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

  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.

  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.)

• Republic Services Public Drop-Off Site - Delano 
• Carver County Environmental Center - Chaska 
• DEM-CON - Shakopee and Blaine

 
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

  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.

Gift wrap and cards

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

• Find safe storage tips from Hennepin County's Green Disposal Guide and learn which products to never mix together.
• See the Materials Accepted tab for a full list of materials. 
• Browse the List of Items for detailed disposal information and to determine multiple green disposal options for some. 

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.