Olmsted County Environmental Resources

10/27/2026

Power tool batteries, Bluetooth speakers and headphones, and even vapes and e-cigarettes all contain rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. When these items end up in the trash, they can spark dangerous fires in garbage trucks and at our waste facilities. If you charge it, don't discard it. Bring all rechargeable battery items to the Olmsted County Hazardous Waste Facility for safe disposal.

Learn more at olmstedcounty.gov/batterydisposal.

10/22/2026

Switching from plastic soap bottles to solid bar soaps is a quick way to cut down on everyday waste. Bar soaps often last longer and come with minimal packaging, which means less plastic heading to our Waste-to-Energy Facility and landfill.

Learn more about how to reduce your waste at olmstedcounty.gov/reducewaste.

10/20/2026

We want to hear from you! Tell us how we can improve our website by taking this quick survey.

Olmsted County wants your feedback! Please take a few moments to share your thoughts about our county website (www.olmstedcounty.gov).

The survey is available in three languages and will remain open through November 20, 2026.

Olmsted County encourages all community members to share their experiences and help shape the future of online county services.

www.olmstedcounty.gov/2026survey

10/19/2026

Residents at Forté Living have been helping create a more sustainable community since joining our Multifamily Composting Pilot in July!

By collecting their food scraps right in their kitchens and keeping them out of the trash, they're helping divert valuable organic material from our waste stream and turning it into something useful.

A big thank you to Forté Living for their commitment and for making composting a part of their everyday routine. Your efforts truly make a difference!

10/14/2026

Need some compost for some late season yard work? We just screened a bunch today!

There is no fee; however, donation boxes are available on-site for residents who wish to support the Olmsted County Compost Site's daily operations (not funded by property taxes).

10/12/2026

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries might be small, but the risks aren't. When damaged or crushed in the trash, they can start fires in garbage trucks or at our waste facilities. Keeping our workers and community safe starts with proper disposal. If you charge it, don't discard it. Bring all rechargeable batteries to the Olmsted County Hazardous Waste Facility.

Learn more at olmstedcounty.gov/batterydisposal.

10/09/2026

Switching to digital receipts and billing is an easy way to cut down on paper waste. Choosing email or app-based receipts means fewer paper slips that end up crumpled in pockets, tossed in trash bins, or sent to our Waste-to-Energy Facility and landfill.

Learn more about how to reduce your waste at olmstedcounty.gov/reducewaste.

10/02/2026

Our very own Lauren O'Brien Johnson, who works in Olmsted County Finance, painted the artwork featured on the new shed at the Yard Waste Compost Site.

Next time you're dropping off leaves or picking up finished compost, be sure to stop by and see Lauren's mural up close. It adds a wonderful splash of creativity and color to the compost site!

09/30/2026

Rechargeable batteries are everywhere—smartphones, laptops, electric toothbrushes, home healthcare devices, and more. When they end up in the trash, they can start fires in our garbage trucks, waste-to-energy facility, and landfill.

Preventing these fires is simple: if you charge it, don't discard it. Bring all items with rechargeable batteries to the Olmsted County Hazardous Waste Facility for safe disposal.

Learn more at olmstedcounty.gov/batterydisposal.

09/29/2026

Exciting progress continues on the new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)! Check out the link below to learn more.

A Materials Recovery Facility, or MRF, is a place where recyclables are sorted so they can be reused instead of thrown away. Olmsted County’s new MRF will help our community recycle more, keep reusable materials out of the landfill, and support a cleaner environment. Construction of the MRF continued to make steady progress in September 2026, and several big steps are coming soon.

Read more about the project's progress on our website: https://www.olmstedcounty.gov/government/county-news-events/county-news/monthly-construction-update-olmsted-countys-new-materials-recovery-facility-mrf