared resident-setout trash and recyclables from apartment doors to property-designated trash and recycling containers located on the same private property under ownership or authorized management approval.

The property's City service or licensed private downstream collection provider remains responsible for collection from the property's designated containers, off-property transportation, recycling, processing, and disposal.

National Doorstep's onsite porter service should be configured to support—not replace—the recycling service, container access, labeling, capacity, resident education, and downstream collection arrangements required by Minneapolis and Hennepin County.

National Doorstep & Special Materials

National Doorstep can provide residents with current disposal guidance for household electronics, batteries, paint, chemicals, mattresses, and other special materials.

National Doorstep's standard doorstep service does not use Hennepin County's resident-only HHW, electronics, or mattress programs as a commercial property-disposal pathway.

Property-generated maintenance chemicals, business electronics, contractor material, and other commercial waste should follow the appropriate property/commercial disposal pathway.

Minneapolis City Collection Point — Do Not Interfere With Material Already Set Out for City Recycling

Minneapolis separately regulates material placed at designated City collection points. [14]

National Doorstep's standard private-property porter service should remain upstream of the City's designated downstream collection point and should not remove or redirect recyclable material after it has been placed for City collection where City anti-scavenging restrictions apply.

Minneapolis / Hennepin County Property Manager Compliance Checklist

  • ☑ Confirm Minneapolis §225.780 Coverage: Buildings with 2+ dwelling units are subject to the City's recycling requirement unless the stated City-service exception applies.
  • ☑ Maintain Adequate Recycling Service: Right-size container capacity and collection frequency to actual onsite generation.
  • ☑ Correct Overflow: If recycling overflow causes recyclables to be discarded as trash, adjust container size or hauling frequency within 30 days.
  • ☑ Match Accessibility: Recycling containers must be as conveniently located and accessible to residents as trash containers.
  • ☑ Pair Common-Area Bins: Provide a separate recycling bin wherever trash is collected in applicable common areas.
  • ☑ Inspect Labels: Recycling labels must use blue, remain visible and legible, identify the waste stream, and show accepted materials.
  • ☑ Educate at Move-In: Provide required recycling information when leasing / at resident move-in.
  • ☑ Educate Annually: Redistribute current recycling information to residents at least once each year.
  • ☑ Maintain Self-Inspection Records: Keep program, education, collection, and contract documentation sufficient to respond to City/County requests.
  • ☑ Separate Household & Property Waste: Do not route property-management, contractor, maintenance, or business-generated hazardous/electronic waste through household-only County programs.
  • ☑ Establish a Bulk-Item Procedure: Tell residents how furniture, mattresses, appliances, and other bulky material must be handled instead of allowing material to accumulate near dumpsters or alleys.

How We Solve This For You (National Doorstep)

Mandatory recycling requires consistent onsite execution. National Doorstep can support property management by standardizing resident set-out, directing properly prepared recyclables to the property's designated recycling containers, helping reduce contamination, supporting common-area and enclosure operations, and integrating resident education with the property's required recycling program.

Program design should remain consistent with:

• Minneapolis §225.780;
• Hennepin County Ordinance 13;
• the property's licensed downstream collection arrangement;
• required recycling access and labeling;
• required resident education; and
• applicable property-specific City and County requirements.

CTA: Request a Free Compliance Audit for Your Minneapolis Property

Compliance Note: This page provides general operational and property-management information and is not legal advice. Minneapolis Chapter 225, Hennepin County Ordinance 13, City collection eligibility, private-hauler licensing, Hennepin County drop-off eligibility, household/business material restrictions, South Transfer Station voucher/pass requirements, fees, organics requirements, and accepted-material lists can change.

Property owners and managers should verify current requirements with the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, their licensed downstream collection provider, and qualified counsel where appropriate before making a compliance decision.

EEAT / Authoritative Sources: [1] Minneapolis Code Chapter 225 — §§225.780–225.800: 2+ Unit Recycling, Reporting & Enforcement  |  [2] Hennepin County Ordinance 13 — Multifamily Recycling, Access, Labels, Education, Self-Inspection & Enforcement  |  [3] Hennepin County — Apartment & Condo Recycling Requirements / Property Manager Assistance  |  [4] Minneapolis §225.800 — 10-Business-Day Compliance Notice  |  [5] Minneapolis 311 — Report an Apartment Recycling Issue  |  [6] Hennepin County — Drop-Off Facilities: Brooklyn Park Hours, Eligibility, Accepted Materials & Fees  |  [7] Hennepin County — Mattress & Box Spring Rules / Property-Manager Business Exclusion  |  [8] City of Minneapolis — South Transfer Station Eligibility, Address & Current Hours  |  [9] City of Minneapolis — South Transfer Station Cleanup Vouchers  |  [10] City of Minneapolis — Pay-Per-Use Transfer Station Pass  |  [11] City of Minneapolis — South Transfer Station Accepted Items & Fees  |  [12] Hennepin County — Multifamily Organics Requirement / 5+ Unit Distinction  |  [13] City of Minneapolis — Organics Drop-Off Sites  |  [14] Minneapolis Code Chapter 243 — City Recycling Collection / Collection-Point Rules

Regulatory review date: August 8, 2026.
Verify current Minneapolis Chapter 225 amendments, Hennepin County Ordinance 13 requirements, recycling service capacity, labels, resident education, private-hauler arrangements, household/business drop-off eligibility, South Transfer Station fees and authorization, organics requirements, and subsequent program changes before relying on this page for a future compliance decision.

 
National Doorstep - The Valet Trash Service Experts

Regional Compliance Hub: Mandatory Multifamily Recycling, HazMat, Electronics & Organics — St. Paul (Ramsey County), MN

This regional hub is designed to help St. Paul apartment residents and property managers understand mandatory recycling requirements and identify appropriate current options for household hazardous waste, electronics, food scraps, bulky items, and other special materials.

The law: Saint Paul Chapter 357 requires recyclable materials to be separated from mixed municipal solid waste and provides a City-coordinated residential recycling system. Property owners must make recycling available onsite for residents. [1] [2]

5+ unit multifamily properties: the City coordinates recycling collection for apartment and condominium properties, while garbage service generally follows a separate service structure. [2]

St. Paul Multifamily Recycling Is Mandatory

Saint Paul Chapter 357 requires owners, occupants, and other responsible persons to separate designated recyclable materials from mixed municipal solid waste and place those recyclables into the applicable collection system. [1]

Current City guidance confirms that property owners must provide onsite recycling for tenants and that the City coordinates residential recycling service for multifamily properties. [2]

5+ Unit Properties: Recycling and Garbage Use Different Service Structures

Recycling: Saint Paul coordinates recycling collection for residential properties, including apartment and condominium properties containing five or more units. Current City guidance identifies FCC Environmental Services as the City's recycling collection provider for 5+ unit properties. [2]

Garbage: most 5+ unit properties arrange garbage collection through a Saint Paul-licensed private garbage hauler, although qualifying property owners may request to participate in City-coordinated garbage service. [2]

Mixed-use residential/commercial properties generally use private garbage collection.

Property Manager Priority: do not assume the property's garbage contract and recycling collection operate under the same City/provider arrangement.

2026 St. Paul Multifamily Recycling Assessment

Saint Paul's current 2026 recycling assessment is billed through property taxes. [3]

1–4 unit residential properties: $172.75 per unit per year.

5+ unit multifamily properties: $87.69 per residential unit per year. [3]

The assessment supports the City's coordinated recycling program, including collection, carts/containers, administration, education, outreach, and related program functions.

St. Paul Recycling Container Requirements

Chapter 357 contains property-specific recycling-container requirements. [1]

Residential buildings with 11 or fewer units: recyclable materials are generally stored in City-owned or City-approved wheeled carts or other approved containers meeting applicable durability, water-resistance, cover, and rodent-control requirements.

Buildings containing 12 or more units: recycling may use City-owned wheeled carts and/or qualifying City- or hauler-owned dumpsters meeting the applicable Chapter 357 requirements.

Containers must be maintained in a sanitary condition, may not obstruct traffic or violate other applicable laws, and generally must be stored in an appropriate enclosure/location except in connection with scheduled collection.

Multifamily Container Sizing — Current City Guidance

Saint Paul's current multifamily guidance recommends: [2]

5–11 units: generally 2–5 large 96-gallon recycling carts, depending on actual property needs.

12+ units: properties may use carts or dumpsters depending on site configuration and recycling volume.

Important: these are current City service recommendations and should not be represented as a statutory gallon-per-unit formula. Actual service should be adequate for the property and coordinated with the City/provider.

Resident Education & Recycling Support

Saint Paul provides multifamily property managers with recycling posters, educational materials, recycling totes, technical assistance, and service guidance to help residents use the recycling program correctly. [2]

Property management should provide residents with clear, recurring information explaining:

• what materials are accepted;
• where recycling containers are located;
• how recyclables should be prepared;
• how bulky items should be handled; and
• where hazardous or special materials should go.

These education practices support the City's recycling program and contamination reduction; they should not be described as a separate statutory education mandate unless tied to a specific applicable provision.

Important: St. Paul Solid-Waste Hauler Licensing

Saint Paul Chapter 357 regulates businesses engaged in collecting, transporting, transferring, handling, salvaging, processing, or disposing of solid waste, compostables, and recyclables. [1]

Covered collection activity requires the applicable City solid-waste license.

Chapter 357 uses a broad definition of waste collection, and the provisions reviewed for this page do not expressly provide a categorical same-private-property valet-trash exemption.

Accordingly, any doorstep-to-property-container service configuration should be evaluated against the City's current Chapter 357 licensing requirements before implementation.

St. Paul Residential Collection Hours — 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Chapter 357 generally limits licensed collection of mixed municipal solid waste and separate waste streams in residential areas to the period between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM. [1]

National Doorstep / Property Manager Caveat: if Saint Paul determines that an onsite porter activity constitutes regulated collection under Chapter 357, the service schedule must also be configured around the City's applicable collection-hour requirements.

Do not assume an overnight doorstep-collection schedule is automatically permissible without resolving the City's licensing and activity-classification requirements.

St. Paul Chapter 357 Enforcement

Saint Paul may issue written correction orders for Chapter 357 violations. [1]

Unless otherwise classified by an applicable provision, Chapter 357 states that a violation is a misdemeanor.

Because the applicable penalty and enforcement process can depend on the particular violation, property managers should verify the current City enforcement schedule rather than publishing one generic fine amount.

Ramsey County Environmental Center — HazMat, Electronics & Recycling

The Ramsey County Environmental Center provides household hazardous-waste, electronics, small-appliance, recycling, food-scrap, and other accepted-material services. [4]

  • Facility: Ramsey County Environmental Center [4]
  • Address: 1700 Kent Street, Roseville, MN 55113 [4]
  • Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 11:00 AM–6:00 PM  |  Saturday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM  |  Closed Sunday–Monday [4]
  • Accepted Highlights: qualifying household hazardous waste, electronics, small appliances, batteries, scrap metal, household recycling, and food scraps.

Environmental Center Eligibility — Seven Participating Metro Counties

General Environmental Center and electronics services are currently available without charge to eligible residents of:

Ramsey County
Anoka County
Carver County
Dakota County
Hennepin County
Scott County
Washington County [4] [5]

Material-specific rules can differ. For example, the Environmental Center's food-scrap drop-off is currently identified as a Ramsey County resident program. [6]

Electronics Recycling — Free for Eligible Residents

Ramsey County currently accepts a broad range of household electronics at no charge from eligible participating-county residents. [5]

Accepted examples currently include:

• televisions;
• computer monitors;
• desktop and laptop computers;
• phones and tablets;
• printers and scanners;
• gaming systems;
• audio/video equipment; and
• various small appliances and electrical devices.

Minnesota disposal rule: Minnesota law specifically prohibits devices containing cathode-ray tubes (CRTs) from disposal in mixed municipal solid waste. [7]

For other electronics, use the County's electronics-recycling program whenever the item is accepted rather than assuming every electronic device is subject to the identical statutory trash prohibition.

Household Hazardous Waste — Special Handling Required

Ramsey County currently accepts qualifying household hazardous materials such as:

• paint;
• pesticides;
• household cleaners;
• solvents;
• automobile fluids;
• pool chemicals;
• mercury-containing products;
• propane cylinders; and
• other accepted household hazardous materials. [8]

Ramsey County advises that household products displaying words such as caution, warning, danger, or poison and still containing product should not be placed in ordinary trash. [8]

Most empty containers may follow ordinary disposal instructions, subject to material-specific exceptions such as propane cylinders. Verify the County's current item guidance before disposal.

Property Manager Warning — Business Hazardous Waste Is Different

The household hazardous-waste program is intended for household-generated material.

Apartment maintenance chemicals, contractor-generated waste, property-generated solvents, property paint, pool chemicals, and other business-generated hazardous waste should not be presented as ordinary resident household waste.

Ramsey County separately regulates business hazardous-waste generators and requires qualifying businesses to obtain the appropriate hazardous-waste license and use lawful disposal methods. [9]

Ramsey County Very Small Quantity Generator Program

Ramsey County operates a separate Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) collection program for eligible Ramsey County businesses. [10]

The business program is:

• separate from the household drop-off program;
• available to qualifying licensed or in-process business generators and certain approved one-time cleanouts;
• appointment-only; and
• subject to the County's business-program charges and requirements.

Property management should use this or another appropriate commercial hazardous-waste pathway where applicable rather than routing business waste through tenants.

Food Scraps & Organics — Resident Diversion Option

Saint Paul and Ramsey County provide residents with convenient food-scrap recycling options, including free compostable bags and public drop-off locations. [6] [11]

Important compliance distinction: the mandatory Saint Paul recycling requirement should not automatically be interpreted as a universal requirement that every multifamily property provide onsite food-scrap collection.

Residents without onsite food-scrap collection may use available Saint Paul/Ramsey County drop-off sites as a voluntary waste-diversion option.

24/7 Food-Scrap Drop-Off Options

Saint Paul currently identifies multiple food-scrap drop-off sites available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including locations in:

• Como Park;
• Highland Park; and
• Union Park. [11]

Ramsey County also maintains additional food-scrap locations. Verify the current site list, residency rules, and access instructions before traveling.

Bulky Items — 2026 Service Structure

Saint Paul's bulky-item process depends on the property's garbage-service arrangement.

Effective July 1, 2026, qualifying City garbage customers may place eligible bulky items at their normal garbage collection location without scheduling each qualifying item in advance, subject to the City's current program limits. [12]

Current City service provides qualifying accounts with up to 12 bulky items per year per garbage cart. Mattresses and box springs follow a separate recycling procedure. [12]

5+ unit properties using private garbage service: property managers and residents should follow the private hauler's bulky-item procedure rather than assuming the City's coordinated-garbage bulky-item program applies.

Do not leave furniture, mattresses, appliances, or other bulky material beside dumpsters, in alleys, or in unauthorized areas.

Multifamily Recycling Assistance & Reporting

If a St. Paul multifamily property appears to lack onsite recycling, residents should first contact property management and may then contact Saint Paul Public Works for recycling assistance.

Saint Paul Garbage & Recycling: 651-266-6101 [2]

Property owners and managers can also use the City's multifamily recycling resources to start service, request changes, obtain recycling materials, and receive technical assistance.

National Doorstep: On-Property Porter Service vs. Downstream Hauling

National Doorstep's Standard Scope: National Doorstep operates onsite and upstream from off-site hauling.

Porters move properly prepared resident-setout trash and recyclables from apartment doors to property-designated containers located on the same private property under ownership or authorized management approval.

The property's City-coordinated recycling provider or licensed private downstream waste provider remains responsible for container collection, off-property transportation, recycling, processing, and disposal.

National Doorstep — St. Paul Licensing & Service-Hour Caveat

National Doorstep's onsite porter service is operationally different from the downstream truck-hauling service performed by the property's municipal or private waste provider.

However, Saint Paul Chapter 357 uses broad language regulating the collection and handling of solid waste and recyclable material and does not expressly provide a categorical same-property valet-trash exclusion in the provisions reviewed for this page.

Therefore, a proposed door-to-property-container service configuration should be confirmed against current Saint Paul licensing requirements before implementation.

If Saint Paul determines that the onsite porter activity constitutes regulated residential collection under Chapter 357, the operating schedule should also comply with the applicable 6:00 AM–10:00 PM residential collection-hours limitation.

National Doorstep & Special Materials

National Doorstep can provide residents with current City/County disposal guidance for household electronics, batteries, paint, chemicals, food scraps, mattresses, and other special materials.

National Doorstep's standard doorstep program should not use resident household programs as a commercial property-disposal pathway.

Property-generated maintenance chemicals, contractor material, business electronics, commercial paint/solvents, and similar property waste should use the applicable licensed commercial or Ramsey County business-waste pathway.

St. Paul Multifamily Property Manager Checklist

  • ☑ Provide Onsite Recycling: Ensure residents have access to the City's coordinated recycling program.
  • ☑ Confirm 5+ Unit Service Configuration: Distinguish City-coordinated recycling from the property's garbage-hauler arrangement.
  • ☑ Verify Container Type: Confirm carts/dumpsters comply with the Chapter 357 rules applicable to the property's unit count.
  • ☑ Right-Size Recycling Capacity: Use the City's multifamily guidance and actual property volume to prevent recurring overflow and contamination.
  • ☑ Maintain Sanitary Collection Areas: Keep recycling and refuse containers properly located, accessible, serviceable, clean, and compliant with applicable site requirements.
  • ☑ Verify Garbage Hauler: For properties using private garbage service, confirm the provider maintains the applicable Saint Paul license.
  • ☑ Check Doorstep-Service Licensing: Before implementing valet trash, confirm whether the specific onsite porter configuration requires licensing under Chapter 357.
  • ☑ Check Collection Hours: If the onsite service is classified as regulated collection, configure operations within the applicable 6:00 AM–10:00 PM residential collection window.
  • ☑ Educate Residents: Provide clear recycling, contamination, bulky-item, electronics, HHW, and organics guidance using current City/County resources.
  • ☑ Separate Household & Property Waste: Do not route business/property-generated hazardous materials through resident household programs.
  • ☑ Maintain Operational Documentation: Retain hauling agreements, service records, recycling-container information, resident communications, photographs, contamination notices, and corrective-action records.

How We Solve This For You (National Doorstep)

Mandatory recycling requires consistent onsite execution. National Doorstep can support property management by standardizing resident set-out, helping direct properly prepared recyclables into the property's designated recycling containers, supporting contamination controls, improving collection-area operations, and reinforcing resident education.

Program design should remain coordinated with:

• Saint Paul Chapter 357;
• the City's coordinated multifamily recycling program;
• the property's licensed downstream garbage provider where applicable;
• the property's approved recycling-container configuration;
• applicable City collection-hour rules; and
• Ramsey County special-material requirements.

CTA: Request a Free Compliance Audit for Your St. Paul Property

Compliance Note: This page provides general operational and property-management information and is not legal advice. Saint Paul Chapter 357, recycling service, garbage-hauler licensing, collection-hour restrictions, City recycling assessments, Ramsey County Environmental Center eligibility, household/business hazardous-waste requirements, food-scrap programs, electronics acceptance, bulky-item rules, and collection contracts can change.

Property owners and managers should verify current requirements with the City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County, their recycling provider, their licensed garbage provider, and qualified counsel where appropriate before making a compliance decision.

EEAT / Authoritative Sources: [1] City of Saint Paul — Chapter 357, Solid Waste: Recycling, Licensing, Containers & Collection Requirements  |  [2] City of Saint Paul — Multi-Unit Garbage & Recycling Collection  |  [3] City of Saint Paul — 2026 Recycling Assessments & Garbage Rates  |  [4] Ramsey County — Environmental Center: Address, Hours, Services & Eligibility  |  [5] Ramsey County — Electronics Recycling  |  [6] Ramsey County — Food Scraps Drop-Off Sites  |  [7] Minnesota Pollution Control Agency — Electronics Collection & CRT Disposal Rules  |  [8] Ramsey County — Household Hazardous Waste  |  [9] Ramsey County — Business Hazardous Waste Management & Disposal  |  [10] Ramsey County — Very Small Quantity Generator Collection Program  |  [11] City of Saint Paul — Food Scraps / Organics Recycling  |  [12] City of Saint Paul — 2026 Bulky Item Collection

Regulatory review date: August 8, 2026.
Verify current Saint Paul Chapter 357 amendments, multifamily recycling service, garbage-hauler licensing, collection-hour requirements, recycling assessment rates, Ramsey County Environmental Center eligibility, food-scrap rules, electronics requirements, HHW/business-waste procedures, bulky-item service, and property-specific collection arrangements before relying on this page for a future compliance decision.

 

Minneapolis & Saint Paul apartment owners, asset managers, and onsite property teams: the Twin Cities operate under extensive City and County recycling and solid-waste requirements. The regulatory structure differs materially between Hennepin County / Minneapolis and Ramsey County / Saint Paul, so property managers should configure service by the property's actual municipality and county.

In Hennepin County, Ordinance 13 requires mixed-recyclables collection at covered multifamily housing, along with resident education, convenient recycling access, common-area recycling bins, standardized labeling, adequate service, and self-inspection/documentation.

Minneapolis adds its own direct rule: §225.780 applies to buildings containing two or more dwelling units, subject to the City's stated §225.600 service exception.

In Saint Paul, Chapter 357 requires source separation and onsite residential recycling. The City coordinates recycling for all residential properties, including 5+ unit multifamily communities, while most larger multifamily garbage service remains in the licensed private-hauler system.

  • Reduce regulatory risk: maintain adequate recycling capacity, correct labels, convenient access, resident communication, compliant downstream collection, and documented corrective action.
  • City-by-city verification: Hennepin County has 45 incorporated cities, while Ramsey County contains all or part of 19 municipalities. Collection contracts, local ordinances, cleanup programs, zoning, enclosure, and property-maintenance rules can vary.
  • Organics distinction: do not treat mandatory mixed-recycling requirements as a universal multifamily composting mandate. Most Hennepin multifamily properties with 5+ units are not required to provide onsite organics solely because of Ordinance 13's residential organics provisions.
  • Compliance-supporting operations: National Doorstep can help standardize resident set-out, container access, contamination controls, signage, education, and operational records, subject to the licensing and collection-role caveats described below.

At a Glance: Minneapolis & Hennepin County

City of Minneapolis

  • Direct City Threshold: §225.780 applies to buildings containing 2 or more dwelling units, subject to the §225.600 City-service exception.
  • Containers: provide adequate recyclable-material containers in locations convenient for deposit and collection.
  • Collection: provide separation and delivery of recyclables through self-hauling where lawful or a licensed private collection vendor.
  • Education: written recycling information at leasing and at least annually thereafter.
  • City Correction Notice: §225.800 provides 10 business days to correct a noticed deficiency.
  • Current §225.810 Fines: $100 first offense, $200 second, $450 third, and $700 fourth/subsequent offense within a 12-month period.

Hennepin County Ordinance 13

  • Countywide Multifamily Requirement: mixed-recyclables Collection Service must be available at all covered multifamily housing buildings.
  • Hauler Agreement: responsible parties must contract with a Hauler or arrange service through a City contract.
  • Education: written information at leasing and annually.
  • Common Areas: provide a separate recycling bin where trash is collected in resident common areas.
  • Access: recycling collection containers must be as conveniently located and accessible as trash containers.
  • 30-Day Overflow Rule: if overflowing recycling causes recyclables to be discarded as trash, adjust container size or hauling frequency within 30 days.
  • Labels: labels—not necessarily entire containers—use blue for recycling, green for organics, and red/gray/black for trash.
  • Self-Inspection: responsible parties must maintain a self-inspection program and related records.

At a Glance: Saint Paul & Ramsey County

City of Saint Paul

  • Recycling: property owners must provide onsite recycling. The City coordinates recycling for all residential properties.
  • 5+ Unit Service: FCC Environmental currently provides City-coordinated recycling for 5+ unit properties.
  • Garbage: most 5+ unit properties use a Saint Paul-licensed private garbage hauler.
  • City Garbage Opt-In: qualifying 5–11 unit and qualifying mixed-use properties may request to opt into City-coordinated garbage service.
  • 2026 Recycling Assessment: 5+ unit properties currently pay $87.69 per residential unit per year through the property-tax assessment.
  • Licensing Caveat: Chapter 357 broadly regulates collection and handling of solid waste and recyclables.
  • Collection Hours: if an onsite porter activity is classified as regulated residential collection, the applicable licensed-collection window is generally 6:00 AM–10:00 PM.

Ramsey County

  • City Coordination: Ramsey County states that cities coordinate recycling and trash collection; managers should use the municipality as the primary local service contact.
  • County Waste-Hauler License: companies that collect and transport mixed municipal solid waste in Ramsey County must hold the applicable County license.
  • Administrative Civil Penalties: Ramsey County maintains violation-specific administrative citation amounts.
  • $10,000/Day Caveat: the separate maximum civil penalty of up to $10,000 per day is tied specifically to Section 19 solid-waste designation violations and should not be presented as the standard apartment recycling/dumpster fine.
  • BizRecycling: eligible Ramsey County apartment complexes can currently apply for Recycling Grants up to $20,000 per residential apartment complex.
  • Free Resources: BizRecycling also provides eligible apartment properties with technical assistance, labels, posters, and resident-facing recycling resources.

Hennepin County — All 45 Cities: Multifamily Property Manager Information

Hennepin County Ordinance 13 requires each City to maintain and enforce a local ordinance requiring mixed-recyclables collection at covered multifamily housing. The County defines multifamily housing functionally to include apartments, condominiums, townhouses, cooperative housing, and other properties where a property manager or association coordinates collection for residents.

Unless a city-specific standard is stated below, the row should be read as: Ordinance 13 applies countywide, while the City remains the primary local point for service structure, local ordinance enforcement, cleanup programs, zoning, enclosure, and property-maintenance requirements.

On mobile: swipe horizontally. The City column remains fixed.

City Multifamily Regulatory Status Property Manager Priority Local Recycling Contact Official Resource
Bloomington Explicit City multifamily recycling requirements apply in addition to Hennepin Ordinance 13. Confirm local multifamily recycling service, adequate capacity, tenant access, education, and the property's collection arrangement. 952-563-4659 Bloomington Multifamily Recycling
Brooklyn Center Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Local recycling coordination is associated with the Hennepin Recycling Group contact structure. Verify hauler/service agreement, common-area paired bins, label compliance, annual education, container capacity, and enclosure conditions. 763-493-8006 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Brooklyn Park Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm multifamily collection service, sufficient capacity, labels, annual education, cleanup procedures, and any local enclosure requirements. 763-493-8006 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Champlin Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. The City separately maintains garbage, recycling, organics, and yard-waste information. Verify the property's collection configuration and whether ordinary residential curbside rules apply to the specific multifamily account. 763-421-8100 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Chanhassen — Hennepin Portion Hennepin Ordinance 13 applies only to property physically located in the Hennepin County portion of Chanhassen. Verify parcel county first. Then confirm Chanhassen's local service and multifamily collection rules. 952-227-1133 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Corcoran Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm local hauler arrangement, adequate service, paired common-area recycling bins, labeling, annual education, and site rules. 763-420-2288 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Crystal Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply; recycling coordination is through the Hennepin Recycling Group. Maintain County-required capacity, access, labels, education, and documentation; use the local recycling contact for service questions. 763-493-8006 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Dayton — Hennepin Portion Hennepin Ordinance 13 applies to property located within Hennepin County. Verify parcel county, property collection contract, local zoning/enclosure requirements, and applicable County obligations. 763-421-1791 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Deephaven Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm whether the property is served through municipal-cart service or a separate multifamily/private-hauler arrangement. 952-941-5174 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Eden Prairie Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm garbage/recycling provider, capacity, common-area bin placement, labeling, education, and cleanup procedures. 952-949-8330 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Edina Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply; Edina maintains dedicated garbage/recycling coordination. Verify service classification and use City/County resources for labels, education, organics options, and contamination control. 952-826-0463 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Excelsior Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm refuse/recycling service, collection frequency, enclosure/site requirements, and City cleanup procedures. 952-474-5233 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Golden Valley Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm property-specific service, adequate capacity, labeling, annual education, and local enclosure/property-maintenance requirements. 763-593-8030 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Greenfield Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm private/open-market hauling, recycling collection, zoning, enclosure, and cleanup requirements for the property. 763-477-6464 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Greenwood Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Verify local utilities/waste service, collection provider, site layout, and Ordinance 13 multifamily obligations. 952-474-6633 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Hanover — Hennepin Portion Hennepin Ordinance 13 applies only to property physically located in the Hennepin County portion. Verify the parcel county, local collection calendar/service, and property-specific multifamily arrangement. 763-972-3335 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Hopkins Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm service level, container access, labels, resident education, and local enclosure/property-maintenance rules. 952-939-1382 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Independence Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm local collection provider and maintain County-required recycling service, education, labels, accessibility, and records. 763-479-0540 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Long Lake Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Verify local garbage/recycling service and whether the property uses municipal or private multifamily collection. 952-473-6961 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Loretto Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm recycling service, hauler, enclosure/site conditions, annual education, and cleanup procedures. 763-479-4305 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Maple Grove Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm multifamily service classification and maintain County-required recycling access, labeling, capacity, education, and documentation. 763-494-6361 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Maple Plain Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm local garbage/recycling structure and the property's City or private multifamily collection arrangement. 763-479-3335 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Medicine Lake Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Verify water/trash/recycling service and apply County requirements to covered multifamily properties. 763-542-9701 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Medina Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm garbage/recycling provider, collection configuration, enclosure, and property-maintenance requirements. 763-473-4643 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Minneapolis Direct Minneapolis §225.780 requirement for 2+ dwelling-unit buildings, subject to §225.600, plus Hennepin Ordinance 13. Maintain adequate containers, separation, lawful collection, annual education, Ordinance 13 access/labels, and correct City-noticed deficiencies within 10 business days. Current fines: $100 / $200 / $450 / $700. 612-673-2917 Minneapolis Chapter 225
Minnetonka Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Verify the local collection arrangement and maintain County-required capacity, accessibility, labels, annual education, and records. 952-988-8400 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Minnetonka Beach Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm local garbage/recycling service and whether the property uses residential-cart or private multifamily service. 952-941-5174 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Minnetrista Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Verify solid-waste/recycling service, collection contract, site configuration, and cleanup rules. 952-241-2528 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Mound Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm residential/multifamily recycling structure, private-hauler arrangement, County labeling, annual education, and capacity. 952-472-0603 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
New Hope Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply; recycling coordination is through Hennepin Recycling Group. Maintain capacity, access, paired common-area bins, labels, education, and records. 763-493-8006 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Orono Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm garbage/recycling arrangement and local zoning, screening, property-maintenance, and cleanup requirements. 952-249-4600 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Osseo Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm City recycling/garbage service and property-specific multifamily collection configuration. 763-425-2624 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Plymouth Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm private/multifamily collection, labels, resident education, capacity, and cleanup/disposal procedures. 763-509-5906 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Richfield Richfield treats apartments and townhomes with 4 or more units as multifamily. City law requires minimum weekly trash and recycling disposal service. Maintain working weekly service, Hennepin-required labels/access/education, and verify local provider requirements. 612-861-9188 Richfield Apartment Recycling
Robbinsdale Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm recycling service, private-hauler agreement, labels, education, adequate capacity, and bulky-item procedures. 763-531-1211 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Rockford — Hennepin Portion Hennepin Ordinance 13 applies only to property located in Hennepin County. Verify parcel county first, then confirm City collection and the applicable County framework. 763-477-6565 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Rogers Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm City recycling/waste structure, collection agreement, labels, education, and adequate service. 763-428-2253 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
St. Anthony — Hennepin Portion St. Anthony spans Hennepin and Ramsey counties. Hennepin Ordinance 13 applies to its Hennepin County portion. Verify parcel county before applying County-specific requirements; then confirm St. Anthony's municipal collection rules. 612-782-3301 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
St. Bonifacius Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm local garbage/recycling service and maintain mixed-recycling collection, labels, education, capacity, and access. 952-446-1061 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
St. Louis Park Local ordinance expressly requires multifamily recycling. Minimum capacity is 20 gallons per dwelling unit per week, equivalent to one cubic yard per 10 units. Maintain local capacity, recycling close to garbage, move-in education, and annual education by March 31. Properties with 8 units or fewer may be eligible for City curbside service if program conditions are met. 952-924-2562 St. Louis Park Multifamily Recycling
Shorewood Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm recycling arrangement, collection contract, zoning, enclosure, cleanup, and property-maintenance requirements. 952-960-7900 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Spring Park Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm service classification and maintain County-required mixed recycling, labels, access, education, and records. 952-471-9051 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Tonka Bay Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm garbage/recycling service and property-specific multifamily collection structure. 952-474-7994 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Wayzata Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm local collection configuration and maintain County-required access, labels, annual education, adequate capacity, and records. 952-404-5363 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts
Woodland Ordinance 13 multifamily requirements apply. Confirm local provider, collection configuration, site requirements, and all Ordinance 13 multifamily obligations. 952-474-4755 Hennepin City Recycling Contacts

Ramsey County — All 19 Municipalities: Multifamily Property Manager Information

Ramsey County contains all or part of 19 municipalities. Unlike Hennepin Ordinance 13, property managers should not assume one identical multifamily recycling ordinance applies to every Ramsey municipality. Ramsey County's current guidance states that municipalities coordinate trash and recycling collection, so the municipality remains the first local contact for service eligibility, haulers, carts/dumpsters, collection schedules, cleanup events, and local code requirements.

Eligible apartment properties physically located in Ramsey County may also use BizRecycling for technical assistance and current apartment-complex Recycling Grants of up to $20,000, subject to program eligibility and approval.

On mobile: swipe horizontally. The Municipality column remains fixed.

Municipality Waste / Recycling Framework Property Manager Priority Local Contact Official Resource
Arden Hills City coordinates local recycling/trash information; Ramsey County waste-hauler, HHW, disposal, and BizRecycling programs form additional layers. Verify the apartment property's local collection arrangement, private-hauler obligations, cart/dumpster rules, bulky-item procedures, and local screening/property-maintenance requirements. 651-792-7800 Ramsey County — Contact Your City
Blaine — Ramsey Portion Blaine operates an organized residential collection system with Walters Recycling & Refuse and works primarily with Anoka County on the residential program. Verify parcel county. Do not automatically apply Ramsey County resident-program assumptions to a Blaine property. Multifamily/commercial service should be confirmed with the City. 763-717-2637
Solid Waste & Recycling 		Blaine Garbage & Recycling
Falcon Heights City coordinates local trash/recycling service; Ramsey County regional disposal and BizRecycling programs remain available where eligible. Confirm multifamily service, licensed hauler, container location, collection frequency, cleanup-event eligibility, and local site requirements. 651-792-7600 Ramsey County — Contact Your City
Gem Lake Local City trash/recycling requirements apply; Ramsey County provides County-level waste and disposal programs. Verify the property's actual hauler, multifamily account classification, container/enclosure requirements, and disposal procedures. 651-747-2790 Ramsey County — Contact Your City
Lauderdale City coordinates local recycling/garbage information. Confirm apartment collection provider, service level, bulky-item procedure, container access, and any local nuisance/enclosure rules. 651-792-7650 Ramsey County — Contact Your City
Little Canada City coordinates local trash/recycling collection information. Verify multifamily service provider, dumpster/cart configuration, collection frequency, cleanup events, and property-maintenance requirements. 651-766-4029 Ramsey County — Contact Your City
Maplewood City maintains local trash/recycling information and cleanup-event resources; Ramsey County/BizRecycling programs remain additional resources. Confirm multifamily provider, service level, container/enclosure rules, bulk procedures, and whether BizRecycling funding could support improvements. 651-249-2304 Ramsey County — Contact Your City
Mounds View City coordinates local recycling/disposal information. Verify apartment service, licensed hauler, cleanup-event eligibility, container location, and local property requirements. 763-717-4000 Ramsey County — Contact Your City
New Brighton City maintains local recycling and garbage information. Confirm property collection arrangement, recycling availability, bulk procedures, dumpster/enclosure requirements, and applicable licensed-hauler obligations. 651-638-2100 Ramsey County — Contact Your City
North Oaks City maintains separate recycling and trash information. Verify the property's service arrangement, association/private-road access, collection provider, and local container/site restrictions. 651-792-7750 Ramsey County — Contact Your City
North Saint Paul City maintains garbage, recycling, and yard-waste collection information. Confirm apartment eligibility for City service or private multifamily service, container location, collection schedule, and bulk procedures. 651-747-2413 Ramsey County — Contact Your City
Roseville City maintains recycling/trash information and cleanup-event resources. Confirm multifamily service, private-hauler responsibilities, container/enclosure rules, cleanup options, and BizRecycling eligibility. 651-792-7004 Ramsey County — Contact Your City
St. Anthony — Ramsey Portion St. Anthony spans Hennepin and Ramsey counties. Its City garbage/recycling program applies locally, while County-specific requirements depend on parcel location. Verify parcel county. Hennepin Ordinance 13 applies only to the Hennepin portion; Ramsey County programs apply to the Ramsey portion as applicable. 651-782-3301 Ramsey County — Contact Your City
Saint Paul Mandatory onsite residential recycling. City coordinates recycling for all residential properties; 5+ unit recycling is currently provided under the City's FCC contract. Most 5+ properties use a City-licensed private garbage hauler. Qualifying 5–11 unit properties may opt into City garbage service. Confirm Chapter 357 licensing before implementing onsite valet collection. If classified as regulated collection, observe the 6:00 AM–10:00 PM residential collection window. 651-266-6101 Saint Paul Multi-Unit Collection
Shoreview City coordinates local trash/recycling information and cleanup events. Confirm multifamily account classification, provider, container location, collection frequency, bulk procedures, and local screening/property-maintenance rules. 651-490-4650 Ramsey County — Contact Your City
Spring Lake Park — Ramsey Portion City contracts with Walters Recycling & Refuse for curbside recycling and separately licenses garbage haulers. The City spans Ramsey and Anoka counties. Verify the parcel county and the apartment property's exact service arrangement. Current City recycling information states curbside recycling is available to apartment complexes, but centralized multifamily service configuration should still be confirmed. 763-784-6491 Spring Lake Park Recycling
Vadnais Heights City coordinates trash/recycling information and cleanup events. Confirm multifamily provider, collection schedule, container/enclosure requirements, bulky-item procedures, and BizRecycling eligibility. 651-204-6000 Ramsey County — Contact Your City
White Bear Lake — Ramsey Portion City maintains local trash/recycling information and cleanup programs; the City extends beyond Ramsey County. Verify parcel county, property service structure, provider, collection schedule, local enclosure/site rules, and applicable County programs. 651-429-8565 Ramsey County — Contact Your City
White Bear Township Township—not an incorporated city. Included because Ramsey County identifies it as one of the County's 19 municipalities. Confirm Township trash/recycling service, property classification, licensed hauler, collection schedule, and Township site/property-maintenance requirements. 651-747-2764 Ramsey County — Contact Your City

Property Managers: Hennepin County / Minneapolis Compliance Checklist

Task Action / Requirement Property Manager Note
☑ Confirm Municipality & County Verify the actual parcel jurisdiction, especially in cities spanning two counties. Do not rely on mailing address alone.
☑ Confirm Ordinance 13 Coverage Multifamily housing includes apartments, condos, townhouses, cooperatives, and similar housing where management/association coordinates waste collection. The City is responsible for enforcing its local multifamily recycling ordinance.
☑ Maintain Hauler / City Agreement Responsible party must enter into an agreement with a Hauler or arrange service through a City contract. Mixed recyclables must be delivered to a Materials Recovery Facility.
☑ Pair Common-Area Bins Provide a separate recycling bin wherever trash is collected in resident common areas such as mail, laundry, and community rooms. This does not mean every multifamily property must provide organics.
☑ Match Accessibility Centralized recycling containers must be as conveniently located and accessible as trash containers. Maintain unobstructed access.
☑ Correct Overflow Within 30 Days When overflowing recycling causes recyclables to be discarded as trash, increase hauling frequency or container size within 30 days. Document the corrective action.
☑ Maintain Required Labels Use visible, legible, appropriately sized labels. Blue is the required recycling label color. Replace faded, damaged, illegible, or outdated labels.
☑ Educate Residents Provide written information at leasing and at least annually thereafter. Include accepted materials, preparation, container locations, bulky-item/HHW options, and City/County contacts.
☑ Maintain Self-Inspection Program Maintain Ordinance 13 self-inspection records and documentation acceptable to the County. Keep hauling contracts, service volumes/frequencies, training/education, and related records.
☑ Minneapolis 2+ Unit Rule Minneapolis buildings containing 2+ units should separately review §225.780–§225.810. City notice provides 10 business days to correct; current scheduled fines escalate $100 / $200 / $450 / $700.

Property Managers: Saint Paul / Ramsey County Checklist

Task Action / Requirement Property Manager Note
☑ Confirm Municipality Identify the actual City/Township and parcel county. Important for Blaine, St. Anthony, Spring Lake Park, and White Bear Lake.
☑ Confirm Local Service Ramsey County says municipalities coordinate recycling/trash collection. Contact the City for provider, carts, schedules, cleanup events, and multifamily eligibility.
☑ Verify Ramsey County Hauler License Companies collecting and transporting mixed municipal solid waste in Ramsey County must maintain the applicable County license. Confirm downstream provider status.
☑ Saint Paul Recycling Saint Paul properties must maintain onsite recycling. City coordinates recycling for all residential properties. FCC currently services the 5+ unit recycling program.
☑ Saint Paul Garbage Most 5+ unit buildings use licensed private garbage service. Qualifying 5–11 unit properties may request City garbage opt-in.
☑ Check Valet-Service Licensing Saint Paul Chapter 357 broadly regulates collection and handling of waste and recyclables. Confirm the proposed doorstep-to-container configuration with the City before implementation.
☑ Check Service Hours If onsite porter activity is classified as regulated residential collection, comply with the applicable 6:00 AM–10:00 PM collection window. Do not assume a standard midnight endpoint is permissible.
☑ Consider BizRecycling Eligible Ramsey County apartment complexes can currently seek up to $20,000 through the Recycling Grant program. Application approval and eligibility are required.

Current Multifamily Funding & Technical Assistance

Hennepin County

  • Dedicated Apartment/Condo Grant: as of this review, no current funds are available and applications are closed.
  • Still Available: free apartment recycling technical assistance, site support, labels, guides, and educational resources.
  • Green Partners: separate environmental education/funding program with its own eligibility and application rules; do not treat it as the same program as the dedicated multifamily capital grant.

Ramsey County / BizRecycling

  • Apartment Recycling Grant: current BizRecycling Recycling Grant awards may be up to $20,000 per residential apartment complex.
  • Current Application Status: BizRecycling states Recycling Grant applications are accepted anytime, subject to eligibility and available program resources.
  • Free Resources: recycling, organics, and trash labels, apartment resources, in-unit tools, and technical assistance are available to eligible properties.

Minneapolis–Saint Paul Enforcement Snapshot

  • Minneapolis: after the required §225.800 notice/correction period, current §225.810 fines are $100 first offense, $200 second, $450 third, and $700 fourth/subsequent offense within the applicable 12-month period.
  • Hennepin Ordinance 13: County remedies include warnings, citations, potential misdemeanor prosecution, injunctive relief, corrective action, cost recovery, and separate offenses for each day a violation continues.
  • Saint Paul Chapter 357: City may issue correction orders and generally classifies Chapter 357 violations as misdemeanors unless a specific provision establishes another treatment.
  • Ramsey County: County uses violation-specific administrative citations. Current examples include separate amounts for storage, licensing, operating, recyclable-storage, disposal, and related violations.
  • Ramsey $10,000/Day Limit: the maximum civil remedy of up to $10,000 per day is specifically tied to Section 19 solid-waste designation violations. It should not be described as the ordinary apartment recycling or dumpster fine.
  • Documentation: contracts, service records, container maps, resident education, photographs, contamination notices, self-inspection records, and corrective-action documentation can demonstrate active program management, but do not create a legal safe harbor.

National Doorstep — Hennepin County Collection-Role Caveat

National Doorstep's standard operating model is onsite and upstream from off-site hauling: porters move properly prepared resident-setout trash and recyclables from apartment doors to property-designated containers located on the same private property. The property's municipal/private downstream provider remains responsible for off-property transportation, recycling, processing, and disposal.

However, Hennepin County Ordinance 13 defines Collection broadly as aggregation of waste from the place where it is generated through delivery to an appropriate facility.

Section VI further states that it is unlawful for a person other than a Hauler to distribute, collect, remove, or dispose of mixed recyclables after those materials have been placed or deposited for Collection Service.

Because Ordinance 13 does not expressly address a same-private-property doorstep porter configuration, property authorization alone should not be represented as conclusively resolving this requirement. A proposed National Doorstep recycling configuration should be confirmed with Hennepin County Environment and Energy and the applicable City before implementation.

National Doorstep — Saint Paul Licensing & Collection-Hours Caveat

Saint Paul Chapter 357 broadly regulates persons that collect, transport, transfer, handle, compact, process, or otherwise manage solid waste and recyclable materials.

The reviewed provisions do not expressly establish a categorical same-private-property valet-trash exclusion.

Therefore, a National Doorstep door-to-property-container configuration should be confirmed against current Saint Paul licensing requirements before implementation.

If Saint Paul determines that the onsite porter activity constitutes regulated residential collection, the service schedule should also comply with the applicable 6:00 AM–10:00 PM collection-hours limitation.

Need a property-specific Twin Cities recycling and waste review? National Doorstep can evaluate your existing container configuration, resident set-out flow, recycling access, labels, resident education, downstream provider, enclosure operations, service frequency, contamination controls, and compliance documentation.

Request a Free Compliance Audit

Compliance Disclaimer

This page provides general operational and property-management information and is not legal advice. Hennepin County Ordinance 13, Minneapolis Chapter 225, Saint Paul Chapter 357, Ramsey County solid-waste requirements, City collection contracts, waste-hauler licenses, recycling assessments, grant availability, accepted-material lists, zoning, fire, enclosure, nuisance, and property-maintenance requirements can change.

City-specific rows that state Ordinance 13 applies do not mean every Hennepin city uses the same hauler, container system, curbside program, local fine schedule, zoning rule, or multifamily service configuration. Likewise, Ramsey County municipalities should not be assumed to follow Saint Paul's Chapter 357 merely because they are in the same county.

Property owners and managers should verify current requirements with the applicable City, Hennepin County or Ramsey County, the property's downstream provider, and qualified counsel where appropriate before making a compliance decision.

Authoritative Ordinance & Policy Sources

Regulatory review date: August 8, 2026.
Verify current City ordinances, County ordinances, local collection contracts, hauler licensing, grant availability, service rates, parcel jurisdiction, zoning/enclosure rules, and any National Doorstep licensing or collection-role determination before relying on this page for a future compliance decision.

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