Guide to Recycling in Fargo, West Fargo, & Moorhead

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 – 5 are accepted in all cities. (Fargo and Moorhead also accept #6 and #7 plastics. West Fargo does not.); rinse and separate from the lids before placing in the recycling bin. You can find the number on the bottom of the container.

NOT ACCEPTED: Jugs that contain hazardous material (e.g. antifreeze or motor oil). Plastic pump tops (please remove and throw away, and check in the main container can be recycled). Plastic Bags and wrap (visit plasticfilmrecycling.org to find a recycling location near you). 

Newspaper, Magazines, & Catalogs

Newspapers that are black and white or colored are accepted, as well as their inserts (unwaxed).

NOT ACCEPTED: Magazines or catalogs with glued or spiraled bindings (e.g. phone books, planners). Phone books are not accepted.

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. (Boxes/containers must be unwaxed; this includes boxes from the freezer section.) Please note Fargo does not accept used pizza boxes.

NOT ACCEPTED: Waxed boxes and containers (including boxes from the freezer section). Fargo does not accept used pizza boxes.

Paper & Envelopes

Office paper, notebook paper, junk mail, and envelopes; envelopes may be white or brown and with or without windows. Do not shred paper or envelopes before recycling. Please note that Moorhead does not recycle junk mail.

NOT ACCEPTED: Shredded paper (West Fargo will accept shredded paper if it’s in a paper bag and stapled shut.) Moorhead does not recycle junk mail. Paper cups, plates, napkins, towels, and tissue. 

Tin, Steel, & Aluminum Cans

Rinse cans before placing them in the recycling bin. West Fargo will accept clean aluminum foil, pie plates, and cookware (Moorhead and Fargo do not accept aluminum foil).

NOT ACCEPTED: Scrap metal, nails, aerosol cans, or paint cans.

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.

In Moorhead, glass can still be taken to glass-only dumpsters at the following locations:

• • Woodlawn Point at 418 Elm Street
  • Public Works Shop at 700 15 Ave N
  • Resource Recovery Center at 3322 15 Ave N 

In Fargo, glass can be taken to any one of 20 drop sites.

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 (see above).

*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).

Other Items Not Accepted

• Window glass
• Pyrex
• Ceramic/Dishes
• Light bulbs
• Mirrors
• Needles or medical waste
• Propane fuel tanks
• Hangers
• Clothing/textiles

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.