Recycle Half!

Welcome to the Great Hennepin County Recycle Half Challenge! Residents, businesses and organizations in the county only recycle 38 percent of the more than one million tons of waste we produce every year. That's enough garbage to fill Target Field 11 times! 

We can do more - we can recycle half or more of all the waste we produce. Check out the links below to learn more about how you can reduce, reuse and recycle even more at home, work and play. 

Reduce

• Tips for Reducing Waste - 10 steps you can take to reduce waste, including getting your name off junk mail lists, avoiding excess packaging, greening your celebrations and using reusables.
• Reducing and recycling at your business - Implementing waste reduction and recycling programs can reduce your business's impact on the environment and shows customers that your business cares about the community.

Reuse

• Tips for reusing your household goods - We all have items we no longer want. Before you throw the item out, consider these simple steps to keep that item out of the garbage can.
• Choose to Reuse - Shopping reuse gets you great stuff at great prices. It's easy on the environment too! Looking for donation and reuse shopping options? Check out our new Choose to Reuse Directory. 

Recycle

• Recycling at home - Many recycling programs have started accepting additional recyclable materials. Learn what can be recycled curbside.
• Recycling at apartment buildings, condos and townhomes - Property owners and associations are required to provide residents with the opportunity to recycle. Resources and assistance are available for property owners and residents looking to become recycling advocates.
• Recycling at events - A lot of waste can be generated at events of any size. Free technical assistance, event recycling planning resources and signage are available.
• Drop-off facilities for household hazardous waste and recycling - Hennepin County has two year-round drop-off facilities where residents can get rid of recycling, electronics, appliances and household hazardous wastes.
• A to Z How-to-Get-Rid-of-It-Guide - Not sure how to get rid of something? Find recycling and disposal options for a wide variety of household items in our searchable, online guide.

Compost

• Organics recycling - In organics recycling programs, food waste and food-soiled paper products are recycled into valuable compost. Learn about organics recycling programs for residents, businesses and schools.
• Backyard composting - Learn how to recycle your food scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost that can be used in your garden or on your lawn.

Educate others

• Hennepin County Master Recyclers/Composters - Join fellow waste reduction enthusiasts and become an advocate for the three Rs in your community.
• Green Partners environmental education program - A wide variety of free environmental education resources and project support and funding is available to organizations in Hennepin County.
• Environmental education toolkits - Get background information and activity ideas to educate others on reducing waste, recycling, toxicity reduction and proper disposal of household hazardous waste, energy conservation and improving water quality.