Solid Waste
Solid Waste & Recycling Brochure 
The Solid Waste section of Environmental Services deals with the following areas:
Appliance and Furniture Redistribution
Batteries
Construction and Demolition
Waste
Fluorescent Bulbs
Hazardous Waste
Materials Exchange
Recycling, Garbage
Tires
Waste Reduction
Yard Waste and Composting
See our Fact Sheets for more information on these and other environmental subjects. We also the Waste Education trunk, an educational tool available for loan to all county groups and organizations. This trunk has nine individual lesson kits addressing all solid waste and recycling topics.
In addition, we have a Waste Reduction slide show, videotapes on a variety
of topics, and a public speaker available on all solid waste topics.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solid Waste
Q What should I do with Household and Veterinary Sharps ( hypodermic
needles)?
A Place in puncture-proof container( such as a liquid laundry detergent
bottle), tape lid shut and dispose of in Garbage. Do not place in recycling
bins. Label container clearly as "sharps". Labels are available
at ESD office in Walker.
Q What should I do with automotive and marine waste materials?
A Anti-freeze, waste oil, and oil-filters may be brought in to
any of the transfer sites for disposal at no charge. Do not dispose of
these materials in the garbage, pour on the ground, or into a sewer. If
you have old gasoline to dispose of, call the Household Hazardous Waste
facility.
Q How do I dispose of old batteries ?
A Bring lead acid (automotive or marine) ,Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cads),
and button batteries to any of the transfer
sites. Ni-Cads and button batteries can also be dropped off at participating
hardware stores and pharmacies.
Q I have used fluorescent and halogen light bulbs to dispose of. Where
do I take them?
A These items may be dropped off at all transfer
sites. Some area hardware stores also accept bulbs. A fee is charged
for disposal at all locations.
Q Why can't I burn my garbage anymore?
A 1) The pollution caused by open garbage burning is unhealthy
for wildlife and people. It damages not only the air quality, but also
the soil and water...in your own backyard. The smoke may contain many
harmful chemicals. The ash residue also contains pollutants, such as lead,
mercury, arsenic, chromium and cadmium. Even plain white paper when burned,
can give off chemicals such as dioxin. The ground near the burn barrel
can contain high concentrations of dioxin that can linger for centuries.
Animals that eat affected plants absorb the dioxin, and ultimately dioxin
makes its way to humans who eat the animals or crops grown in contaminated
soil.
2) Open burning, such as in burn barrels, is a major cause of wildfire in Minnesota.
3) Backyard burning of garbage has been illegal in Minnesota since 1969.
4) It wastes resources. Many of the items commonly burned could be reused,
recycled, or composted.