Special Wastes
The following materials are required by Minnesota State Law to be recycled. In most cases, citizens must pay to recycle these items. Charges may vary with the place of business and type of material.
- TIRES.
- Most tire dealers accept tires for recycling. Tires may also be recycled at the Steele County Landfill and the Steele County Recycling Center in Owatonna for a fee.
- VEHICLE BATTERIES.
- Businesses that sell automotive (lead acid) batteries accept used batteries for recycling. The Steele County Recycling Center in Owatonna also accepts vehicle batteries for recycling for a fee.
- USED MOTOR OIL AND MOTOR OIL FILTERS
- Steele County has two tanks for used oil which may be used by the public free of charge: one at the Steele County Landfill and another at the Steele County Recycling Center off State Ave & Cty. Rd 45 in Owatonna. Full service auto centers often accept used oil as well. Many places that sell oil filters accept them for recycling for a fee.
- MAJOR APPLIANCES
- These are accepted for recycling at the Steele County Recycling Center, the Steele County Landfill and by many appliance dealers. Some garbage haulers accept appliances for recycling as well.
- FLUORESCENT LAMPS
- All area hardware stores accept fluorescent bulbs for recycling for a small fee, as does The Retrofit Companies (TRC) on Hwy. 14 in Owatonna.
- RECHARGEABLE HOUSHOLD BATTERIES
- While disposable batteries (e.g. AA, AAA, C, 9 Volt) may be disposed in household garbage, rechargeable batteries are required to be recycled once they no longer hold a charge. Many retail stores accept rechargeable batteries for recycling free of charge, such as Radio Shack, hardware stores, Lowe’s, Target and Wal-Mart. Ask at the Service Counter.
- ELECTRONIC GOODS(computers and TVs and other video display devices).
- The Retrofit Companies (TRC) and the Steele County/Waste Management Recycling Center, both in Owatonna, and the Steele County Landfill near Blooming Prairie recycle these for various fees. Due to an agreement with the State of Minnesota, SONY products are accepted at the Recycling Center free of charge. It is illegal for residents-as well as businesses-to dispose of TV sets, computer monitors or any electronic with a video display in a Minnesota landfill.
- All Best Buy stores also accept electronics for recycling from consumers. Go to www.bestbuy.com/recycling
Hazardous Waste
Steele County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
- (no charge for Steele County residents to use)
Open: May through September
Location: Steele County Landfill
Hwy. 218 near Bixby
(approximately 12 miles south of Owatonna)
Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays
9 a.m. to noon first and third Saturdays and by appointment
Phone: Landfill 507-583-7766
Recycling Hotline 507-451-5443
Rice County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
- (no charge for Steele County residents to use)
Open: Year round
Location: Rice County Recycling Center
1 mile east of Hwy. 3 between Faribault and Northfield
Hours: 7:30 - 3:30 Monday through Friday
7:30 - 11:30 2nd Saturday/November through March
7:30 - 11:30 2nd and 4th Saturdays/April through October
Phone: Rice County Recycling Center 507-332-6833
Hazardous wastes from businesses which generate small quantities of wastes (VSQG)
Businesses which generate 220 pounds or less of hazardous waste per month may dispose of their wastes by bringing them to either the Rice County Hazardous Waste Facility near Faribault or the Olmsted County Hazardous Waste Facility in Rochester. Although businesses will be charged for the disposal costs, it is typically much cheaper for a business to use one of these facilities than to work directly with a hazardous waste contractor. For more information on the programs for VSQG wastes, call the Rice County Facility at 507-332-6833 or the Olmsted County Facility at 507-281-6222.
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