Recycling
Elk River Municipal Utilities manages the city's every-other-week single stream recycling. These services are provided by Republic Services. Your collection week depends on where you live in the city and your hauler's route.
Garbage and recycling carts belong behind the curb in your driveaway or yard on your scheduled collection day.
Carts need to be placed curbside by 6:00 a.m. on your service day to ensure pickup. If for any reason your trash/recycling has been missed on your scheduled collection day, please contact Elk River Municipal Utilities.
By placing your garbage and recycling carts appropriately, you allow Elk River's street maintenance crews to complete their jobs efficiently, no matter the season.
Accepted Items for Recycling
- Plastic Bottles and Jugs
- Cartons (emptied, cleaned, and caps on)
- Plastic Cups and Containers
- Paper (mail, office, magazines, etc.)
- Cardboard and Boxes
- Metal and Aluminum Cans (food and beverage cans)
- Glass (brown, green, and clear, food and beverage)
You can also search Earth911 for a list of recyclers around the country or call the city's Environmental Department at 763.635.1000.
Unaccepted Items for Recycling
- Plastic Bags and Plastic Film
- Ropes, Hoses, and Chains
- Styrofoam
- Scrap Metal
- Shredded Paper
- Foil Pouches, Bags, and Wrappers
- Dishes, Vases, Mirrors, Windows, Ceramic or Porcelain
- Refrigerator and Freezer Boxes
- Pizza Boxes
- Ink and Toner Cartridges
You can also search Earth911 for a list of recyclers around the country or call the city's Environmental Department at 763.635.1000.
When recycling cardboard, keep the cardboard clean and dry and remove any tape, rigid foam, plastic bags, wood, or large staples.
Curbside Collection
- Flatten and cut cardboard to a 3' X 3' bundle
- Tape or tie the cardboard together
- Put inside your recycling cart
Do not recycle these kinds of corrugated cardboard:
- Corrugated cardboard boxes coated or wet strength made for storage in the refrigerator or freezer
- Corrugated cardboard boxes contaminated with food, grease, or other chemicals
Recyclable items are to be LOOSE in your recycling cart.
Plastic bags slow down the sorting process post pick-up. You can place recycled items in a brown paper bag as those can be recycled as well.
There should be no plastic bags ever placed in your recycling cart.
Below are links to various recycling resources:
Service Forms
Door Side Service Form - a great option for elderly and disabled residents.
Temporary Stop in Service Form - for a temporary change in service when you will be away from home for an extended period of time.
Recycling Updates
May 2023 - The city no longer recycles holiday string lights or toner cartridges.