RecycleCarver - Carver County Environmental Services

09/05/2026

In observance of Labor Day, The Environmental Center in Chaska and recycling drop off sites in Cologne, Mayer and Norwood Young America will be closed today Saturday, September 5. The Cologne site will also be closed Monday, September 7.

https://www.carvercountymn.gov/departments/public-services/environmental-services/recycle/rural-recycling-drop-off-sites

09/04/2026

Clean Out Your Home & Garage Responsibly!

Fall Special Waste Collection Event in Hollywood Township
Saturday, September 12
8:00 AM–12:00 PM

Safely dispose of household hazardous waste, electronics, tires, appliances, and more. Some items are free to drop off, others require a small fee.

See the full list of accepted and not accepted items: https://www.carvercountymn.gov/departments/public-services/environmental-services/recycle/special-waste-collections

Can’t make it? Visit the Carver County Environmental Center in Chaska – open year-round:
https://www.carvercountymn.gov/departments/public-services/environmental-services/environmental-center

FB event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1355519516322573

09/04/2026

Blue-green algae blooms can have a number of causes, but excess nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen can contribute to their growth. Fertilizer runoff is one way these nutrients can reach our lakes and waterways.

You can help by using fertilizer responsibly. Apply only what your lawn or plants need, follow the label directions, and avoid applying fertilizer before heavy rain.

Have too much fertilizer or old fertilizer you no longer need? Bring it to the Carver County Environmental Center, where we can accept it for responsible disposal free of charge.

Every little bit helps protect the lakes and waterways we all enjoy.

https://www.carvercountymn.gov/departments/public-services/environmental-services/environmental-center

Beach at Lake Waconia Regional Park Temporarily Closed Due to Suspected Blue-Green Algae

Out of an abundance of caution, the beach at Lake Waconia Regional Park is temporarily closed to all water recreation until further notice due to a suspected blue-green algae bloom in Lake Waconia.

The following activities are not permitted at the beach during the closure:

• Swimming
• Wading
• Launching watercraft

Thank you for your patience as we work to help keep visitors safe. We will share updates as more information becomes available.

Learn more about blue-green algae and harmful algal blooms from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency:
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/blue-green-algae-and-harmful-algal-blooms?fbclid=IwY2xjawUDwIdwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMWNJNG1YVkJETW9ZV2JqNWFzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEej953RlV00mUW_BN77yXNk5WjJIfPIbBRlm_9JQhaCWh50ohjwRNQvo8ic4k_aem_IzhaJb-IXJs8kk-Kyj1YWw

09/03/2026

Nickel cadmium batteries contain cadmium, which can be toxic to the environment. These batteries can be found in things like power tools, garden path lights and remote-controlled cars.

Be a battery hero and bring all batteries to the Environmental Center: https://www.carvercountymn.gov/departments/public-services/environmental-services/environmental-center

Or find a drop-off location near you. https://www.call2recycle.org/locator/

09/02/2026

Don’t be afraid of a little dirt—composting is easier than you think!

When you recycle organics, you’re building healthier soil and keeping nutrients where they belong. It’s a simple way to reduce waste and make a big difference... and it’s available near you.

Find a drop site near you and start making that small difference that counts.

Learn more: https://lovetocompost.com/

Brought to you by the Minnesota Composting Council

09/01/2026

In observance of Labor Day, The Environmental Center in Chaska and recycling drop off sites in Cologne, Mayer and Norwood Young America will be closed this Saturday, September 5. The Cologne site will also be closed Monday, September 7.

https://www.carvercountymn.gov/departments/public-services/environmental-services/recycle/rural-recycling-drop-off-sites

08/31/2026

The fall agricultural, marine and greenhouse plastic recycling collection period runs September 1 through November 2.

Important location change: Due to road construction, the drop-off site has moved from the Carver County Public Works location to the City of Cologne Public Works & Recycling Site, 304 Louis St. W., Cologne. The two locations are just down the road from each other.

Thanks to a partnership between Carver County Environmental Services, Revolution Plastics and the UMN Extension, local farmers and businesses have recycled more than 139,000 pounds of agricultural, marine and greenhouse plastics since the program began.

A big thank you to our friends at the City of Cologne!

Visit our website to learn more about the program, accepted materials and how to participate: https://www.carvercountymn.gov/departments/public-services/environmental-services/recycle/agricultural-plastic

08/30/2026

DON’T DO THIS: Cut a lithium-ion battery in half

This battery was brought to the Environmental Center after someone cut it in half.

They were lucky. Cutting into lithium-ion batteries can cause the cells to react, catch fire or go into thermal runaway.

Don’t cut, crush or puncture batteries. Never put them in the trash or recycling.

The Environmental Center accepts lithium-ion batteries up to 500 watt-hours. Larger batteries should be returned to the manufacturer or taken to another program that accepts them.

https://www.carvercountymn.gov/departments/public-services/environmental-services/environmental-center

08/29/2026

About 30% of Carver County’s 48,000 homes were built before 1980. As these homes are remodeled or torn down, they create a huge amount of leftover building materials.

To keep usable items out of the landfill, Carver County has launched a Building Material Reuse Program in partnership with Home Again Furnishings and Nordic Waste , with support from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Here’s how you can get involved:

The ReClaim-It Store – Located inside Home Again Furnishings in Waconia. Shop or donate salvaged building materials and watch for free material swaps held four times a year.

Drop-Off Site in Norwood Young America – In partnership with Nordic Waste. Residents can drop off or pick up usable building materials for free. More sites are planned for 2026!

Deconstruction & Reuse Grants – Planning a remodel? You may qualify for a micro-grant to help carefully remove materials (deconstruction) or purchase reclaimed items.

Learn how to take advantage of this program at www.ReclaimItCarver.org

Together, we can reduce construction waste and give building materials a second life!