Recycling in Fargo-Moorhead
In the metro area, we have the benefit of all-in-one, no-sort recycling programs that allow residents to recycle plastics, paper, carboard, and other materials without much effort.
By recycling these commonly used items, we diminish the amount of waste in our landfills and communities, and those items can be repurposed.
Single-family residences receive a large recycling bin from their respective city to fill with recyclable materials.
Those living in multi-family residences may utilize a drop site in Fargo, West Fargo, or Moorhead to properly dispose of their recyclables, if their residential community does not offer recycling bins or dumpsters.
All three cities collect recycling every other week on residents’ regularly scheduled garbage collection day. To determine your collection week, review your city’s recycling schedule: West Fargo, Moorhead, or Fargo.
Please note: Collection is delayed on holidays; review the schedule for alternate collection days.
Recycling bins should only contain allowable items on collection day. Residents can place items loosely in the bin, without the use of plastic bags.
Cities request that bins be placed no earlier than the evening before collection, and no later than the early morning (5:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.) on collection day.
To allow for a clean and efficient collection, place the bins at least three feet from any obstacles (mailboxes, snowbanks, trees, vehicles), with the lid opening to the street.
Acceptable Items for All City Recycling Programs
The cities of Fargo, West Fargo, and Moorhead accept the following items:
Plastic
Plastic tubs, bottles, containers, and jugs labelled as #1 – 7 are accepted; rinse and separate from the lids before placing in the recycling bin. You can find the number on the bottom of the container.
Newspaper, Magazines, & Catalogs
Newspapers that are black and white or colored are accepted, as well as their inserts.
Cardboard & Paper Bags
Cardboard items may include boxes used for packaging (pizza, cereal, pasta, electronics, tissues, soda, etc.), as well as boxes used for shipping (Amazon, Target, Walmart, etc.). To save space, flatten boxes before placing them in the recycling bin.
Paper & Envelopes
Office paper, notebook paper, junk mail, and envelopes are all accepted; envelopes may be white or brown and with or without windows. Do not shred paper or envelopes before recycling.
Tin, Steel, & Aluminum Cans
Rinse cans before placing them in the recycling bin.
Glass
Only the city of West Fargo currently accepts glass in their no-sort recycling program. Fargo and Moorhead no longer accept glass in their recycling bins.
Unacceptable Items for Curbside Recycling Programs
The cities of Fargo, West Fargo*, and Moorhead do not accept the following items:
Glass*
Neither Moorhead nor Fargo collect glass in their no-sort recycling program. Rather, residents may continue to recycle glass by bringing it to one of the many drop sites throughout the metro area (Moorhead or Fargo).
*West Fargo does accept glass in their no-sort curbside recycling program.
Plastic Bags
The recycling programs do not accept plastic bags.
However, residents may recycle plastic bags by utilizing the collection bins at Hornbacher’s, Family Fare, Lowes, Cash Wise, Walmart, and Target. These locations accept plastic shopping bags, produce bags, shrink wrap, dry cleaning bags, bubble wrap, bread bags, newspaper bags, and plastic film/packaging labeled as #4.
Electronics
As an alternative option, the Fargo Household Hazardous Waste Facility accepts one computer set (tower, monitor, and accessories) and one television per resident, per month.
Styrofoam
Styrofoam products (egg cartons, cups, plates, coolers, and packaging) are not recyclable and must be thrown in the trash.
Hazardous Waste
Household hazardous waste includes paint (spray and liquid), varnish, stain, poison, automotive fluid, pesticide, weed killer, oven cleaner, drain cleaner, fluorescent light bulbs, and any other items labeled flammable, dangerous, toxic, poisonous, and/or corrosive.
Cities do not collect household hazardous waste materials curbside, within normal garbage collection, or during the annual Clean Up Week; these items are accepted at each city’s hazardous waste facility at no charge to city residents:
- Clay County Resource Recovery Center, 3322 15th Ave N, Moorhead, MN 56560 (for Moorhead and Clay County Residents).
- City of Fargo HHW Facility, 606 43 ½ St N, Fargo, ND 58102 (for Fargo, West Fargo, Harwood, and Cass County Residents).
Recycling Drop Sites
All Recyclables
- Fargo Household Hazardous Waste Facility: 606 43 ½ St N, Fargo
- Longfellow Park: 20 29th Ave N, Fargo
- City of Fargo Wastewater Treatment Plant: Corner of 10th St N and 37th Ave N
- John E. Carlson Coliseum: 807 17th Ave N, Fargo
- City of Fargo Solid Waste Department: 2301 8th Ave N, Fargo
- Mickelson Field: 901 Oak St N, Fargo
- Cash Wise Foods: 1401 33rd St S, Fargo
- Lincoln Elementary School: 21st Ave S, Fargo
- Anderson Lift Station: 3083 43rd St S, Fargo
- City of Fargo Lift Station: Corner of 42nd St and 2nd Ave SW, Fargo
- City of Fargo Water Plant: 1408 S River Road, Fargo
- Lewis & Clark Elementary School: 729 16th St S, Fargo
- Rheault Farm: 2902 25th St S, Fargo
- Fargo Park District Maintenance Building: 4515 University Dr S, Fargo
- Centennial Elementary School: Corner of 25th St S and 40th Ave S, Fargo
- Shanley High School: 5600 25th St S, Fargo
- Osgood Fire Station: 3957 Village Lane, Fargo
- Deer Creek: 5400 63rd St S, Fargo
- CVS/Fargo Cass Public Health: 2425 13th Ave S, Fargo
- West Fargo Department of Sanitation: 117 8th St W, West Fargo
- Eagle Run Water Tower: Corner of 40th Ave W and Sheyenne St, West Fargo
- Woodlawn Point: 418 Elm St S, Moorhead
- Moorhead Public Works: 700 15th Ave N, Moorhead
Cardboard Only
- Ken’s Sanitation: 2010 28th Ave S, Moorhead
- McKinley Elementary School: 2930 8th St N, Fargo
- Minnkota Recycling: 901 4th Ave N, Fargo
While all three cities report high participation rates in their recycling program, it’s important that we recycle correctly. Then we can diminish the possibility of contaminated collection and increase the effectiveness of the cities’ recycling efforts.
So do your part and recycle!
And for more ideas on how to be eco-friendly, see 5 Simple Ways to Go Green at Home.
