Frequently asked

ClearPath Help Center

Real questions from real residents, answered honestly. Still stuck? Email support@tann.app. A real person reads every message within one business day.

What is ClearPath?

ClearPath is a civic disposal-guidance tool. You type or photograph an item (a mattress, an old battery, a paint can, a microwave), and we show you the right way to get rid of it for your specific location, with citations from the federal, state, county, and city rules that apply. Every answer includes the source, so you can verify it yourself.

Is this Hennepin County’s official tool?

ClearPath is not officially endorsed by Hennepin County. We are an independent platform that sources our guidance from Hennepin County's public rules (hennepincounty.gov), the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the federal EPA, and other official sources — with a citation shown next to every answer. Treat the citation as the authority. ClearPath is the tool that helps you find the right answer faster.

Why do you need my ZIP code?

Disposal rules are local. A mattress in Minneapolis goes to a different drop-off than a mattress in Eden Prairie. We use your ZIP to find the rules that apply to you: your county, your city, and any seasonal windows in effect. That way the answer is not generic. We do not share your ZIP with third parties.

How is this free?

ClearPath is always free for residents. The platform is funded by hauler partnerships, pickup transactions between residents and verified haulers, and county and city partnerships — never by residents. There are no ads. There is no upsell. There is no future "residents will pay" plan. See /changelog.

What if ClearPath gives me the wrong answer?

Tap the This was wrong button on the verdict page. Your feedback lands in an admin queue we review every weekday morning. If the rule needs to change, we update it within 1–2 business days and notify other residents who got the same wrong answer in the last 30 days.

If the answer is safety-relevant (a wrong route on a hazardous item), email support@tann.app directly so we can respond within hours instead of days.

How do pickups work?

ClearPath matches you with a verified local hauler who serves your ZIP and category. After you submit a pickup request, a hauler claims it (usually within 24-48 hours), schedules with you, and provides proof-of-service photos when the item is collected. You see a guaranteed payout up front. The hauler sees the same number from the county rate card.

If no hauler currently serves your ZIP, we will tell you up front and put you on a notify-list for when coverage expands. We never let you submit a pickup that has no chance of being claimed.

Why didn’t the photo scan recognize my item?

Two things help most: one item in frame, and good lighting. If the photo includes multiple items or a busy background, our vision model has to guess which one you are asking about. Try cropping closer or taking a single flat lay. You can always switch to text mode. Typing "old microwave" works just as well as scanning it.

Will my data be sold?

No. We never sell resident data. We never share individual verdicts with third parties. The pilot collects aggregate patterns ("10 residents in 55401 asked about latex paint this week") to improve coverage and to share with the county for planning. That is it.

See /privacy for the full plain-English version.

Can I delete my account?

Yes. Email support@tann.app from the address on your account. We acknowledge within one business day and complete deletion within 30 days. You will receive confirmation when it is done.

My ZIP isn’t covered. What now?

Federal and state rules still apply to you, and ClearPath will show them. Local pickup, drop-off recommendations, and county-specific guidance get added when ClearPath onboards your area. Use the Request coverage button on /check. Every request helps us prioritize where to expand next.

What does “pilot” mean?

ClearPath is early. The first group of residents (you may be one of them) is shaping how the product evolves. Your feedback is not throwaway — it changes the next week's rules and features. Our privacy policy and terms are currently written in plain language by our team and will be reviewed by lawyers before the broader public launch.
Still stuck?

A real person reads every message

Email support@tann.app with your ZIP and what you're trying to throw out. We reply within one business day.

For urgent local disposal questions, Hennepin County Recycling Info is 612-348-3777.

See also: Privacy · Terms · Trust dashboard · What's new