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Beat the bin: Join the movement to out-recycle trash

City News March 31, 2026

Freeborn County officially recycled more than it trashed last year, diverting 22,280 tons of material away from landfills. While a major win for the environment, the community still sent 18,693 tons of garbage to landfills, a number that local officials are challenging residents and businesses to cut even more this year.

To help increase recycling and preserve land for other uses, take advantage of the following resources.

Recycling with no sorting
Waste Management provides single-stream recycling carts to residents

  • Acceptable items: Clean plastic, glass, metal, and paper. Note that paper and plastic cups are now accepted.
  • No plastic bags: Plastic bags tangle in sorting machines and can shut down the entire facility. Residents should keep recyclables loose in the cart or use paper bags to contain them.
  • Additional capacity: Residents can contact Freeborn County Environmental Services for a second cart at no extra charge.

Responsible electronics recycling
Electronics contain heavy metals like lead and mercury. Instead of tossing old “tube” TVs or broken laptops into the garbage, residents can bring them to the Environmental Services facility. A small fee ensures these materials are stripped and reused rather than buried.

  • $10: Flat-screen TVs, monitors, central processing units (CPUs), laptops and printers.
  • $20: Large console or projection TVs and CRT TVs or monitors more than 32 inches.
  • No charge: Keyboards, computer mice and connecting wires.

Free disposal for household hazardous waste
Many items labeled as “trash” are actually hazardous and can leach into the groundwater from a landfill. Freeborn County Environmental Services, 2020 Pioneer Trail, offers free drop-off for household hazardous waste to all county residents:

  • Drop-off hours: Wednesdays, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Items accepted: Paints, stains, thinners, pesticides, herbicides, household cleaners, solvents, and automotive fluids like antifreeze and brake fluid.

For more information about recycling

Transfer Station as a last resort
Using the Transfer Station for everyday items costs more and stresses the environment more. Items that can’t be recycled or reused may be taken to the Transfer Station, 2506 W. Richway Drive:

  • Non-recyclable items: Demolition debris, old furniture or non-recyclable garbage.
  • Composting: The Transfer Station accepts brush and lawn debris from residents with annual permits. The permits are $13 per year, or free if signing up with the Shell Rock River Watershed District to keep a storm sewer drain clear of debris (www.shellrock.org).

Summer hours begin April 1:

  • Monday: 3 – 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 3 – 7 p.m.
  • Thursday: Closed
  • Friday: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Saturday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Sunday: Closed

Reminder: The Transfer Station accepts only credit cards and checks; no cash is accepted.

Spring cleanup: April 25
The City of Albert Lea will hold its annual spring cleanup on Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to noon.Residents with proof of city residency may deposit the following at the Transfer Station:

  • No charge: One load of brush, yard waste, household garbage or demolition debris
  • $10 each: Appliances, sofas and mattresses
  • $5 each: Furniture pieces
  • $3 each: Passenger car tires
  • Regular rates: Rims and electronics

For more information, visit www.cityofalbertlea.org/departments/waste-disposal-and-recycling or call 507-377-4325.

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The City of Albert Lea’s mission is to deliver exceptional services that enhance the quality of life for current and future generations.

Freeborn County’s Environmental Services mission is to promote environmental health through air, land, and water natural resource protection, while also promoting safety and general welfare through land use regulation and zoning.