Several items are banned from the trash within the WLSSD service area. These items have been banned by state, federal and district laws and regulations because they contain hazardous materials, are recyclable, or simply have better uses than being put into a landfill.
WLSSD’s Materials Recovery Center and Household Hazardous Waste Facility provide disposal options for most of those items that are banned from the regular garbage and may not be managed by garbage haulers. Review the Disposal Guide for additional disposal options.
See the WLSSD Solid Waste Ordinance for legal descriptions or MN Statute definitions of the banned items listed below; continue reading for general descriptions of each category.
Additional materials may be added to the list as laws change. The updated list becomes official once it is published in a newspaper having general circulation in the WLSSD service area.
Paper, certain plastics, glass, metal and corrugated cardboard.
Any material that, because of its quantity, concentration, or chemical, physical, or infectious characteristics may:
A. Cause or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible illness; or
B. Pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, or Disposed of, or otherwise managed. Categories of Hazardous Waste materials include, but are not limited to: explosives, flammables, oxidizers, poisons, irritants, and corrosives.
Chemical products such as cleaning solvents, paints, pesticides, disposed of by residential consumers. These wastes may also contain substances that can catch fire, react with other chemicals, explode, or are corrosive or toxic.
Blood, regulated body fluids, used sharps, and research animal waste that have not been decontaminated; human tissues and body parts removed accidentally or during surgery or autopsy intended for disposal. Pathological waste does not include teeth.
Used needles, syringes, lancets, or blades.
Grass clippings, leaves, twigs, branches, and other garden refuse.