Trash & Recycling

Trash Collection

Apple Valley licenses private firms to provide trash collection services to residents. The City is divided into hauling zones. The licensed contractors must serve the customers within each zone on an assigned day. View the garbage and recycling collection ordinance.

Recycling

All residents and commercial properties, including multifamily, in Dakota County, must recycle. See the recycling list for what to recycle and what to leave out. All haulers serving Dakota County must accept these items. 

The City of Apple Valley joined with the cities of Burnsville, Lakeville, and Eagan to jointly administer the Cities' recycling programs as Dakota Valley Recycling.

More information on recycling can be found at the joint Dakota Valley Recycling website. Remember, household hazardous products require special disposal. The Dakota County Recycling Zone is available to accept your household hazardous waste (products labeled dangerous, flammable, combustible, poisonous, or corrosive).

Garbage containers at curb along street

What to Recycle

Recycling at home is easy once you know what goes in your recycling bin. Check the list below for what to recycle and what to leave out. 

Follow these rules to ensure your recycling gets recycled:

  • Do not use plastic bags. Place recyclables loose in your recycling cart or in a paper bag.
  • Empty and dry bottles, jars, and containers. They don't have to be perfect — just free of most residue.
  • Leave caps on containers.
  • Empty and flatten boxes.
  • Check the Recycling Guide if you are not sure about an item.

Put these items in your recycling 

Paper:

  • Newspaper and inserts
  • Magazines and catalogs
  • Mail and office papers 

Cardboard:

  • Corrugated cardboard
  • Paperboard (e.g., cracker boxes) 

Cartons:

  • Milk and juice cartons
  • Soup, broth, and wine cartons
  • Juice boxes 

Metal cans:

  • Aluminum, tin, and steel cans 

Glass bottles and jars:

Plastic bottles, containers, and jugs:

  • Containers numbered 1, 2 or 5
  • Soda, juice, and water bottles
  • Milk and juice jugs
  • Margarine, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and other tubs and lids
  • Laundry detergent bottles and jugs
  • Clear berry and produce containers

DO NOT put these items in your recycling cart:

  • Batteries
  • Food and liquids
  • Paper plates, cups, and napkins
  • Plastic bags and wrap 
  • Shredded paper
  • Styrofoam
  • Tanglers (e.g., chains, extension cords, hoses, string lights)
  • Trash

Tips on Managing Trash and Recycling Containers

View a slideshow that explains trash container storage requirements and shares best practices for container storage.

Multifamily Recycling Requirements

Residents are required to recycle. Dakota County provides technical assistance, in-person education, and funding to start or improve recycling at apartments, condominiums, townhomes, and independent senior living. Learn more. 

Event Recycling Requirements

Dakota County requires event sponsors to ensure trash and recycling are collected at all events. Dakota Valley Recycling provides free event resources to support recycling and food scrap collection. Learn more. 

County Recycling Resources

Business Recycling Program

Eligible businesses can receive funding to help reduce waste and start or improve recycling or food scrap collection. No match is required. All businesses can get technical assistance, free container labels, and educational resources. Learn more.

School Recycling Program

Grants are available to help prevent wasted food, reduce waste, improve recycling and food scrap collection, and educate students and staff. Request free recycling education performances, field trips, container labels, and activity guides. Learn more.

Environmental Education Resources

Residents, businesses, schools, and organizations are welcome to use free article templates, handouts, activity kits, and more to educate about recycling, food scraps, household hazardous waste, and waste prevention. Learn more.