St. Paul Recycling Guide & 2026 Calendar
Single-stream recycling pickup is listed for Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Item-specific answers appear below.
St. Paul recycling calendar 2026
Regular collection days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Check the current holiday delay notice for changes to regular pickup.
A verified 2026 recycling calendar has not been provided. Get the official calendar and confirm your route.
Accepted & prohibited recycling
Accepted items
- Plastic containers labeled #1, #2, and #5 (bottles, jugs, and cups; replace caps)
- Food and beverage cans, aluminum foil, and pie tins (rinsed clean)
- Glass bottles and jars of all colors (empty and rinsed; remove caps)
- Cartons: milk cartons, juice boxes, soup and broth cartons (rinse and replace caps)
- Paper: office paper, newspaper, magazines, mail, and paper grocery bags (keep dry)
- Boxes: corrugated cardboard boxes (flattened) and delivery pizza boxes
Prohibited items
- Plastic bags and plastic film (never put recycling in plastic bags; place loose in cart)
- Plastics labeled #3, #4, #6, or #7 and black plastic containers
- Tanglers: hoses, electrical cords, ropes, chains, and holiday string lights
- Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam cups, food containers, and packaging)
- Food waste, liquids, and compostable plastics
- Batteries, light bulbs, electronics, and hazardous waste
Can you recycle these items in St. Paul?
Can you recycle cardboard in St. Paul?
AcceptedEmpty and flatten all cardboard boxes; place inside recycling cart.
Can you recycle pizza boxes in St. Paul?
AcceptedClean cardboard delivery pizza boxes are accepted; discard food scraps.
Can you recycle plastic #1 in St. Paul?
AcceptedPET #1 bottles and jugs rinsed clean; replace caps and place loose in cart.
Can you recycle plastic #2 in St. Paul?
AcceptedHDPE #2 jugs and bottles rinsed clean; leave caps on.
Can you recycle plastic #3 in St. Paul?
Not acceptedPVC #3 plastics are prohibited from Saint Paul single-sort carts.
Can you recycle plastic #4 in St. Paul?
Not acceptedPlastic shopping bags and stretch film are prohibited; bring to Ramsey County Environmental Center.
Can you recycle plastic #5 in St. Paul?
AcceptedPP #5 food tubs, yogurt cups, and containers rinsed clean are accepted.
Can you recycle plastic #6 in St. Paul?
Not acceptedPolystyrene and foam food containers are prohibited.
Can you recycle plastic #7 in St. Paul?
Not acceptedPlastics #7 and miscellaneous resins are prohibited.
Can you recycle glass in St. Paul?
AcceptedGlass bottles and jars rinsed clean; remove caps and place loose in cart.
Can you recycle aluminum in St. Paul?
AcceptedAluminum cans, foil, and baking trays rinsed clean; place loose in cart.
Can you recycle shredded paper in St. Paul?
Accepted with conditionsShredded paper is only accepted if placed inside a sealed paper bag.
DPW & sanitation contact
City of Saint Paul Department of Public Works · contractor
Phone: 651-266-6101
25 W. 4th StreetSaint Paul, MN 55102
These collection rules cover Zone Saint Paul Citywide Coordinated Routes.
Trash & recycling questions
What days is trash collected in St. Paul, MN?
Listed trash collection days are Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Set containers out Place carts at your regular collection location (curb or alley) by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day. All garbage must be bagged and fit inside the cart with the lid completely closed.. These rules apply to Zone Saint Paul Citywide Coordinated Routes.
Is garbage pickup delayed for holidays in St. Paul?
As of 2026-09-24: No observed holidays this week. Collections follow the regular schedule. A listed holiday shifts that day and the remaining collection days in its service week by one day. Observed holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. These rules apply to Zone Saint Paul Citywide Coordinated Routes.
How do I schedule bulk trash pickup in St. Paul?
Residents in 1 to 4 unit homes receive up to 12 bulky items collected per year per garbage cart at no additional charge. Advance scheduling is not required; simply place items at your regular collection spot by 6:00 a.m. on collection day with a sign labeled bulky. A truck will collect items within two business days. Mattresses and box springs are collected free through Second Chance Recycling. The listed limit is 12 items per pickup. Advance notice is not required under the listed rules. Contact sanitation at 651-266-6101 to confirm eligibility and arrange service. These rules apply to Zone Saint Paul Citywide Coordinated Routes.
What items are accepted for recycling in St. Paul?
The listed accepted materials are Plastic containers labeled #1, #2, and #5 (bottles, jugs, and cups; replace caps), Food and beverage cans, aluminum foil, and pie tins (rinsed clean), Glass bottles and jars of all colors (empty and rinsed; remove caps), Cartons: milk cartons, juice boxes, soup and broth cartons (rinse and replace caps), Paper: office paper, newspaper, magazines, mail, and paper grocery bags (keep dry), Boxes: corrugated cardboard boxes (flattened) and delivery pizza boxes. Keep these listed prohibited items out: Plastic bags and plastic film (never put recycling in plastic bags; place loose in cart), Plastics labeled #3, #4, #6, or #7 and black plastic containers, Tanglers: hoses, electrical cords, ropes, chains, and holiday string lights, Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam cups, food containers, and packaging), Food waste, liquids, and compostable plastics, Batteries, light bulbs, electronics, and hazardous waste. Confirm item-specific preparation rules with the official sanitation office. These rules apply to Zone Saint Paul Citywide Coordinated Routes.