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.

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. 

  • 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.

Schedules

Recycling is collected every other week on the same day of the week as your refuse. The weeks are designated as "Blue" week and "Green" week on the recycling calendar. To learn which week your recycling will be picked up, enter your address in the pickup locator.

2023 Recycling Calendar (PDF)

2024 Recycling Calendar (PDF)

2024 Holiday Schedule

Contact Us

  1. Public Works Department


    Email

    1200 15th Ave. SE
    St. Cloud, MN 56304

    Ph: 320-650-2900
    Fx: 320-255-7237

    Hours


    Monday - Friday
    8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  1. CART PLACEMENT
  2. PREPARING RECYCLABLE ITEMS
  3. RECYCLABLE MATERIALS

Cart Placement

  • On the designated recycling day, place the recycling cart as near as possible to the alley. 
  • If there is no alley, place the cart as near as possible to the street.  
  • The cart shall be set out for collection no later than 6:00 a.m. on the designated recycling day and no earlier than 6:00 p.m. the preceding day. 
  • Pickup times for recycling on a particular route may change due to weather delay, equipment problems or other unforeseen circumstances. 
  • The front side of the recycling cart shall face the street or alley and have a clearance of four feet from buildings, parked cars, trees, mailboxes and other objects to allow the automated equipment to work properly.  
  • The lid on the recycling cart must be completely closed in order for the cart to be emptied. 
  • Carts not properly set out for collection will not be emptied.  
  • After collection, remove the cart from the street or alley by 7:00 p.m. 
  • The cart may be stored outside as long as the lid of the cart is kept securely closed at all times to prevent recycling from blowing out of the cart and to keep rain and snow from accumulating inside it.

Removal of Snow 

  • Each household shall be responsible for clearing snow and ice from around the base of the recycling cart of approximately four feet to allow collection crews access to the cart. 
  • Any cart that does not have the snow and ice removed will not be emptied. 
  • Carts cannot be placed on top of a snowbank for collection.