To be in compliance with county requirements, all haulers in Dakota County must provide weekly recycling service to their residential customers starting in 2022. The county requirement was adopted to meet state requirements for county programs. 

DSI is responsible for providing all residential sanitation services, including collection, disposal and billing.

Simply verify your account information by using the online form. You can also sign up for automatic bill pay and enroll in service notifications to remind you of your service days and holiday changes. To verify your account, visit FarmingtonMN.gov/Verify. 

No. As part of the contract, DSI is purchasing the existing trash carts owned by the city and will continue to use those existing carts for waste collection. 

Generally, there will be a $4 increase from the current rates that provide for every other week recycling. The schedule incorporates a 3% annual escalator. The quarterly residential combined trash and recycling rates for the first 5-year term of the contract are listed below:

Container Size	Current Rates	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026
35 Gallon	$62.16	$66.21	$68.20	$70.24	$72.35	$74.52
65 Gallon	$77.03	$81.09	$83.52	$86.03	$88.61	$91.27
90 Gallon	$90.54	$94.59	$97.43	$100.35	$103.36	$106.46

For questions regarding service or account verification with DSI, call them directly at 952-469-2239 or email them at [email protected]. 

Any city within Minnesota with a population of 1,000 or more must ensure that every residential household and business in the city has solid waste collection service. The City of Farmington is among about 45 other metro cities that have organized trash and recycling collection services to ensure the state requirements are met. Farmington has been providing solid waste service to the community in this manner dating back to the 1947. 

In general, organized collection provides for more efficient collection with the least impact. Without an organized collection system, multiple haulers can service the same area. This results in multiple heavy trucks traveling on each city street on different days of the week. This leads to increased wear and tear on the pavement, traffic safety concerns, especially around children and increased truck emissions. In addition, having carts out within a neighborhood on multiple days of the week can be considered an aesthetic issue.

The Minnesota Waste Management Act sets forth a hierarchy for waste disposal and is intended to divert trash from landfills.  The state encourages achieving these disposal goals by working with counties and cities.  Farmington meets this hierarchy by transferring trash to the Red Wing Waste Recovery Facility where it is processed and then utilized for waste-to-energy.  This keeps our waste out of landfills.

Please follow these guidelines for trash pickup:

• Place containers at the curb or alley by 7 a.m. on your collection day. Routes may change and your driver may collect in your neighborhood at a different time of day from week to week.

• Bag and tie your trash to prevent litter and avoid attracting pests.

• Keep containers behind the curb and off of the street.

• Trash containers need at least 5 feet of clearance on both sides from mail boxes, recycle carts, utility poles, fences, basketball hoops, etc., allowing access for the mechanical arm on the truck. Containers should have at least 15 feet of clearance from vehicles. 

• If you need a different size container, contact DSI at 952-469-2239 or email them at [email protected].

All residents and commercial properties, including multifamily, in Dakota County must recycle a designated list of materials and all haulers serving Dakota County must accept these items.

Follow these rules to ensure your recycling gets recycled: · Do not use plastic bags. Place recyclables loose in your recycling cart or in a paper bag.

· Empty and dry bottles, jars and containers. They don't have to be perfect — just free of most residue.

· Leave caps on containers.

· Empty and flatten boxes. · Check the Recycling Guide if you are not sure about an item.

Put these items in your recycling

Paper

· Newspaper and inserts

· Magazines and catalogs

· Mail and office papers

Cardboard

· Corrugated cardboard

· Paperboard (e.g., cracker boxes)

Cartons

· Milk and juice cartons

· Soup, broth, and wine cartons

· Juice boxes

Metal cans

· Aluminum, tin, and steel cans

Glass bottles and jars

Plastic bottles, containers and jugs

· Containers numbered 1, 2 or 5

· Soda, juice and water bottles

· Milk and juice jugs

· Margarine, cottage cheese, cream cheese and other tubs and lids

· Laundry detergent bottles and jugs

· Clear berry and produce containers

DO NOT put these items in your recycling cart

· Batteries

· Food and liquids

· Paper plates, cups, and napkins

· Plastic bags and wrap

· Shredded paper

· Styrofoam

· Tanglers (e.g., chains, extension cords, hoses, string lights)

· Trash

 

Recycling is beneficial to the environment and can help reduce your trash service needs. Recycling markets are rapidly growing. Visit DSI's website for more information on what is accepted in your recycling cart: DSI Recycle Guide.  

Farmington residents report recycling more and being satisfied with the capacity of their recycling cart. However, if you have noticed that your recycling cart consistently does not hold all of your recyclables until collection day, first make sure you are breaking down your recycling so it takes up the least amount of space possible in the cart. If your cart is still overflowing every other week, you can request a larger one by calling DSI at 952-469-2239.

If you have questions about what items are recyclable, visit the Dakota County Recycling Guide or call Violet Penman, Solid Waste and Recycling Coordinator, at 651-322-2079 or email her at [email protected]. 

Farmington residents can drop off excess cardboard at two locations across the city. Please break down the boxes flat before placing them in the dumpster. Do not leave loose cardboard next to the dumpster as it could be carried away by the wind. Here are the locations:

• Behind City Hall by Feely's Elevator, 420 2nd St. (to be permanently removed March 16)
• Between the Maintenance Facility and Police Department on Municipal Drive

If the city drop-offs are full, residents can take their extra cardboard to Recycle Minnesota. Find hours and more information at dickssanitation.com.

The cardboard dumpsters at the Schmitz-Maki Arena have been removed due to construction to the parking lot and road.

If you have a bulky item (furniture, exercise equipment, carpeting, appliance, etc.) to get rid of you can use one of these methods any time throughout the year:

For the best pricing make sure to search Dakota County's Recycling Guide for appliances and mattresses.

1. Schedule a pick up or drop off - Please call Dick’s Sanitation at 952-469-2239 or
visit dickssanitation.com to schedule a pick up for bulk items such as construction debris, furniture, electronics, appliances, etc. Schedule a pick-up at 952-469-2239, dickssanitation.com or drop off at Recycle Minnesota for a 30% reduced rate - 8812 215th St. W., Lakeville, MN. 

2. Recycling Zone - The Dakota County Recycling Zone, 3365 Dodd Road, accepts the following types of waste, most for free: 

• Household chemicals and hazardous waste
• Electronics (TVs/Computer Monitors $10) 
• Small household appliances
• Recyclables
• Tires

For a detailed list, see Dakota County's website. 

3. Reuse - Visit Dakota County's Recycling Guide for other reuse options. Items can be donated through organizations like Bridging. View our list of reuse opportunities. Also consider posting them through online marketplaces like Facebook, Nextdoor or Craigslist. Maybe make a few bucks!

Dumpsters are available to rent through Dick's Sanitation. Two sizes are available: 3 yard container or 6 yard container.

For more information, call them at 952-469-2239 or visit DSI's website. 

Business Recycling Program

Eligible businesses can receive funding to help reduce waste and start or improve recycling or organics collection. No match required. All businesses can get technical assistance, free container labels and educational resources. Learn more.

Multifamily Recycling Program

Dakota County provides technical assistance, in-person education and funding to start or improve recycling at apartments, condominiums, townhomes, and independent senior living. Learn more.

School Recycling Program

Grants are available to help prevent wasted food, reduce waste, improve recycling and organics collection, and educate students and staff. Request free recycling education performances, field trips, container labels and activity guides. Learn more.

Environmental Education Resources

Residents, businesses, schools and organizations are welcome to use free article templates, handouts, activity kits and more to educate about recycling, organics, household hazardous waste and waste prevention. Learn more.