Coming to a Park Near You

Sports tournaments, picnics, walks, playgrounds, nature: what else is in our parks? Recycling! The parks department in Burnsville is excited to announce the introduction of more than 130 new recycling bins in almost 25 parks in order to make public space recycling more available and convenient.

Items that are accepted in these bin include plastic bottles, cans, cardboard, and paper. But if you forget, the new bins come with picture-based labels which will show you exactly what should go in each bin. See for yourself on your next visit to the parks. 

Where They Are Going:

• Alimagnet
• Birnamwood Golf Course
• Black Dog
• Civic Center
• Cliff Fen
• Crystal Beach
• Crystal Lake West
• Kelleher
• Lac Lavon
• MN River Front
• Nicollet Common
• Neill North River Hills
• Paha Sapa
• Red Oak
• Rose
• Rudy L. Kraemer
• Sue Fischer Memorial
• Sunset Pond
• Terrace Oaks East
• Terrace Oaks West
• Vista View
• Wolk

Recycling is also available in other city parks as well. In Apple Valley, you can recycle at Johnny Cake, Quarry Point, and Valley Middle. In Eagan, recycling is available at Central Park, Lexington Diffley, and Northview. For Lakeville, Aronson, King, Quigley-Sime, and Steve Michaud all have recycling. Just remember, with recycling now available, you don't have to 'trash' the parks. Relax, play, eat, enjoy yourself, and then recycle. It's that easy.

Get rid of problem materials safely, and FREE

When the time comes for spring cleaning, it can be hard to know how to dispose of certain items. Hazardous waste is illegal to put in the trash, and should stay out of your home recycling cart. So here is a short guide for disposing of problem materials.

Vaping devices –As concerns rise over the safety of vaping, people are ditching more frequently. Vaping pens, e-cigarettes and other similar devices have batteries that could cause fires, so it is important to keep them out of your home recycling and trash. Instead, bring vaping devices to The Recycling Zone in Eagan for proper disposal. Make sure it is turned off before dropping it off for recycling.

Mercury –Mercury, despite its toxicity, is still used in several products around your home, including thermometers, fluorescent bulbs and non-programmable thermostats. When you’re done using these products, bring them to the Recycling Zone for free, safe disposal. You can even pick up a free digital thermometer when you drop off an old mercury thermometer.

Ammunition –Due to its explosive properties, ammunition should not be placed in your home trash or recycling carts, as it can be dangerous for you and the people collecting them. Instead, bring your ammunition to The Recycling Zone for safe disposal. You may also bring ammunition to your local law enforcement center, but please do not bring ammunition to the Eagan or Burnsville Police Departments, as they have discontinued their collections.

Batteries –Some batteries contain toxic metals like lead and cadmium, which can pose a harm to human health and our water and land if trashed. Bring all your batteries – single-use and rechargeable, small or big – to The Recycling Zone for free drop-off. The metals, acids and plastic that compose batteries can all be used to make new products. Please tape both ends of each battery with any kind of tape to help out Recycling Zone staff.

If you haven’t guessed already, The Recycling Zone accepts lots of hazardous materials for safe disposal, and the best part – it’s all FREE (except tires, TVs, and computer monitors). For a full list of accepted items, visit www.dakotacounty.us and search Recycling Zone.

We understand recycling can be confusing, and it's hard to know what to do with all the different kinds of materials out there, which is why we've created a series of YouTube videos to answer your most pressing recycling-related questions. Take a Dive Into Recycling with DVR, and find out what to do with plastic bags, pharmaceuticals, and many other problem materials.

If you don't see something you need information on, leave us a comment under any of the videos and we'll add your question to our list!

18400 Ipava Ave, Lakeville, MN 55044

As of October 1^st, Dakota County and the City of Lakeville are offering an exciting opportunity for Lakeville residents to dramatically cut their waste. A free organics drop-site launched after many residents, through surveys and public forums, voiced their desire to keep organic waste out of the landfill. The Lakeville location will be the first organics drop-site in the southwest part of the county.

Unlike backyard composting, the Lakeville site is set up for commercial composting which allows the resident to compost food scraps like meat, bones, pizza boxes, tissues and much more. This is not a yard waste site – no leaves or brush are accepted at this location.

Participation is easy. Sign-up online at www.dakotacounty.us, search organics, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 952-891-7557. Once signed up, residents receive a welcome kit with a free container label, compostable bags and details on how to recycle organics, as well the access codes to enter the locked drop-off locations at Thompson County Park, Holland Lake Trailhead and the Lakeville Water Treatment Facility.

Recycling around the home has become easier than ever as more materials are being accepted by haulers and facilities. However, reusing or recycling parts of the home itself after a remodel isn't as easy as throwing it in your curbside bin. Luckily, there are resources in the metro county to reuse and recycle just about any part of the home including carpet, cabinets, insulation, roofing material and more! Check out the reuse and recycling opportunities list below for the names and numbers of locations near you. 

Reuse opportunities

For a item to be reused, it must be in excellent condition free of stains, rips or tears. Each reuse location will have specific standards that must be adhered to. Call ahead to see if your item will be accepted or email the locations with a photo of the item you wish to donate. 

Habitat for Humanity Restore
2700 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapoilis
612-588-3820

Accepts: Appliances, building materials, carpet, flooring, hardware, kitchen cabinets, paint, tools and other misc. items
See full list of accepted items

Better Futures MN
2620 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis
612-455-6133

Accepts: Doors, cabinets, lighting, lumber, appliances, tiles and plumbing
See a full list of accepted items

Bridging MN
201 W 87th St, Bloomington MN
952-888-1105

Accepts: Furniture, housewares, small appliances & electronics, mirrors, artwork and pictures
See a full list of accepted items

Recycling opportunities

Dem-Con Companies
13161 Dem-Con Drive, Shakopee MN
952-445-5755

Accepts: Asphalt, cabinets, carpet, concrete, fencing material, fiberboard, house wrap, molded fiberglass, pipe, plywood, roofing material, sheetrock, siding, treated wood and more
See a full list of accepted items

Randy's Sanitation
12620 Vincent Ave S, Burnsville MN
763-972-3335 

Accepts: Appliances, construction material, bath tubs, pallets, sinks, toilets and more
See a full list of accepted items 

Spring is almost here, and you know what that means!

Or maybe you already did your “Spring cleaning,” but it's never a bad time to set yourself straight for the season! Below is information on events starting off our 2021 collection season. This includes times and locations for Spring Shredding Events, DVR's Summer Collection, and our Annual Mattress Discount. Please join us in collecting and diverting waste from the landfill - masked and socially-distanced style!

**Updated 3/12/2021