Recycling Center – Virginia, MN Drop-Off Site

Name: Recycling Center
Address: 2102 S 15th Ave W, Virginia, Virginia, MN, US
Telephone: +1 218-748-7515

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About This Location

The City of Virginia Recycling Drop-Off Site sits at the corner of 15th Avenue West and 20th Street South, adjacent to the City Public Works Garage, and is open around the clock every day of the year at no charge to users. Operated by Virginia Public Works, the outdoor, self-service station accepts pre-sorted paper, corrugated cardboard, #1 and #2 plastic bottles and containers, brown/green/clear glass bottles and jars, and metal and aluminum cans. The City actively promotes this site—and a complementary curbside pickup program—as ways for residents to reduce the number of paid 'blue bags' they consume each month, directly lowering household garbage costs. Questions about what belongs in which bin can be directed to Virginia Public Works at (218) 748-7515.

What Recycling Center Accepts

✓ Newspapers (Accepted; includes inserts and newspaper-type paper.)

✓ Magazines (Magazines up to 1/2 inch thick accepted.)

✓ Junk mail and mixed paper (Junk mail, envelopes, office paper, and similar papers accepted.)

✓ Phonebooks (Accepted with paper category.)

✓ Corrugated cardboard (Flatten and bundle; cut to 2'x2' squares. Corrugated (shipping-type) cardboard ONLY.)

✓ #1 plastic bottles, jars & tubs (All #1 plastic bottles, jars, and tubs accepted. No need to remove labels; rinse clean and discard caps.)

✓ #2 plastic bottles, jars & tubs (All #2 plastic bottles, jars, and tubs accepted. No need to remove labels; rinse clean and discard caps.)

✓ Glass bottles and jars – brown, green, and clear (Bottles and jars only; rinse clean. Remove caps and metal rings. No need to remove labels.)

✓ Aluminum and bi-steel beverage and food cans (Recycle all beverage and vegetable cans; rinse clean.)

Related recycling guides: Glass · Plastic · Cardboard & Paper

What they do not accept

✕ Paper plates, paper towels, and paper napkins

✕ Window glass

✕ Light bulbs

✕ Dishes and drinking glasses

✕ Hose/pipe and adhesives

✕ Waxed cardboard

✕ Wrapping paper, tinsel, garland, and bubble wrap

✕ Plastic bags

✕ Plastic packaging (e.g., toy packaging) and pails

✕ Oil containers and paint cans

✕ Toys

✕ Containers that held hazardous waste

✕ Mirrors

Items not accepted at the recycling drop-off bins (e.g., non-recyclable plastics, hazardous containers) may be placed in City-designated blue bags for dumpster disposal. Hazardous waste drop-off is available separately at the St. Louis County Regional Landfill, 5345 Regional Landfill Rd, Virginia, MN (Tues & Sat, 8am–1pm).

Fees

All accepted recyclables (paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, metal) — Free

Access & restrictions

Public drop-off; self-service outdoor bins open 24/7. No attendant on site. · Walk-in (no appointment) · Materials must be pre-sorted before drop-off. Recyclables should be rinsed clean. Cardboard must be flattened and cut to 2'x2' squares. The site is operated by the City of Virginia Public Works and is available to anyone, though it is promoted primarily for Virginia city residents.

Programs & events

Curbside Recycling Pickup — The City of Virginia also offers a free curbside recycling program. Residents place sorted recyclables in paper bags, boxes, or baskets at the curb in front of their residence by 7:00 a.m. on their designated pickup day. Contact Public Works at (218) 748-7515 for your pickup day.
Northside Drop-Off Site — An additional City of Virginia 24/7 recycling drop-off location at 905 19th Street North (across from Seppi's).
St. Louis County Regional Landfill Drop-Off — A third 24/7 recycling drop-off option at 5341 Regional Landfill Road, Virginia, operated by St. Louis County.
Hazardous Waste Drop-Off (St. Louis County) — Household hazardous waste accepted separately at St. Louis County Regional Landfill (5345 Regional Landfill Rd, Virginia) on Tuesdays and Saturdays, 8am–1pm. Not handled at this recycling drop-off site.

Materials, fees and hours can change — call ahead to confirm before your visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to use the City of Virginia recycling drop-off site?

No. The City of Virginia's official website states that recycling at the drop-off site is free and convenient. The City promotes recycling as a way to reduce the tipping fees that feed into residents' monthly garbage costs.

What hours is the drop-off site open?

The site operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, per the City of Virginia's official website. It is a self-service, unattended outdoor bin station, so there is no staffed window with limited hours.

Can I recycle all plastics here, or only certain numbers?

Only #1 and #2 plastic bottles, jars, and tubs are accepted. Other plastic types—including plastic bags, pails, toys, and plastic packaging—are not accepted and should go in the City's blue bags for regular garbage disposal.

Does this site accept glass, and are there any restrictions?

Yes—brown, green, and clear glass bottles and jars are accepted. However, only bottles and jars are accepted. Window glass, mirrors, dishes, and drinking glasses are explicitly not accepted and must not be placed in the recycling bins.

Do I need to prepare my materials before dropping them off?

Yes. The City asks that all materials be pre-sorted. Plastics and glass should be rinsed clean (caps discarded, labels can stay on). Cardboard must be flattened and cut into 2'x2' squares, and only corrugated (shipping-type) cardboard is accepted—not waxed cardboard.

Last verified: November 2026. Sources: source · source · source · source. Spotted something wrong? Suggest a correction.