Multifamily Recycling: Apartments, condos and townhomes

Multifamily buildings are required to provide residents with the opportunity to recycle. Below is a summary of City, County, and State recycling requirements. This is not a comprehensive explanation of every rule referenced. Please visit the linked original rules or contact the City, County, or State for more information.

Solid Waste staff offer 30-minute recycling visits at your property. Visit blm.mn/recycling-visit to schedule a visit today.

After your visit, gain access to the following resources at no cost:

• Staff consultation to add or improve recycling at your property.
• High-quality labels and posters for your trash room dumpsters, carts, and chutes.
• Translated recycling guides.
• Recycling tote bags.
• In-person or virtual recycling training for residents or cleaning staff.
• Recycling grant tips and application assistance.
• Tailored tenant communications to improve recycling habits. 

Hennepin County provides funding, resources and assistance for apartment and condos to start or improve programs to divert recyclables and/or organics.

Funding options

The grant application period is currently closed and will reopen in January 2024.

Bin and compostable bag grants

Hennepin County offers grants for bins and compostable bags to start or improve recycling and/or organics recycling at multifamily properties. Applicants may select up to $3,000 worth of bins and compostable bags from the county's product list. Review the grant flyer (PDF) to learn more.

To apply:

• Review the 2023 Multifamily bin and compostable bag grant guidelines (PDF)
• For application materials, submit a multifamily recycling grant inquiry form

Recycling grants

Hennepin County offers grants for multifamily properties to improve recycling and reduce contamination, prevent waste or start organics recycling for composting. Areas of focus can include organics hauling service, construction of waste enclosures or chutes, bulky waste and waste prevention. Applicants may apply for up to $20,000 in funding. Review the grant flyer (PDF) to learn more.

To apply:

• Review the 2023 Multifamily recycling grant guidelines (PDF).
• For application materials, submit a multifamily recycling grant inquiry form.

Resources: signage and educational materials

A variety of resources are available to property managers and residents to use to help improve recycling and make it easier: free recycling storage bags, aluminum signage, labels, and educational resources.

Order free container labels, posters, and flyers.

Request assistance

Hennepin County staff are ready to help you start or improve recycling at your apartment or condo. They can help you assess your best options, review potential costs and savings, and determine the steps forward to improve your programs. Free assistance can be provided online or in-person.

Contact the apartment recycling program coordinator to request assistance by emailing apartmentrecycling@hennepin.us.

Do you live in an apartment, condo or townhome that doesn't have recycling? Do you often see plastic bags and other contaminants in your building's recycling bins?

Properties are required to provide recycling. If your building does not offer this or needs improvement, the city can help. Complete this anonymous form to notify City staff about a property with recycling issues. (Link coming soon.) We will use the information you provide to get in touch with your building's owner or management company and assist them in adding recycling service or improving recycling practices.