Industrial/Commercial Solid Waste

Businesses: waste that is not typical or regular garbage, such as ash, dust collector fines, metal filings, paint residue, paint filters, sludge, epoxy, fiberglass, infectious waste, lighting fixtures etc. may be considered “Industrial solid wastes.” These types of wastes may require special testing and handling to assure proper disposal at the lowest possible cost. For more information on industrial waste management in Steele County, call the Steele County Environmental Services office at 507-444-7475.

Infectious Waste

Infectious waste includes blood, laboratory waste or other regulated body fluids and sharps that have not been decontaminated.

Household generators of sharps must be managed carefully, as needles and other sharps can injure garbage haulers and workers at the Steele County Landfill. Sharps generated at home should be placed in a puncture resistant container such as a heavy plastic liquid laundry detergent bottle with a screw on cap. Label the container “Household sharps – Do not recycle” and keep the container tightly closed after placing sharps inside. When the container is half full, screw the cap on, duck tape the cap onto the bottle and place it in household trash. Additional options for home sharps disposal can be found in a fact sheet produced by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency:  Online Fact Sheet

Business generators of infectious and pathological waste are required to contact the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, www.pca.state.mn.us

Insulation

Loads of sheetrock/drywall, plaster, metal, insulation, roofing/shingles, siding, bricks, concrete etc. from demolition of buildings may be brought to the Steele County Landfill for disposal in the demolition (non-lined) area of the landfill. Click here for more information about the Steele County Landfill and for the list of materials that can and cannot be disposed in the demolition area. There will be a charge for disposal. Make certain to separate hazardous materials and garbage from construction/demolition debris. If they are not separated from building materials, the load will be required to pay the higher disposal fee for Mixed Municipal Solid Waste in the lined portion of the landfill.