Mandatory separation of recyclable materials and compostable materials.
Saint Paul Legislative Code § 357.09
in effectSec. 357.09. - Mandatory separation of recyclable materials and compostable materials.
(a) Mandatory separation required:
(1) Recyclable materials—Residential property. Effective July 1, 1991, every owner, lessee or occupant of residential property shall separate recyclable materials from other mixed municipal solid waste and shall set recyclable materials out for collection in the manner and at such frequency as shall be prescribed by the city's director of public works, or shall deliver the recyclable materials to a recycling facility approved by the department of public works.
(2) Recyclable materials—Commercial/industrial property. Effective July 1, 1992, every owner, lessee or occupant of commercial and industrial property shall separate recyclable materials from other mixed municipal solid waste and shall set recyclable materials out for collection in the manner and at such frequency as shall be prescribed by the city's director of public works, or shall deliver the recyclable materials to a recycling facility approved by the department of public works.
(3) Compostable materials. Effective July 1, 1993, to the extent permitted by Ramsey County solid waste ordinances, every owner, lessee or occupant of residential, commercial and industrial property shall separate separated compostable materials from other mixed municipal solid waste and shall set separated compostable materials out for collection in the manner and at such frequency as shall be prescribed by the city's director of public works or shall deliver the compostable materials to a composting facility approved by the department of public works.
(4) Enforcement. The department of public works shall enforce mandatory source separation, taking into consideration which sectors, residential, commercial and institutional, or industrial, are not meeting State of Minnesota and/or Ramsey County mandated recycling goals.
(b) Containers for recyclable materials. Containers for recyclable materials used by owners, lessees or occupants of any residential buildings consisting of eleven (11) or fewer dwelling units and which are set out for collection shall:
(1) Be city owned and/or approved, wheeled carts that are durable, rust-resistant, nonabsorbent, watertight, rodent-proof, easily cleanable containers with close-fitting, fly-tight covers;
(2) Be located in a manner so as to prevent the containers from being overturned, obstructing pedestrian or motor vehicle traffic or being in violation of any statute, ordinance, rule or regulation;
(3) Be kept in an enclosed area except on the evening prior to and on the day of regularly scheduled curbside or alley collection; and
(4) Be maintained in a condition that complies with all pertinent health statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations.
Containers for recyclable materials used by owners, lessees or occupants of any residential buildings consisting of twelve (12) or more dwelling units and which are set out for collection shall:
(1) Be city owned, wheeled carts and/or city or hauler owned dumpsters that are durable, rust-resistant, nonabsorbent, watertight, rodent-proof, easily cleanable containers with close-fitting, fly-tight covers;
(2) Be located in a manner so as to prevent the containers from being overturned, obstructing pedestrian or motor vehicle traffic or being in violation of any statute, ordinance, rule or regulation;
(3) Be kept in an enclosed area except on the evening prior to and on the day of regularly scheduled curbside or alley collection; and
(4) Be maintained in a condition that complies with all pertinent health statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations.
(c) Containers for compostable materials. Containers for compostable materials used by owners, lessees or occupants of any residential buildings consisting of four (4) or less dwelling units when stored out-of-doors shall be of durable, rust-resistant, nonabsorbent, watertight, rodent-proof, easily cleanable containers with close-fitting, fly-tight covers.
(d) Collection of recyclable and compostable materials. The residential curbside or alley collection of recyclable and/or compostable materials shall be supervised by the city and the city shall have the power to establish the time, method and routes of collection.
(1) Notice of dates and times of collection will be published and otherwise made available to the public.
(2) Notice of the location and hours of business for sites where any person may deposit recyclable materials will be made available to the public.
(3) Nothing in this chapter shall abridge the right of any person to give or sell their recyclable materials to any lawfully operated recycling program or facility.
(4) Nothing in this chapter shall abridge the right of any authorized recycling facility to lawfully operate within the city, subject to all licenses, permits or regulations as may be required by law.
(e) Enforcement. This section shall be enforced by the public works department.
(f) Penalty. Every owner, lessee or occupant of residential buildings consisting of four (4) or less dwelling units violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a petty misdemeanor and subject to a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25.00). Other persons violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a petty misdemeanor and subject to a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00). Violators shall be given a written warning for the initial violation. A penalty shall be imposed for each subsequent violation. Each day a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
(g) Findings and determinations. In accordance with Minnesota Statutes, Section 115A.46(4), a county may not delegate to another governmental unit or other person any portion of its responsibility for solid waste management unless it establishes a funding mechanism to assure the ability of the entity to which it delegates responsibility to adequately carry out the responsibility delegated.
(h) Charges. The charge for allowable costs of providing residential recycling collection services shall be paid from funds received by the city from Ramsey County, the State of Minnesota, and/or a required surcharge set and/or collected by the city. Commercial recycling fees are charged by licensed refuse and/or recycling haulers to the customer.
(Ord. No. 17830, § 2, 5-16-91; C.F. No. 94-538, § 9, 5-18-94; Ord 16-52, § 1, 1-4-17; Ord 18-40, § 1, 8-8-18; Ord 19-34, § 1, 6-26-19)
Source: City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, City Charter, Legislative Code and Administrative Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mn/st._paul/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIILECO_TITXXIXLI_CH357SOWA_S357.09MASEREMACOMAFetched: 11/1/2026