Ultimate Guide to Waste Management & Recycling in the North Twin Cities Metro

Homes and businesses produce waste—there’s no getting around that. Learning how to manage that waste by adopting responsible practices and working with a quality waste management company is key to keeping your property clean and protecting the environment. In this ultimate guide to waste management, we’ll break down how you, as a home or business owner, can manage your trash and recycling responsibly. We’ll also provide a guide to recyclable items, explain common waste service options, and provide tips for choosing a reliable trash and recycling pickup company in the north Twin Cities metro.

The Waste Management Hierarchy

The first step to managing your waste responsibly is understanding the waste management hierarchy. This term refers to the idea that some waste management strategies are more environmentally preferred than others. The hierarchy ranks these strategies from most to least preferred. Details can vary, but it generally follows this structure:

Reduce

The most preferred and effective way of managing waste responsibly is by reducing waste at its source. For homeowners, this can be as simple as buying fewer products, especially single-use items like plastic silverware. Try to use reusable items whenever you can. Businesses can also examine their waste stream to see if they’re using more material than needed for packaging and other processes.

Reuse

Sometimes combined with reducing, reusing items is also a highly preferred way to manage waste. Many disposable items can be reused or repurposed in creative ways. Donating your unwanted items and buying secondhand also reduces waste.

Recycle

After reducing and reusing, you should try to recycle as many items as possible. Many items can be placed into curbside recycling containers, while others should be dropped off at stores or other collection sites. We’ll provide further details on this below. Recycling items allows them to be processed and remade into new products, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing the need for new landfills.

Dispose

After exhausting the above options, the final waste management strategy is disposal. Generally, this means putting your items into a trash container and sending them to a landfill. Modern landfills are strictly regulated to minimize environmental impacts.

What Can You Recycle?

Recycling is vital to responsible waste management, but keeping track of what is and isn’t recyclable can be confusing. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can usually put in a curbside recycling container.

Recycle these items:

• Paper
• Cardboard boxes
• Glass bottles and jars
• Metal food and beverage cans
• Plastic bottles, jugs, cups, and containers
• Cartons (milk, juice, soup, etc.)

Do not recycle these items:



• Plastic bags
• Black plastics
• Foil pouches and wrappers
• Plastic straws and utensils
• Cords, hoses, and other tanglers
• Batteries
• Medical sharps
• Hazardous waste

You can drop off plastic bags at many grocery stores and other retailers for specialized recycling. You should also bring batteries, medical sharps, and hazardous waste to special collection sites. Use these official directories from Anoka , Sherburne , and Chisago counties to find collection sites near you.

Residential Waste Management Options

As a homeowner, you have several options for disposing of or recycling your waste. Here are some of the most common services that waste management companies offer to homeowners:

Trash and Recycling Pickup

Regular curbside services ensure your waste doesn’t pile up. At LePage, we collect trash on a weekly basis and recycling on a bi-weekly basis. We offer 35-, 64-, and 96-gallon trash containers to best suit your household’s needs.

Yard Waste Pickup

Mowing the lawn, raking leaves, and collecting sticks can produce a lot of organic debris. At LePage, we offer 96-gallon yard waste containers so you can responsibly dispose of your yard waste.

Bulk Waste Disposal

Most waste management companies don’t accept big and bulky items in their regular curbside containers. At LePage, we will pick up these items for you separately, for an additional fee. You can also drop off large items at your local transfer station.

Roll-Off Dumpster Rentals

Roll-off dumpsters are perfect for disposing of waste from home renovations, large cleanups, and other projects. At LePage, current residential customers receive discounted rates on our roll-off rentals.

Commercial Waste Management Options

Responsible waste management should be a priority for every business. Here are some of the services that businesses should look for:

Commercial Waste and Recycling Pickup

Commercial dumpsters are the best way to dispose of or recycle your business’s waste. At LePage, we offer a range of dumpster sizes, locking dumpsters, and flexible pickup schedules.

Bulk Waste Pickup

Large items like furniture, appliances, equipment, and construction debris won’t fit in a regular commercial dumpster. But at LePage, you can schedule a special pickup for big and bulky items.

Roll-Off Dumpster Rentals

Roll-off dumpsters are especially useful for construction and remodeling companies, but any business can benefit from a roll-off for waste-intensive projects.

How to Choose a Trash Pickup Service

With so many waste management companies in the north Twin Cities metro, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. Here are some questions to ask when evaluating a waste company:

Are they reliable?

Your service provider should pick up your trash and recycling on a regular basis, without unnecessary delays or interruptions. Check their online reviews to see what current customers are saying.

How is their customer service?

Look for a company that does its job well, prevents problems by providing excellent service, and immediately addresses any needs you may have.

Where are they located?

In contrast with national chains, locally owned and operated companies are invested in their community’s health and cleanliness and care about their neighbors.

How long have they been around?

Long-serving companies have had years to perfect their services and build good reputations in their communities, whereas newer companies have yet to prove themselves.

Do they offer a fair price?

Compare the quote they give you to those of other companies, and make sure to take cancelation fees and other costs into account.

Rely on LePage for All Your Waste Management Needs

Whether you need residential or commercial waste management services in the north Twin Cities metro, LePage can help. Located in Bethel, Minnesota, we have been serving the community with quality trash and recycling pickup services for more than 25 years. And with our Best Service and Best Price guarantees, you’re sure to be satisfied with our offerings. We are also happy to answer any questions you might have about recycling or waste disposal.

Visit our website for more information or to sign up for services.