Recycling takes our used products and makes them into raw materials for new products. More and more products on the shelves today are being made partially or entirely out of recycled materials. Recycling:
- Reduces the amount of trash in the landfill.
- Uses less energy than it does to make a new product from scratch.
- Conserves natural resources.
- Creates jobs. For every 10,000 tons of recycled items, 32.6 jobs are supported compared to only 6.46 jobs supported when the same amount of waste is landfilled.
Common household items made from recycled materials include newspapers, paper towels, aluminum and steel cans, plastic and glass food and beverage containers, and plastic laundry detergent bottles. Recycled materials can also be found in items such as roadway asphalt (recycled glass, shingles, concrete debris) or in carpeting, park benches, and pedestrian bridges (recycled plastic).
What and how to recycle
Many recycling haulers have started accepting additional recycling materials in curbside recycling programs. Materials being added include paper cartons and more types of plastics.
Haulers collect different types of materials for recycling, so call your hauler for detailed information on what is accepted. The list below is your guide to what types of materials are collected by recycling haulers in Dakota County or for a more detailed list, see the 
Recycling at Your Curb Guide.
Accepted
- Metal food and beverage cans (food and beverage)
- Glass food and beverage bottles and jars
- Plastic bottles and jugs (soda, milk, water, shampoo, laundry soap, etc.).
- Mail, office and school papers
- NEW! Milk cartons, juice boxes, soup and broth cartons
- Magazines and catalogs
- Newspapers and inserts
- Phone books
- Shredded paper in closed paper bags
- Cardboard boxes
- Cereal boxes, cracker boxes, pasta boxes, cake mix boxes
- Shoe boxes, gift boxes and electronics boxes
- Boxes from toothpaste, medications and other toiletries
Preparation: Rinse containers. It’s okay to leave plastic caps and lids on. Remove lids on glass and metal bottles and jars.
Not Accepted
- Paper soiled with food
- Paper plates and cups
- Paper napkins or towels
- Gift wrap
- Plastic wrap
- Styrofoam cups, plates and packaging
- Motor oil bottles and other containers that held hazardous products
- Drinking glasses, dishes, and vases
- Window glass or mirrors
Maybe Accepted
Not all recycling haulers accept items in the list below. Contact your recycling hauler for detailed acceptance information.
- Pizza boxes
- Plastic cups and tubs, produce and deli containers
- Plastic bags (retail bags)
- Refrigerated or frozen food boxes
- Scrap metal and aluminum foil
- Empty paint cans and aerosol cans
Recycling in Apartments, Condos or Townhomes
Most multi-family residential properties have a recycling program provided by the building’s waste hauler. If this is the case, ask your manager for instructions on the recycling program. If your residence management does not provide on-site recycling, write a letter to them asking for this service to be provided for residents. For more information, call your city’s recycling coordinator.