Bulky item collection

In 2021, the city approved a new plan for handling bulky waste items in a more sustainable way than the Curbside Cleanup program of the past. The purpose behind the new program and the activities listed below is to reuse and recycle more and landfill less.

A monthly fee is charged to all households in the city’s garbage and recycling program for these bulky item collection services. The fee is called “Bulky Item Management Fee” on your Utility Bill and replaces the Curbside Cleanup Fee. Your Utility Bill reflects two months of service.

Bulky Reuse & Recycling

The City has partnered with Better Futures Minnesota to collect bulky reusable and recyclable items at the curb in an effort to reduce the number of these items that end up going to a landfill. Households with City garbage and recycling service can schedule a monthly pick up of reusable and recyclable items like those listed below. Items will be picked up the first full week of each month, on the regular garbage and recycling day. There is no extra cost for these items to be picked up. Service is included in the monthly Bulky Item Management Fee on the residential Utility Bill.

Since this is a new program, the City is hoping to learn about how this process works and what items households have for reuse and recycling. This also means that we may need to slightly alter the program guidelines as we learn more.

Monthly bulky item collection in Bloomington

Who is eligible

The service is provide to all City of Bloomington residential solid waste & recycling customers. This includes single family properties, duplexes and certain townhomes that have opted into city garbage and recycling service. If you are unsure if you have City service, enter your address in our City Collection Hauler Map. Households with City service are identified on this map with a star, and hauler details.

How to schedule pickup

You must schedule pickup ahead of time directly with City-contracted vendor, Better Futures. Pickup must be scheduled by 4 p.m. at least two business days ahead of your regular monthly pickup day. There is no extra cost for these items to be picked up. Service is included in the monthly Curbside Cleanup Fee on your Utility Bill.

Schedule pickup:

By phone at 612-353-5400 (Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
Online at betterfuturesminnesota.com/curbside-collections

When will items be picked up

After scheduling your pickup with Better Futures, items will be picked up the first full week of each month, on your regular garbage and recycling day.

bulky reuse and recycling 2025 collection calendar. call utility billing for details.

The first full week of the month is as follows:

January 2025: Week of January 6th
February 2025: Week of February 3rd
March 2025: Week of March 3rd
April 2025: Week of April 7th
May 2025: Week of May 5th
June 2025: Week of June 2nd
July 2025: Week of July 7th
August 2025: Week of August 4th
September 2025: Week of September 8th
October 2025: Week of October 6th
November 2025: Week of November 3rd
December 2025: Week of December 1st

Items accepted and quantity limits

Quantity Limits

Choose one of the following pickup offerings monthly:

Up to 2 large items, OR
Up to 1 large item and 2 medium items, OR
Up to 1 large item and 50 cubic feet of building materials, OR
Up to 3 medium items, OR
Up to 2 medium items with 50 cubic feet of building materials

In addition, collection of 4 tools may be requested with any pickup.

Number of items set out monthly cannot exceed limits above, but can be less.

Items Accepted

The following items are accepted. Quantity limits apply.

Large Items

Mattresses or box springs	Must be dry. No bugs. Some mattresses will be recycled if they cannot be reused.
Large appliances	Includes air conditioners, dehumidifiers, dish washers, freezers, garbage disposals, ovens, microwaves, refrigerators, stoves, trash compactors, washer/dryers, water heaters, water softeners. Items must be clean.
Furniture	Must be in good condition. Must be free of rips, stains, scratches, strong odors and/or pet hair. Includes: Couches (Reclining or powered couches not accepted) Chairs (Reclining or powered chairs not accepted) Tables and coffee tables (glass topped tables not accepted) Shelves (glass topped shelves not accepted. Entertainment centers for tube televisions not accepted.) Bed frames (Headboards, footboards or wooden rails not accepted) And more
Rugs	Must be in good condition. Must be free of rips, stains, scratches, strong odors and/or pet hair. Cannot exceed 10 feet in length.

Medium Items

Bicycles	Any condition.
Powered lawn/snow equipment	Any condition. Must be emptied of gasoline and oil.
Toilets	Must be in working condition and less than 8 years old. No cracks.
Sinks	Must be in working condition. No cracks.
Cabinets	Must be in good condition. Doors must remain attached.
Solid core doors	The following doors are not accepted: hollow core doors, doors with missing parts, doors that are bowed, warped or have peeling paint, doors with broken glass, doors with rot, or doors with failing seals or asbestos.
Windows	No broken glass or failing seals.
Light fixtures	No fluorescent fixtures or bulbs. No fixtures with shiny gold or brass elements.
Grills	Any condition.

Building materials

Amount picked up must be 50 cubic feet or less. This is equivalent to the amount that would fit in the back of a standard size pickup truck bed.

Lumber	Must be 4-12 feet long, and free of nails. Treated and painted lumber is accepted. No railroad ties.
Trim	Must be in good condition and free of nails.
Tile	Must be a complete box. Loose tile, or tile not in original box is not accepted.
Plywood	Must be in good condition with no water damage, and at least 4 feet x 4 feet in size.
Bricks and pavers
Fencing	Metal and wood only.
Miscellaneous scrap metal

Tools

All tools must be in good, working condition. Items must be free of rust.

Power tools	Must be in good, working condition.
Garden tools	Must be in good, working condition.
Hand tools	Must be in good, working condition.
Toolbox with misc. tools	Must be in good, working condition.

Items not accepted

Citywide 2025 annual recycling drop-off event: Saturday, September 20th

When: Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Where: Western Maintenance Center, 10500 Hampshire Ave S (Google Map)

The event is open to all Bloomington residents. Certain items will be accepted at no cost, and other items a fee will apply. Cash or check only. We will only take items on the Accepted list below.

Would you like to volunteer to help at the event? A volunteer sign-up will be posted closer to the event.

Requirements

Must be a Bloomington resident.
No business waste. Businesses should contact Hennepin County at 612.348.3777 for information on disposal options.
Payment by cash or check made out to City of Bloomington. No credit cards.
For safety reasons, walking or biking materials into the event is prohibited.
Participants should turn off vehicles while unloading for safety and to reduce vehicle emissions.

Items accepted for free

Bicycles (for reuse or scrap)
Electronics (see list for electronics that are accepted for a fee)
- Cell phones
- DVD/MP3 players
- Printers
- Stereos/radios
- VCRs
- and more
Paper for shredding (shredding will be done on site)
- Staples are ok. Remove all binders. Plastic bags not accepted.
Scrap metal (must remove all non-metal parts)
- Aluminum window/door (no wood or glass)
- BBQ grills
- Bed frames
- Brass
- Lawnmowers (remove oil/gas)
- Metal bed springs
- Shelving
- Steel

Items accepted for a fee

Pay by cash or check made out to City of Bloomington. Credit cards not accepted.

Item	2023 Fees
Appliances Air conditioners Dehumidifier Dishwasher Freezer* Furnace (residential) Garbage disposal Oven Microwave Refrigerator* Stove Trash compactor Washer/dryer Water heater Water softener	$10
Electronics Computers Monitors TVs	$10 each. Other electronic items accepted for free.
Mattress/Boxsprings Must be dry. No bed frames.	$20 each piece $10 for crib mattress
Tires Car or Truck Tires.	$3

*Xcel Energy is the electricity service provider in Bloomington. Xcel Energy customers can earn a $50 rebate by allowing Xcel Energy to pick up and recycle their old functioning refrigerator and/or freezer. For more information about the program visit the Xcel Energy website.

Items not accepted

Batteries
Carpet/Pads/Rugs
Concrete, building materials
Dirt, sod, rocks, yard waste
Exercise equipment
Furniture
Garbage (unlike other cities we won’t take general trash)
Household hazardous waste such as paint, chemicals, automotive fluids
Lamps
Lawn furniture
Leaf blowers
Light bulbs
Lumber, building materials
Paint
Railroad ties
Toasters
Trash
Yard waste
Vacuum cleaners

Packing your vehicle

We have various stations where you’ll stop to drop off material. Please note that the station order has changed from last year's event. To make it easier and quicker to unload, please pack your vehicle in the reverse order of how the stations are located. For instance scrap metal is the very last station, so put it in your vehicle first.

Stations

Electronics
Shredded Paper
Bicycles
Mattresses
Tires
Appliances
Scrap Metal (load in your vehicle first)

2023 Bloomington Recycling Drop-Off Vendor Map

Guidelines

Curbside Cleanup is held every other year, on even years only.
If Bulky Item Management Fee is listed on your utility bill, your home is eligible to participate during the years Curbside Cleanup is offered. Apartments and some town homes may not be included in the program, so contact your management or homeowner's association to see if they pay for the service, or call the City Utility Billing Department at 952-563-8726.
During years Curbside Cleanup is offered:
- Do not put materials out more than two days before your scheduled pickup day.
- Set your materials at the curb by 7 a.m. on your pickup day.
- Weight must not exceed 100 pounds per item.
- Trucks will go through only once on your scheduled day. If you miss your curbside pickup, you will be responsible for disposing of the refuse. You can also call Utility Billing at 952-563-8726 and see if you can schedule a bulky materials pickup for an extra fee.
Curbside Cleanup is for Bloomington residents ONLY. Excess materials could cost you more money!

Dates for 2026 Curbside Cleanup

Accepted items

These items are accepted for pickup

Appliances	Limit TWO (2) appliances per house. Water heaters, microwaves, washers, dryers, stoves, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, freezers, dishwashers, trash compactors, garbage disposals, water coolers, refrigerators. For any appliance big enough for a child or pet to enter, remove the door(s) or tie securely shut. Do not set out appliances until the morning of your pickup. No electronics (TVs, computers, printers, stereos, cell phones etc.)

Mattresses or box springs	Limit TWO (2) items per household. Mattresses and box springs are accepted.

Unusable furniture	Limit TWO (2) items per household Chairs, couches and sofas, etc. Disassemble or tie down hide-a-way sofa beds so they cannot open when handled.

BUNDLED brush	Branches must be smaller than three inches in diameter and three feet in length and tied with twine. Place in bundles that can be carried by one person, otherwise, they will not be picked up. Brush piles must be no more than what can fit in one (1) level standard-size pickup truck.

Other Bulky Items	Limit FOUR (4) items that cannot fit in small garbage cart. Including but not limited to doors, windows, cabinets, grills, bikes, car seats, carpet, lawn mowers, snow blowers, treadmills, and swing sets. Roll up carpets and carpet pads and tie them securely with twine. Rolls must be less than five feet long and less than one (1) foot in diameter – larger rolls will not be accepted. For lawn mowers, snow blowers and other tools with engines: drain any oil, gas and other fluids and remove tires. Should be broken down to ensure hauler can get it in the truck and that a single person will be able to manage it.

Construction & Demolition Materials	Limited to what fits in one (1) level standard-size pickup truck. A standard-size pickup truck is 8 feet in length, 4 feet in width and 2 feet in height. Including but not limited to drywall, siding and lumber. Lumber must be stacked and no longer than five feet. Remove or bend nails. Boxed or bundled with twine - under 100 pounds per item. No household trash such as food waste. No plastic bags. No railroad ties. No chemically treated lumber or wood (i.e. treated to waterproof material) No construction materials from businesses or contractors. No paint, solvents, chemicals or other hazardous waste.

Quantity limits apply

To ensure sustainability and reduce costs, items limits are in place and will be enforced. Item quantity limits are specified below. Any items exceeding the specified limits will remain on the curb and residents will need to arrange for bulk material disposal. Excess materials will cost you more.

These items are not accepted

No general junk pile and no small items	No small items that can otherwise fit in a small garbage cart will be accepted. Small items like clothing, bedding, broken toys and garden hoses will not be accepted during Curbside Cleanup. Instead, you should dispose of these items throughout the year in your regular garbage cart. Regular garbage is sent to the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center—a waste-to-energy facility in downtown Minneapolis. Garbage picked up during the Curbside Cleanup is taken to a landfill. By disposing of small items throughout the year in your regular garbage, you will reduce the amount of material that is sent to the landfill and the annual disposal costs associated with this program.

Construction items from businesses or contractors	No construction materials from businesses or contractors. No railroad ties, chemically treated wood, concrete, bricks, shingles. No asbestos.

Electronics	No TVs, computers, printers, stereos, cell phones etc.

Exceptionally heavy and bulky items	No heavy or bulky items such as pianos or organs.

Hazardous waste	No paints, motor oil, solvents. No fluorescent tubes and bulbs. No propane tanks. No household chemicals.

Plumbing fixtures	No tubs, sinks, toilets or hot tubs.

Recyclable materials	No newspapers, mixed paper, boxboard, corrugated cardboard, cans, glass, plastic containers.

Small scrap metal	No small scrap metal. "Small" is defined as a piece of scrap metal that you can fit in the trunk of a car. Small scrap metal can be dropped off at Hennepin Recycling and Problem Waste Drop-Off Center, 1400 West 96th Street.

Tires, batteries	No tires, batteries.

Yard waste, organic materials	No leaves, grass clippings, sod, stumps, logs, etc. No food waste.

Options for unaccepted items

South Hennepin Recycling and Problem Waste Drop-Off Center
1400 West 96th Street.

Electronic goods: TVs, computers, printers, stereos, cell phones etc.
Gas appliances: camper/other refrigerators, air conditioners - call ahead.
Hazardous waste: paints, motor oil, fluorescent tubes and bulbs, propane and other household chemicals.
Recyclable materials: Newspapers, mixed paper, boxboard, corrugated cardboard, cans, glass, and plastic containers.
SMALL NON-REFILLABLE propane cylinders - 1 pound canisters (look for DOT-39 on the label).
Tires and batteries.

Hennepin County Green Disposal Guide
Use this web link for these and other items not accepted during the Citywide Curbside Cleanup or at the Hennepin Recycling and Problem Waste Drop-Off Center.

Concrete/bricks.
Leaves, grass clippings, sod.
Porcelain (Tubs, sinks, toilets etc.).
Shingles (No asbestos).
Stumps.

Illegal dumping and rummagers

Hauling District	Cleanup Date
West of Normandale (Friday Hauling District)	TBA
Normandale to France (Thursday Hauling District)	TBA
France to Penn (Wednesday Hauling District)	TBA
Penn to Portland (Tuesday Hauling District)	TBA
East of Portland (Monday Hauling District)	TBA

Bulky item collection

Bulky Reuse & Recycling

Quantity Limits

Items Accepted

Large Items

Medium Items

Building materials

Tools

Citywide 2025 annual recycling drop-off event: Saturday, September 20th

Curbside Cleanup

These items are accepted for pickup

Appliances

Mattresses or box springs

Unusable furniture

BUNDLED brush

Other Bulky Items

Construction & Demolition Materials

Quantity limits apply

These items are not accepted

No general junk pile and no small items

Construction items from businesses or contractors

Electronics

Exceptionally heavy and bulky items

Hazardous waste

Plumbing fixtures

Recyclable materials

Small scrap metal

Tires, batteries

Yard waste, organic materials

Bulky Garbage Pickup

Contact Information

Utility Billing

Bulky item collection

Residential Solid Waste Program Links

Bulky Reuse & Recycling

Citywide 2025 annual recycling drop-off event: Saturday, September 20th

Curbside Cleanup

Bulky Garbage Pickup

Contact Information

Utility Billing