20 Items Now Banned From Throwing in the Garbage in Minnesota

Ever wondered what exactly you should and should not throw in the trash in Minnesota?

Gone are the days when people could just toss everything into their garbage can without a second thought. In Minnesota, waste disposal has evolved quite a bit over the years, and this guide will break down what you are not allowed to throw in the trash and why these regulations matter for our environment.

The History of Solid Waste Management in Minnesota

For most of the 20th century, managing waste in Minnesota was a pretty casual affair. Back in the early 1900s, you could find garbage dumps and burning piles just about everywhere.

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People tossed all kinds of trash into these dumps—everything from old cans to used oil, and burning yard waste or even tires was the norm. It wasn't uncommon to see people gathering at these dumps, whether it was to scavenge for something useful or, in northern Minnesota, to catch a glimpse of a bear.

As cities grew, so did concerns about waste management.

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By the 1960s and 70s, there was a push to clean things up, leading to the closure of many open dumps and the introduction of more sanitary landfills.

Fast forward to the 1980s, and things really started to tighten up with new laws and regulations, focusing on recycling and reducing waste.

Today, Minnesota has a list of items that are illegal to toss into the garbage and banned from landfills.