Plan Your Eagan Recycling Zone Drop-Off Before You Drive
Dakota County’s Recycling Zone at 3365 Dodd Road in Eagan accepts household hazardous waste, electronics, small household electronics, selected recyclables, scrap metal and standard automotive tires from eligible metro-area residents.
The facility is not a general dump. Furniture, mattresses, appliances, yard waste, plastic bags, Styrofoam and several other materials need a different disposal route.
Before-you-go facts
Fast answer for Eagan residents
If you are looking for an Eagan recycling center for household chemicals, batteries, electronics, paint, bulbs, scrap metal, cardboard, standard automotive tires or other accepted special materials, the main county-run option is Dakota County’s Recycling Zone at 3365 Dodd Road.
Resident drop-off hours are Wednesday 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Thursday noon–8 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. There are no normal resident drop-off hours listed for Sunday, Monday or Tuesday.
Dakota County currently lists the facility as open to residents of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties. Have ID ready, keep almost all items in the trunk or very back of the vehicle, and keep household sharps near the front seat in the required rigid container.
On this page
Eagan Recycling Zone Hours and Holiday Closures
The Recycling Zone uses a four-day public drop-off schedule. Thursday starts later than the other open days, so do not rely on a generic “weekday hours” assumption.
Listed holiday closures
Dakota County says The Recycling Zone is closed on these holidays:
Who Can Use The Recycling Zone?
The facility is physically located in Eagan, but it is not limited only to City of Eagan residents. Dakota County currently lists residential access for people from seven metro-area counties.
Residents currently listed
Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington county residents are listed as eligible for resident drop-off.
Bring ID
Dakota County asks visitors to have ID ready so staff can scan the barcode on the back of a driver’s license. The county says ID or proof of residency is requested for demographic purposes.
How the Eagan Recycling Zone Drop-Off Process Works
The Recycling Zone is a staffed drive-through process. Visitors stay in their vehicles while staff handles most materials, so loading your vehicle correctly before leaving home makes the visit easier.
Cardboard preparation
Break boxes down and cut cardboard to no more than 36 inches by 36 inches.
Returned gas or oil containers
If you want a gas can or oil container returned, staff can tag it. Dakota County says you must return on the following open day with the ticket stub after the container has been emptied.
TV, Monitor and Tire Recycling Fees
Dakota County states that most resident items are accepted free of charge. Televisions, monitors and tires are the notable fee items.
Current standard automotive tire fees
15 inches or smaller
$6 each
16–17 inches
$7 each
18–19 inches
$8 each
20–22 inches
$10 each
Tire still on a rim
Add $1 per tire
Restricted tire types
Race-car tires and slicks are not accepted under the standard automotive tire program.
See the site’s broader tire recycling guide if you have a tire type or quantity that does not fit The Recycling Zone rules.
What You Can Bring to The Recycling Zone
The accepted-material list covers several distinct categories. Do not treat all materials the same during transport: chemicals, batteries, bulbs, sharps and electronics have different preparation needs.
Household hazardous waste
- Aerosols
- Antifreeze
- Auto batteries
- Rechargeable, single-use and button-cell batteries
- Bug killers
- Nicotine e-cigarettes and vaping devices
- Fire extinguishers
- Fireworks
- Fluorescent light bulbs
- Gasoline
- Household cleaners
- Lawn and garden chemicals
- Mercury thermometers
- Paint
- Pool and spa chemicals
- Propane and helium tanks or cylinders
- Thermostats
- Used oil and oil filters
- Weed killer
Electronics
- Computer towers and components
- Hard drives
- Keyboards and mice
- Laptops
- Tablets and readers
- Cell phones and other telephones
- Desktop printers, copiers and scanners
- Fax machines
- DVD and VCR players
- Game systems
- Stereos and radios
- Televisions — fee applies
- Monitors — fee applies
Small household electronics
- Blenders without glass pitchers
- Bread makers
- Cameras
- Clocks
- Coffee makers without glass carafes
- Electric knives and toothbrushes
- Hair dryers
- Irons
- Mixers
- Portable fans
- Small heaters
- Toasters and toaster ovens
- Vacuum cleaners with bags removed
- Selected metal tools
Recyclables and scrap items
- Clean aluminum foil
- Bicycles
- Cardboard
- Cartons
- Cooking oil
- Books
- Paperboard boxes
- Eyeglasses
- Glass bottles and jars
- Grills
- Holiday lights and cords
- Drained lawn mowers
- Magazines, catalogs and mail
- Metal cans
- Newspapers
- Office and school paper
- Selected plastic bottles, jugs, tubs and containers
- Inkjet printer cartridges
- Scrap metal
- Drained snow blowers
What The Recycling Zone Does Not Accept
Many failed trips happen because a recycling center is mistaken for a general-purpose dump or bulky-waste site. The current county list specifically excludes the following materials.
Bulky and household items
- Appliances
- Furniture
- Mattresses and box springs
- Exercise equipment
- Microwaves
- Water heaters
- Water softeners
- Dehumidifiers
- Humidifiers
Other excluded materials
- Asbestos-containing materials
- Carpet
- Medical equipment
- Medical waste
- Medicines
- Packing peanuts
- Plastic bags
- Plastic plant pots
- Shredded paper
- Styrofoam
- Radioactive materials
- Wood products and lumber
- Yard waste
Reuse Zone: Free Products Inside The Recycling Zone
The Reuse Zone makes usable products dropped off by other residents available at no charge. Typical inventory can include paint, stains, cleaners and lawn chemicals, but the selection changes based on what people bring in.
Bring your own container
Bring boxes or bags if you plan to take reusable products home.
Do not test products
Dakota County says products must not be opened, sprayed or tested while browsing.
Take only what you will use
This leaves useful material available for other residents and reduces unnecessary storage at home.
The county also notes that the Reuse Zone may close briefly during the day while staff restocks shelves.
Business and School Waste Uses Different Rules
Businesses and schools should not assume the resident drop-off process applies to their waste. Dakota County operates a Very Small Quantity Generator program for qualifying organizations with smaller quantities of hazardous waste and for certain electronics, lamps and batteries.
Current VSQG eligibility includes organizations producing less than 220 pounds, or about 22 gallons, of hazardous waste per month, certain one-time cleanouts below the county threshold, and organizations disposing of eligible electronics, fluorescent lamps or batteries.
Eagan Curbside Recycling Is Different From The Recycling Zone
City of Eagan household recycling service and The Recycling Zone solve different problems. Eagan requires licensed residential trash haulers to provide curbside recycling service, while The Recycling Zone is designed for accepted drop-off materials, including many items that do not belong in a curbside cart.
Typical curbside recycling
Eagan’s residential guidance includes items such as cardboard and paper, metal cans, glass bottles and jars, cartons and selected plastic bottles, containers and jugs.
Do not put special waste in the cart
Eagan specifically lists batteries, plastic bags and wrap, shredded paper, Styrofoam and tanglers such as hoses or cords among items that should not go into the home recycling cart.
Recycling Zone Plus Is Coming, but the Eagan Site Is Staying Open
Dakota and Scott counties are building a second household hazardous-waste and recycling facility called Recycling Zone Plus. The project is in Lakeville and is currently anticipated to open to the public in spring 2027.
The new facility is intended to supplement the Eagan site rather than replace it. Until the new location opens, follow the current Eagan Recycling Zone rules and hours for your trip to Dodd Road.
Before-You-Go Checklist
- Confirm your item is accepted. Use the current Dakota County materials list or Recycling Guide.
- Check today’s drop-off schedule. Normal resident service runs Wednesday through Saturday.
- Check holiday closures. Listed holidays override normal schedules.
- Bring ID. Have your driver’s license or other applicable proof ready.
- Pack most items in the rear. Use the trunk or very back of the vehicle.
- Keep sharps separate. Use a rigid, taped and labeled container near the front seat.
- Keep chemicals upright and labeled. Do not mix chemicals and do not transport them loose in garbage bags.
- Separate bulbs and batteries. This reduces breakage and short-circuit risk.
- Reduce cardboard size. Cut flattened cardboard to 36 by 36 inches or smaller.
- Bring payment for fee items. TVs, monitors and tires are not free.
- Contact staff for large loads. Loads larger than a truck bed require advance coordination.
Map and Directions to The Recycling Zone in Eagan
The Recycling Zone is at 3365 Dodd Road (Highway 149), Eagan, Minnesota. Use the map for navigation, but rely on Dakota County for the latest operating rules, accepted materials and fees.
Address
3365 Dodd Road
Highway 149
Eagan, MN
Contact
Phone: 952-891-7800
Email: recyclingzone@co.dakota.mn.us
Official Sources Used for This Eagan Recycling Guide
The practical details above are based primarily on current Dakota County and City of Eagan resources. Use these official pages for changes after publication.
Current hours, eligibility, accepted materials, fees, drop-off instructions, Reuse Zone rules and contact information.
Open official Recycling Zone pageUse this item-by-item directory when your material is not accepted at The Recycling Zone or you are unsure where it belongs.
Open official Recycling GuideLocal curbside recycling guidance, city waste information and links to Dakota Valley Recycling resources.
Open City of Eagan recycling pageBusiness and school hazardous-waste eligibility, application, appointment, transportation and fee information.
Open VSQG programCurrent construction timeline and confirmation that the Eagan Recycling Zone will remain open.
Open project pageAlternative routes for bulky waste, large items, transfer stations, landfill options and materials that do not belong at The Recycling Zone.
Open disposal alternativesFrequently Asked Questions About Recycling in Eagan
What is the main recycling center in Eagan?
Dakota County’s main special-material drop-off facility in Eagan is The Recycling Zone at 3365 Dodd Road, also identified as Highway 149.
What are The Recycling Zone hours?
Resident drop-off hours are Wednesday 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Thursday noon–8 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Is the Eagan Recycling Zone open Sunday, Monday or Tuesday?
Dakota County does not list normal resident drop-off hours on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. Verify the official page before planning any visit outside the published schedule.
Do I have to live in Eagan or Dakota County to use it?
No. Dakota County currently lists residential access for residents of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties.
Do I need ID?
Yes. Dakota County asks visitors to have ID ready and says staff will need to scan the barcode on the back of a driver’s license. The county states that ID or proof of residency is requested for demographic purposes.
How much does it cost to recycle a TV or monitor?
The current resident fee is $10 for each television and $10 for each monitor.
How much does tire recycling cost?
Standard automotive tire fees currently start at $6 for tires 15 inches or smaller and increase by size. A tire still mounted on a rim costs an additional $1.
Can I bring paint, batteries or household chemicals?
Yes. The current accepted-material list includes paint, household batteries, auto batteries, cleaners, gasoline, antifreeze, pool chemicals, lawn and garden chemicals and many other household hazardous materials.
Can I bring mattresses, furniture or appliances?
No. Mattresses, box springs, furniture and appliances are listed as not accepted at The Recycling Zone. Use Dakota County’s Recycling Guide or large-item disposal guidance to find another route.
Does The Recycling Zone accept plastic bags, Styrofoam or shredded paper?
No. Dakota County’s current not-accepted list includes plastic bags, Styrofoam and shredded paper.
Can businesses use the same resident drop-off process?
Business hazardous waste follows separate rules. Qualifying businesses and schools may use Dakota County’s VSQG program, which requires application review and an appointment before waste is accepted.
Will the Eagan Recycling Zone close when Recycling Zone Plus opens?
No. Dakota County states that the existing Recycling Zone in Eagan will remain open after the new Recycling Zone Plus facility opens.
Best Way to Avoid a Rejected Load
Start with the item rather than the nearest map pin. Confirm that The Recycling Zone accepts the exact material, check the current Wednesday-through-Saturday schedule, pack chemicals and sharps correctly, bring ID and prepare payment when required.
If an item is not clearly listed, use Dakota County’s Recycling Guide before loading your vehicle. That extra check is especially useful for mattresses, furniture, appliances, yard waste, medical items, construction material and unusual electronics.