Recycling | City of Hastings

Everyone in Dakota County must recycle a designated list of recyclables. All waste haulers in the county must accept these recyclables:

Paper: newspaper, inserts, magazines, catalogs, mail and office paper
Cardboard: corrugated cardboard and paperboard (e.g. cracker boxes)
Cartons: milk, juice, soup, broth, wine cartons and juice boxes
Metal cans: aluminum, tin and steel food and beverage cans
Glass bottles and jars: food and beverage bottles and jars
Plastic bottles, containers and jugs: containers numbered 1, 2 or 5; soda, juice and water bottles; milk and juice jugs; margarine, cottage cheese, cream cheese and other tubs and lids' laundry detergent bottles and jugs; clear berry and produce containers

Follow these rules to make sure your recycling gets recycled:

Do not use plastic bags. Place recyclables loose in your cart or in a paper bag.
Empty and dry bottles, jars and containers. They don't have to be perfect- just free of most residue.
Leave caps on containers.
Empty and flatten boxes.
Check the Recycling Guide if you are not sure about an item.

Not safe: Do not place in curbside Recycling Bins:

Batteries
Black plastic
Ceramic dishware
Clothing and textiles**
Food
Household hazardous waste/hazardous waste
Paper plates, cups and napkins
Diapers
Pharmaceuticals and medicine/medical waste
Plastic bags and film
Metal cylinders (such as propane tanks)
Shredded paper*
Styrofoam
Tanglers (such as chains, extension cords, hoses and string lights)
Trash
Yard waste and Christmas trees
All items banned from being placed in the trash or recycling in state or local law, including: electronics, major appliances, sharps (lancets, needles and syringes), tires

*Shredded paper is allowed in carts and dumpsters when delivered to the Tennis Sanitation recycling facility. Bag and staple shredded paper and write "shredded paper" on the bag.

**Linens and textiles: place only reusable shoes and clothing in sealed bag and label "Linens". Place the bag on top of your recycling cart.

The Recycling Zone

The Recycling Zone is a place to drop off household waste that can't go into your garbage. Visit The Recycling Zone website to see our hours and materials accepted.

Business and Multiunit Recycling

Check our Business and Multiunit Recycling and Waste page for requirements and resources.

Event Recycling

Dakota County and the City of Hastings have adopted recycling requirements for events. All events within the City must follow these rules:

Recycle items on the county’s Designated List of Recyclables.
Place a recycling bin within 10 feet of every trash bin.
Make sure that recycling bins are big enough or emptied often enough to avoid overflow.
Use county-approved labels for both trash and recycling bins.
Labels must be easy to read and show what goes in each bin.
Train all staff, vendors, and contractors once a year.
Train new hires or tenants within 30 days.

Recycle right at your next event using Dakota County’s free event recycling resources. You can also checkout free portable event containers by using the Container Request Form.

School Recycling

Dakota County has recycling requirements for public and private schools. In addition, certain schools have requirements for organics collection. Grants are available to help meet these requirements. Request free recycling education performances, field trips, container labels and activity guides through the Dakota County School Recycling Program.

You are also welcome to use the free article templates, handouts, activity kits and more to educate about waste. Check out Dakota County's educational recycling resources for everyone.