Recycling & Refuse - Columbus, MN

Recycling & Refuse - Columbus, MN
Air Quality:
Recycling & Refuse
Index
RECYCLING NEWS
ORGANICS RECYCLING
COMMUNAL ALUMINUM CAN RECYLING
PLASTICS
2026 RECYCLING EVENTS
RECYCLING AND DISPOSAL DIRECTORY
COMPOST BIN & RAIN BARREL SALE
CURBSIDE RECYCLING
REFUSE HAULERS
2026 FIX-IT CLINICS
YARD WASTE
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION DROP OFF SITES
MATTRESSES
SCRAP METAL RECYCLING
RECYCLING NEWS
Just inside the City Hall doors, residents can now find containers to recycle eyeglasses, cell phones, hearing aids, printer cartridges and flags. This is in addition to other offerings in the front entryway such as
organics recycling bags, battery recycling and a container to recycle broken or unused holiday lights.
The City asks residents to please bring a tonnage receipt for everything taken to a drop-off site. This will help count towards the City's annual tonnage goal.  Our 2026 goal is 467 tons! Receipts can be dropped off at City Hall or sent to
deputyclerk@ci.columbus.mn.us
ORGANICS RECYCLING
Columbus City Hall - Drop off Site
16319 Kettle River Blvd., Columbus, MN 55025
About 30% of our trash is organic material that can be composted. Participating in the organics recycling program keeps food scraps out of the trash
and is one way to make a difference in your community.
To participate in the County's Organics Recycling Program:
Sign up at City Hall, to get your free organics recycling starter kit (bucket & bags).
Pick up a free starter kit at the Columbus City Offices (or at other compost sites in Anoka County).
Collect Organic waste in a
compostable bag
and tie off the bag.
Come to a compost site during operating hours and place the bag in the container designated for organics recycling.  At this time you can ask for more free BPI certified bags.
Compostable items are collected in the green rolling dumpster in the shelter at the western corner of the Public Works fenced-in yard. Compostable items may be delivered to the dumpster loose or in
compostable
bags.
Outside of Columbus, there are other Anoka County drop-off sites available. Locations and hours of operation may be reviewed on the
County's website
COMMUNAL ALUMINUM CAN RECYLING
Communal aluminum can recycling has returned to Columbus!
Bring your empty aluminum cans to the City Hall campus and deposit them in the large metal trailer along the northwestern fence surrounding the Public Works yard. Once the trailer is full, the recycling company will haul the full trailer to its facility and replace it with an empty trailer. Additionally, the company will also pay the City the recycling proceeds, which Council will redirect into projects to benefit the City.
PLASTICS
Plastic Bags - ALL COLORS ACCEPTED
If the bags stretch they are accepted.
Bags that do not stretch or rip/tear are not accepted. Tarp material  bags are not accepted unless both the inside layer AND outside layer BOTH stretch.
Amazon bubble mailer
Bread bags
Cereal bags
Dry cleaning
Frozen food bags - test these bags by stretching them. Majority are NOT recyclable.
Newspaper bags
Plastic grocery
Plastic stretch/shrink-wrap
Plastic wrap from paper products
Plastic zipper bags with rigid closing mechanism and food residue removed
Produce bags
Retail bags (string or hard plastic ties removed)
Softener salt bags with plastic handles removed
No foil-lined plastic bags
No chip bags or candy wrappers
2026 RECYCLING EVENTS
Bicycle Drop-Off
When: Wednesday, May 20, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Columbus City Hall
What: Bicycles in any condition can be donated to Bikes4Kids, who will repair and refurbish them for distribution to Anoka County and metro area residents in need.
Recycling Drop-Off Event
When: Saturday, May 9, 9 a.m.-noon
Where: City Hall Parking Lot
What: Make sure to keep track of your Recycling Flyer to be mailed in April. Included within that mailer will be a coupon that will allow Columbus residents to recycle
two (2) items for free
at this event!
Free Paper Shredding
When: Saturday, May 9, 9 a.m.-noon
Where: City Hall Parking Lot
What: Free shredding with the option to witness document destruction is available.
Summer Events
Curbside Recycling
When: Week of July 13-17, 2026
Where: Residential Curbsides
What: See flyer and call City Offices for more information.
Must call or email
deputyclerk@ci.columbus.mn.us
NO Later than July 15 to be added to the collection list.
Autumn Events
Bicycle Drop-Off
When: Wednesday, September 16, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: City Hall Parking Lot
What: Bicycles in any condition can be donated to Bikes4Kids, who will repair and refurbish them for distribution to Anoka County and metro area residents in need.
Recycling Drop-Off
When: Saturday, October 3, 9 a.m.-noon
Where: City Hall Parking Lot
What: Remember the recycling flyer from spring? Hope you held on to it, as there's another coupon included that will allow Columbus residents to recycle
two (2) items for free
at this event!
Free Paper Shredding
When: Saturday, October 3, 9 a.m.-noon
Where: City Hall Parking Lot
What: Free shredding with the option to witness document destruction is available.
RECYCLING AND DISPOSAL DIRECTORY
Do you ever find yourself wondering, "where can I recycle this item"?
Anoka County has a useful
directory for figuring out where to recycle, compost or dispose of materials from your household.  Be sure to c
all ahead and verify materials collected, any fees that may apply, preparation instructions, and hours of operation.
Visit the Anoka County Recycling and and Disposal Directory.
COMPOST BIN & RAIN BARREL SALE
Through the
Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM)
and its partnerships with municipalities, watershed districts, nonprofits and other entities, residents across the state have the opportunity to purchase reusable compost bins and rain barrels at a discounted rate.
Compost bins - $80+tax - Constructed out of 100 percent recycled plastics, RAM's compost bins can hold 125 gallons of composting materials and is complete with a lockable lid and sliding doors. According to RAM, similar containers can retail for $100 or more.
Rain barrels - $100+tax - Rain barrels can collect 45 gallons of chlorine-free water to be used to water plants, wash the car and much more. According to RAM, similar barrels can retail for $120 or more.
Supplies are limited, so interested parties should act quickly to ensure they are able to participate.
Orders must be placed online
in advance of the distribution date, and early or late pickups are not permitted.
CURBSIDE RECYCLING
Recycling is available at the curb for every resident in Columbus.
By recycling, Twin Cities residents can:
Use less energy:  Recycling a single aluminum can save enough energy to power a television for three hours.
Save natural resources
Create jobs:  The plastic recycling industry provides jobs for more than 52,000 American workers.
Reduce taxes:  Recycling generates $64 million in Minnesota tax revenue every year!
Curbside pickup is provided by your refuse hauler.  Check with your hauler on the items accepted and how to prepare them for collection.  Haulers providing service to Columbus are listed below on this webpage.
(And remember -
NO BATTERIES
OF ANY SORT AND
NO PLASTIC BAGS
. Some large local stores have collection bins for clean bags in their lobbies, such as Cub, Walmart or Kohls, or you can bring them to Columbus City Hall)
REFUSE HAULERS
Backyard burning and burning of garbage is illegal and produces toxic materials that contaminate the environment. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has additional information on the problems with burning garbage. Columbus refuse haulers currently include:
Ace Solid Waste
| 763-427-3110
LePage & Sons
| 763-757-7100 (currently serving Columbus residents west of I-35)
Waste Management
| 888-960-0008
Please remember to recycle your appliances or electronics. They will find their forever home in the landfill if your hauler collects them.  Please call the city for recycle locations available.
2026 FIX-IT CLINICS
Anoka County is again offering more free Fix-It Clinics in 2026.
Have broken stuff lying around?  Don't trash it - fix it!
Bring things to be fixed like small household appliances, clothing, electronics, and more.  Volunteer fixers will help you disassemble, troubleshoot and repair your item.
Why fix it? Bring your broken items back to life!
Our Fix It Clinic brings many benefits to you, including:
•Saving you money.
•Meeting new people.
•Preserving old items that may be of value to you.
•Reducing waste in your community.
First come, first served. Items must be carry in - no items over 40 pounds. These events are for residents who need their own items fixed. These events are not intended for businesses.
All events are scheduled from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; with the last items accepted at 12:30 pm. Specific dates and locations can be found on Anoka County's
website
. Events taking place throughout the County include:
Date
Host Community
Location
Address
Saturday, March 7
Blaine
Northtown     Library
711 County Rd 10 NE     Blaine, MN
Saturday, April 4
Fridley
Springbrook Nature Center
100 85th Ave NE   Fridley, MN
Saturday, May 2
Oak Grove
Oak Grove City Hall / Senior Center
19900 Nightingale St NW   Oak Grove, MN
Saturday, August 1
Columbia Heights
First Lutheran Church
1555 40th Ave NE    Columbia Heights, MN
Saturday, October 3
Andover
Bunker Hills Activity Center - Maple Room
550 Bunker Lake Blvd. NW    Andover, MN
Saturday, November 7
Linwood
Linwood Community Center
22817 Typo Creek Dr. NE   Linwood, MN
YARD WASTE
Anoka County offers two compost sites for the residents of Columbus to dispose of leaves, grass, and tree waste.  Proof of residency in Anoka County is required to use these sites and receive free and reduced fees. For more information, including site hours, residential fees and locations, visit
Anoka County's website
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
Anoka County offers a household hazardous waste drop-off facility for residents of Columbus.
Businesses, schools and other organizations may NOT use the HHW facility
. There is no charge to use the site. Bring identification, such as a driver's license, for proof of residency.
Website link:
Location:
3230 101st Avenue NE, Blaine, MN 55449
April – October Hours:
Wednesday: 1 - 7 p.m.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Closed Federal Holidays
November - March Hours:
Wednesday: 1 - 7 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION DROP OFF SITES
Safely dispose of unused, unwanted or expired prescriptions and medication at Anoka County "Prescription Drug Take Back" or Washington County medication drop off sites. Hours vary by location. There is no charge to drop off drugs and boxes may be used anonymously.
Anoka County "Prescription Drug Take Back" locations
Washington County Unused Medication drop off locations
MATTRESSES
Second Chance Recycling
will take your old mattress at their recycling facility. They are open M-F from 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Disposal fee is $30 per mattress/boxspring. No appointment is necessary for quantities under 20.
1179 15th Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone
: 612-787-3770. They
cannot
accept wet mattresses.
Anoka County Locations
SCRAP METAL RECYCLING
Scrap metal, such as steel or aluminum, may be taken to a variety of local recyclers who pay per pound of recyclables (see list below). After you drop off your scrap metal
bring your tonnage receipt to Columbus City Hall
. The City tracks recycling quantities and your tonnage receipt will help Columbus reach this year's recycling goal for the community!
Scrap Metal Recyclers:
Alter Metal Recycling, 2905 N. Ferry Street, Anoka - 763-421-1187
B&E Recycling Station, 16501 Hwy. 10 NW, Elk River - 763-441-7211
LePage & Sons
, 23602 University Ave. NW, Bethel - 763-757-7100
National Recycling Inc. (NRI), 15717 N. Forest Blvd., Hugo - 651-407-0092
Shamrock Recycling & Transfer Station, 3280 99th Court, Blaine - 763-780-0404
SRC Transfer Station & Recycling Center, 6320 E. Viking Blvd., Wyoming - 651-462-1099
Walters Recycling & Refuse Inc., 10191 Xylite St. NE, Blaine - 763-780-8464
Return to Top
Anoka County Launches New Recycling App
Deciding which bin to throw an item in just got a bit easier! Anoka County recently launched a useful mobile phone app to help people recycle more and recycle correctly.  Check out the app on the different App Stores below:
Recycle Events
"Recycle Day" events of 2026 will be held in
May, July,
September and October
. Take advantage of these events to clear out your electronics, appliances, bicycles, tires, etc. Help us build the tonnage numbers for Columbus by participating in these events. For details on upcoming events, check our
Calendar.
Recycling Ideas?
Have an idea for a new recycling event? We'd love to hear about it! Drop us a line
HERE
and tell us how you think Columbus can reduce, reuse and recycle!
Related Links
Anoka County Environmental Website
MN Pollution Control Agency
Recycle Often, Recycle Right
2026 Recycling Flyer