Recycling System

Due to a recent contract change with the recycling processor, only plastics #1, #2 and #5 are accepted. 

This varies slightly from the recycle cart lid. Please contact Public Works with questions.


Using the Recycling System

Each user household in the city is provided with a blue recycling cart imprinted with "City of St. Cloud." If you move, please leave the recycling cart at the old address for the new owner. If you construct a new house, please contact the Public Works Department for delivery of a recycling cart to your new address. If you lose your recycling cart, please make arrangements to have it replaced as soon as possible. Without a St. Cloud recycling cart, city crews will not pick up your recyclables. 

How the Recycling System Works

  • The city collects recyclable materials every other week using fully automated trucks. 
  • Recycling and refuse are picked up on the same day, but by different trucks. 
  • The cost for recycling is $7.30 plus tax per household per month. 
  • This recycling/pass-by fee is included on the resident's bi-monthly city utility bill. 
  • If you have extra recyclables that will not fit in your cart, you may put the extra in another container or box and place it next to your recycle cart. 
  • Corrugated cardboard boxes must be broken down into pieces no bigger than 18" x 18", bundled together with twine or string, and placed next to your recycle cart. 
  • Contact the Public Works Department at 320-650-2900 to learn what day you have recycling pickup at your address. 

Nonrecyclable items or improperly prepared materials will not be picked up.

Contact the Public Works Department at 320-650-2900 to arrange to have a recycling cart delivered to your residence. The cost of a replacement cart is $61.79 including tax. This fee may be added to your utility bill.

  1. RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
  2. PLACEMENT OF CART
  3. RECYCLING CALENDAR
  4. HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
  5. PREPARING RECYCLABLE ITEMS

Please follow the guidelines below for recycling under the City’s program:

Glass bottles and jars: Green, brown and clear glass is acceptable, but it must be thoroughly rinsed. Remove covers. Labels do not need to be removed. Unacceptable: Window glass, plate glass, mirrors, drinking glasses, dishes, light bulbs, or ceramics.

Plastic disposable single use containers with a recycling symbol of #1, #2, & #5: Milk jugs, bottles, plastic food containers, yogurt cups, margarine and whip cream tubs. All items must be thoroughly rinsed. Covers and labels do not need to be removed. Unacceptable: styrofoam, plastic bags, motor oil or anti-freeze containers, paint pails, plastic manufactured household goods and furnishings such as laundry baskets, swimming pools, lawn chairs, tableware, plastic toys.

Aluminum and bimetal (tin and steel) cans: Vegetable or beverage cans and pie tins that are empty and thoroughly rinsed; labels do not need to be removed. Unacceptable: Aluminum foil, clothes hangers, empty paint or aerosol cans, or pots and pans.

Newspaper and inserts: All newspaper and inserts that come with the paper may be included. Newspaper should be clean and dry. Do not bundle and tie paper.

Magazines, catalogs and telephone books

Junk mail: Accounting paper, adding machine paper tape, computer printouts, copy paper (all colors), typing paper, letterhead, stationery, post-it notes, note paper, NCR paper, legal pad paper, greeting cards, manila file folders, paperback books, brown paper bags and envelopes (windows removed). Unacceptable: Hard cover books, gift wrapping paper, paper towels, tissue, paper napkins, used paper or styrofoam plates, waxed paper, styrofoam, bubble wrap, diapers, cigarette butts, construction paper, blueprints, pendaflex folders and carbon paper.

Corrugated cardboard: Cut into 18” x 18” pieces or smaller. Larger pieces of cardboard may become lodged inside the cart causing the cart not to empty completely when tipped. Unacceptable: Delivery pizza boxes or corrugated cardboard contaminated with grease or food substances.

Boxboard: Cereal, cake and cracker boxes, shoe boxes, pop and beer cases, paper milk cartons, juice boxes, broth and other paper cartons. Unacceptable: Ice cream cartons and boxboard contaminated with grease or food substances.

Shredded paper: Shredded paper is no longer accepted in recycling.