Garbage and Recycling changes Jan. 1
The City of Columbia Heights began a new residential garbage/recycling contract with Veolia Environmental Services that started January 1, 2010. The daily collection schedule will not change but other changes have taken place including:
Recycling has changed to single-sort recycling so materials do not need to be separated.
64-gallon carts are used for residential units and 96-gallon wheeled carts for multi-family units with lids provided by the contractor.
Recycling collections are conducted at the same location as garbage (i.e. in the alley as permitted).
Recycling collections are conducted every other week.
Multi-unit properties with two-yard and smaller dumpsters may utilize 96-gallon carts for refuse.
Ensures multi-unit properties have single-sort recycling containers.
If you still have a BFI/Allied Waste (blue) refuse/recycling container, call their customer service at 763-784-2104 to arrange for retrieval of the container.
You can also follow this link to Veolias website Veolias website.
Please call the hauler at 763-225-8705 if you have been missed on the collection route, or contact them via e-mail at the following address: ColumbiaHeights-SW@VeoliaES.com
Refuse Collection
The City contracts for all residential refuse and recycling collections in the City. The hauler will pick up residential refuse, provided it is placed in the proper container. Three service levels are offered to residents; Low volume 32-gallon service, Limited Service with a 64-gallon cart or Full Service with a 96-gallon cart. All collections are weekly. Additional material (not to exceed the equivalent of three containers) or large items, such as furniture, will be picked up only as part of the 96-gallon “Full Service” level. Multi-dwelling properties may not have additional garbage or rubbish outside of the containers at any time, except for large items such as furniture.
Residents with alleys should put their garbage cans and any extra items at the alley line for pickup. Residents who have no alley should place their containers at the curb on their scheduled collection day.
Garbage and recycling materials should not be brought to the curb until the evening before the scheduled collection day and containers should be retrieved that same day. The hauler's phone number is 763-225-8705.
Collection Days
Generally the collection routes are as described below.
Monday: East of Central, north of 44th
Tuesday: East of Central, south of 44th to 39th
Wednesday: West of Central to east side of 7th St
Thursday: East of University, west of 7th St.
Friday: West of University between 37th and 45th Avenue NE & East of Central South of 39th
Holiday Schedule
Only major holidays affect garbage and recycling collections. If the holiday falls during the week, collections will be one day late, following the major holiday. Major holidays are New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. See Veolia ES website or call customer service at 763-225-8705 concerning their holiday collection schedule.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is picked up April through November: Bagged or bundled yard waste, set on the curb in front of your home is collected on your regular collection day. Please call Veolia ES for the exact start and end dates for yard waste collection at 763-225-8705.
New Yard Waste Bags Required as of January 1
All Columbia Heights residents will be affected by a new state law regarding yard waste bags that goes into effect on January 1, 2010, in the seven-county metro area, according to information provided by the Anoka County Integrated Waste Management Department. When using plastic bags to dispose of yard waste, metro residents must use a bag that meets ASTM D6400 standards for compostability. The City’s waste contractor will no longer accept yard waste in bags that do not meet the new requirements starting January 1st. Be aware of bags that use deceptive claims of degradable bags. Stores that sell yard waste bags should ensure the proper bags are clearly marked. Regular plastic bags are a major contaminant at compost sites and reduce the quality of the finished compost. Approximately 30 manufacturers in North America produce the compliant bags and they use a compostable logo. Information about the logo and certified vendors is available at http://www.bpiworld.org/Minnesota. Call Veolia ES customer service 763-225-8705 with questions concerning yard waste collection.
Electronics Recycling
As of July 1, 2006, electronics with CRT's, such as televisions and computer monitors, cannot be put in with the trash in Columbia Heights. However, these items will be taken with appliances. Residents can call Veolia ES 763-225-8705 and request a collection.
An alternate solution is to recycle your electronics.
Generally the collection routes are as described below.
Take-Back Programs: Some manufacturers and retailers will take back your old electronics for recycling.
Appliances are collected curbside as part of the recycling program. Each residential unit is allowed one appliance disposal per year at no charge. There will be a charge for additional appliances by the City contractor. It is necessary to call and request this service directly from the hauler at 763-225-8705.
Recycling
Columbia Heights offers complete residential recycling service through a private contractor. If you are in need of a recycling bin, please call Veolia ES at 763-225-8705. Single-sort items collected at curbside include; newspapers, mixed paper, corrugated cardboard, glass bottles and jars, metal food and beverage containers, phone books, and plastic bottles. Recycling should be placed in the same location as refuse for collection. Collections are conducted every other week on the same day as refuse. See the Garbage and Recycling Schedule Map for collection days in your area. You can also follow this link to Veolias website.
Please call the hauler at 763-225-8705 if you have been missed on the collection route, or contact them via e-mail at the following address: ColumbiaHeights-SW@VeoliaES.com.
Items picked up with curbside recycling:
Glass Bottles and Jars - green, brown and clear bottles or jars
Cans - food and beverage- steel, tin and aluminum cans
Newspapers- put in a paper bag or tie
Mixed Paper - letters, envelopes, junk mail. Put in a paper bag
Boxboard- cereal, chip and cake mix boxes. Remove liners and add to mixed paper bag
Magazines & Catalogs - put in paper bag or tie into bundle.
Plastic Bottles- bottles only (with necks)
Corrugated Cardboard - flatten and bundle -no larger than 3'x3'
Phone Books- accepted all year
Columbia Heights Recycling Drop-off Center
The Recycling Center is located at 3801 Madison Street NE, and is open on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The center is staffed by volunteers from the local Kiwanis groups and is closed on holiday weekends. Items accepted at the center are:
corrugated cardboard
metal cans
newspaper, office paper magazines and mixed paper
plastic bottles and phone books
a tank for used motor oil is also available for Columbia Heights residence only. Motor OIL ONLY
oil filters available for Columbia Heights residence only.
scrap metal
Columbia Heights residents may bring up to four car or light truck tires annually to the center for disposal. All tires must be off the rim or they cannot be accepted.
Fluorescent Bulb Collections 1st Saturday in May & October Annually
Used fluorescent bulbs are collected at the Columbia Heights Recycle Center at 3801 Madison St. twice a year. No charge for Columbia Heights residents or Xcel Energy customers. Residents and businesses may bring up to 10 bulbs for free disposal. Residents from other cities served by Xcel Energy are also welcome. Bring an Xcel Energy bill and ID.
10 bulbs per household
1st Saturday in May & 1st Saturday in October
9 AM to 1 PM
Please do not tape bulbs together
Recycle and Reuse Opportunity
Visit the on-line recycling directory at www.AnokaCounty.us/Recycle for a comprehensive list of materials and items that can be recycled or reused such as used motor oil, aluminum cans, propane tanks, cardboard, plastic bottles, and fluorescent bulbs. For each directory item, there is a list of places in or near Anoka County where residents can go to recycle it either free of charge or for a small fee.
For more information on recycling visit the Rethink Recycling webpage provided by the The Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) in the six-county Twin Cities metro area (the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington).
Anoka County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
Free service for Anoka County residents only (no businesses or organizations), bring photo ID. Visit the Anoka County website for materials accepted and instructions for safe transport of the product. All items should be left in original containers.
Examples of what to bring to the HHW facility:
Aerosol cans that have contents remaining, antifreeze, driveway sealer, gasoline and other fuels, mercury, paint (liquid only), paint stripper, paint thinner, pesticides, used motor oil, used oil filters, varnish, wood preservatives, and other household products that are corrosive, flammable, combustible or poisonous.
Do not bring:
Ammunition, appliances, asbestos, batteries, computers, electronics, empty containers, fluorescent lamps, or tires.
For disposal options for these unacceptable materials, use the Anoka County web search link, or call Anoka County Integrated Waste Management Department (763) 323-5730, or e-mail recycle@co.anoka.mn.us.
Hours:
Closed holidays
Wednesday – 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (April to October only)
Saturday - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
