Ramsey County, MN — disposal guide
Verified disposal rules for Ramsey County residents. Covers St Paul, Roseville, Maplewood, White Bear Lake, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, North St Paul, and the rest of the county's ~550,000 residents. ClearPath sources every rule from ramseycounty.us + Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) + EPA Universal Waste — with a citation on every answer.
Looking up a specific item for Ramsey County?
Type the item + your ZIP at /check — verified local rule + nearest drop-off in seconds. Free.
Household hazardous waste (HHW)
Ramsey County runs a permanent HHW facility (Bay West) and seasonal collection events. Free to residents for: paint, motor oil, antifreeze, pesticides, cleaning chemicals, fluorescent bulbs, lithium-ion batteries, and similar items. Most items don't need to be on a list — if it's hazardous and used in a household, they take it. Appointment recommended for large drop-offs.
Electronics & TVs
Minnesota bans all CRT and flat-panel TVs from landfill (Minn. Stat. § 115A.9301). Ramsey HHW accepts e-waste free of charge. Best Buy and Staples are the easier everyday option for laptops, phones, and small electronics — both offer free recycling at every store.
Paint
Minnesota is a PaintCare state. Drop both latex and oil-based paint at any participating retailer — most paint stores in Ramsey participate (Hirshfield's, Sherwin-Williams, Kelly-Moore, and dozens more). Find the nearest at paintcare.org. Free and faster than HHW for paint specifically.
Organics & yard waste
St Paul launched curbside organics pickup in 2024 — residents with city trash service can opt in for a small monthly fee. Other Ramsey cities (Roseville, Maplewood) run drop-off organics programs. Yard waste is picked up curbside seasonally — check your city's schedule.
Bulky items & furniture
St Paul Public Works offers two free bulk pickups per year for residents. Other Ramsey cities have their own schedules (often $20-50 per item). Mattresses must be bagged. Furniture can also go to Bridging.org (free donation pickup for working furniture).
Recycling — curbside basics
Single-stream recycling (paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass, plastics #1, #2, #5) is curbside in every Ramsey city. Plastic bags and styrofoam are NEVER curbside — return plastic bags to grocery-store drop-bins, styrofoam to UPS Store or specialty centers.
Find your specific Ramsey County rule
The categories above are the broad strokes. ClearPath returns the verified specific rule for your exact item + ZIP code — including the nearest drop-off address and hours. Free, no signup required.
Check disposal rules for Ramsey County →Ramsey County disposal FAQ
Where is the Ramsey County HHW drop-off?
The county's primary HHW facility is Bay West (5 Empire Drive, St Paul). Seasonal collection events run at other locations throughout the year. Free for Ramsey residents — appointment recommended for large drop-offs. ClearPath shows the current address and hours when you sign in.
Does St Paul have curbside organics?
Yes, since 2024 St Paul offers opt-in curbside organics for residents with city trash service. Small monthly fee. Other Ramsey cities (Roseville, Maplewood) run drop-off organics programs instead.
How many bulky pickups does St Paul give per year?
St Paul Public Works offers two free bulk-item pickups per year for residents — typically used for furniture, mattresses, or appliances. Other Ramsey cities have their own bulk-pickup schedules (often $20-50 per item).
Where do I take paint in Ramsey County?
Minnesota is a PaintCare state — drop both latex and oil-based paint at any PaintCare-participating retailer. Most paint stores in Ramsey participate (Hirshfield's, Sherwin-Williams, Kelly-Moore). Free. Find the nearest at paintcare.org. The county HHW also accepts paint.
Can I throw a TV in the trash in Ramsey County?
No. Minnesota bans all TVs (CRT and flat-panel) from landfill statewide (Minn. Stat. § 115A.9301). Take to Ramsey HHW (free), Best Buy, or Staples.
How do I dispose of yard waste in Ramsey?
Most Ramsey cities have curbside yard-waste pickup seasonally (April-November typically). Check your city's specific schedule. Some accept compostable bags; some require paper bags only.