The City of Independence contracts with Republic Services for residential recycling thus reducing wear on our roads, and the use of their one-sort, rolling recycle cart is at no charge to Independence residents. Their recycling collection day is on Fridays except when there is a holiday during the week, and then it will be delayed 1 day. See the current year's Calendar for specific details or contact them directly at 763-972-3335.


MISSED PICKUP
If you missed a collection, please contact Republic Services at 763-972-3335. 

 
NEW RESIDENTS
In order to begin your recycling service and receive a new 95-gallon rolling cart, please call Republic Services at 763-972-3335. Contacting them before noon the day before the next collection day usually allows your cart to be delivered that same week.  See the current Republic Services Calendar and Map to note if you're located in their Grey-week or Blue-week pickup schedule.

The City requests you also complete a New Resident Form either emailing it to ASimon@ci.independence.mn.us or mailing it to Independence City Hall at 1920 County Road, Independence, MN 55359.


 
SPRING CLEAN UP DAY - Saturday, May 4th, 2024
The City of Independence hosts an annual Spring Clean Up Day which is typically held on the first Saturday in May. As it approaches, information will be updated on our Spring Newsletter, Website, and Facebook page. 

If you are looking to get rid of a bunch of junk, but our Clean Up Day is far away, below are a couple of great drop off sites:
(Links give their specific pricing, hours, location, and acceptable and unacceptable materials lists.)  
If you are not sure what to do with whatever you have, visit Hennepin County's Green Disposal site:
 www.hennepin.us/en/green-disposal-guide/items


 
REPUBLIC SERVICES' CHRISTMAS TREE PICKUP
For residents who choose Republic Services for their trash hauler and want their Christmas tree(s) to be picked up and recycled after the holidays, their Christmas tree collection truck will pickup the tree(s), and they will bill residents $26 per tree.  These tree collection dates are always the first two collections of the year. For 2024, they will be
  • Saturday, January 6th, 2024 (delayed a day due to New Years holiday) and
  • Friday, January 12th, 2024.

Green Tip: Holiday disposal guide

Between packaging from deliveries, decorations, gift wrap, and more, the holiday season is a time when we often have a lot of stuff to get rid of. When you're ready to start cleaning up from the holidays, follow these tips for the best ways to recycle, reuse, and get rid of common holiday items:

Cardboard and packing paper

Flatten and recycle cardboard boxes and packing paper at home. If you have a lot of boxes, see if your city or hauler has guidelines for extra cardboard or bring them to a Hennepin County drop-off facility. Flattening paper before recycling will ensure it gets properly sorted at the recycling facility.

Holiday disposal guide graphic for cardboard with instructions to flatten and recycle at home

Gift wrap and cards

Flatten and recycle cards, envelopes, and plain paper used as gift wrap.

Holiday disposal graphic with instructions to recycle plain cards and paper used as gift wrap

Throw or reuse glossy gift wrap and cards that are glossy, shiny, or glittery as they are not recyclable.

Holiday disposal guide gift wrap graphic with instructions to put in the trash

Save and reuse gift bags, gift boxes, bows, ribbons, and tissue paper. Otherwise, these items should go in the trash.

Holiday disposal graphic with instructions to save and reuse gift bags, ribbons, and bows

Trees and wreaths

Remove all decorations from trees and wreaths and see if your city or hauler offers special pickup or bring trees to a yard waste site. See the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s best management practices for holiday greenery for more information.

Throw away tinsel and trees, wreaths, and other greenery that are flocked, or covered in fake snow, glittery, or contain decorations that cannot be removed.

Holiday disposal graphic with instructions to use a special pick-up service or bring real trees to a yard waste site

String lights, electronics, and batteries

Bring non-working string lights, electronics, and batteries to a Hennepin County drop-off facility or check the Green Disposal Guide for additional options.

Holiday disposal guide graphic with instructions to bring string lights, batteries, and electronics to a drop-off site

Plastic bags and film

Bring plastic bags, plastic film, shipping envelopes, and bubble wrap to a recycling drop-off location at retailers like grocery or department stores or Hennepin County drop-off facilities.

Holiday disposal graphic with instructions to bring plastic film, wrap, and shipping envelopes to a drop-off

HAZARDOUS WASTE

Hennepin County's Hazardous Waste Collection Events happening throughout the year give residents many local disposal options for their household hazardous wastes. Residents are encouraged to safely store their household hazardous waste until they are able to attend a collection event.


PLEASE NOTE: The county will NOT be accepting electronics at the collection events; household hazardous waste will be accepted only.

To clarify any questions, contact Hennepin County at environment@hennepin.us or by calling 612-348-3777.