Plan Your Recycling Center Plus Trip Before You Load the Car
Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus handles free pre-sorted recyclables and many household disposal items that carry fees. The most useful first step is deciding whether your load belongs at Recycling Center Plus, the Hazardous Waste Facility, the Compost Site or Kalmar Landfill.
Quick Answer: Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus
Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus is at 305 Energy Parkway NE, Rochester, MN 55906. Regular facility hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Olmsted County lists the main number as 507-328-7070 and a Saturday Recycling Center Plus number of 507-328-7020.
Clean, pre-sorted recyclable materials such as cans, selected paper, cardboard, bottles and jars, #1/#2/#5 plastic containers and clean scrap metals can be accepted free. Garbage, bulky items, tires, mattresses, appliances, TVs and electronics can have disposal or recycling fees.
On this page
- What the facility is
- Hours and contact
- 2026 holiday schedule
- Current fee guide
- Free recyclables
- Fee-based items
- Choose the right facility
- Paint, batteries and HHW
- Yard waste and compost
- Electronics and TVs
- Tires and mattresses
- Prepare your load
- Common trip problems
- Map and directions
- FAQs
- Official sources
What Recycling Center Plus Is — and What It Is Not
Recycling Center Plus is part of Olmsted County’s solid-waste system in Rochester. Residents and other eligible self-haulers can use it for clean recyclable materials as well as household quantities of garbage, furniture, appliances, electronics, televisions, mattresses, automotive tires and other listed disposal items.
The word “recycling” can be misleading if you have a mixed cleanout load. The site includes free recycling routes and fee-based disposal routes, and not every material that arrives at the property belongs in the recycling area.
Free recycling route
Use this for accepted recyclable materials that have been pre-sorted according to county rules.
Fee disposal route
Garbage, bulky items, appliances, mattresses, tires and electronics can carry material-specific charges.
Separate special-waste route
Paint, solvents, pesticides, many batteries, sharps and similar hazardous items use the county’s Hazardous Waste Facility process.
Olmsted Recycling Center Hours, Address and Contact Details
| Detail | Current county listing | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Address | 305 Energy Parkway NE, Rochester, MN 55906 | Use this address for Recycling Center Plus. |
| Facility hours | Tuesday–Saturday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM | Holiday closures can override this schedule. |
| Department office | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM | Office hours are not the same as public drop-off hours. |
| Main phone | 507-328-7070 | Call for unusual or large loads. |
| Saturday phone | 507-328-7020 | County specifically lists this for Saturdays. |
| reducewaste@olmstedcounty.gov | Useful for non-urgent waste questions. |
Olmsted Recycling Center 2026 Holiday Closures
Olmsted County links a separate 2026 solid-waste holiday schedule from the Recycling Center Plus page. Several closures occur on Saturdays, even though Saturday is normally an operating day.
The schedule below reflects the county-linked 2026 holiday information available for this facility. Because county holiday schedules can be amended, check the official facility page again before a holiday-week trip.
| 2026 date | Holiday / event | Recycling Center Plus | Trip planning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 1 | New Year’s Day | Closed | Do not plan a New Year’s Day drop-off. |
| Jan. 17 | MLK Jr. Day observation for OCRC/HWF | Closed | Saturday closure overrides normal Saturday hours. |
| Feb. 14 | Presidents’ Day observation | Closed | Plan the load for another operating day. |
| May 23 | Memorial Day observation | Closed | Saturday closure affects long-weekend cleanouts. |
| June 19 | Juneteenth | Closed | County separately confirmed this 2026 closure. |
| July 3 | Independence Day observation | Closed | County notice confirms the July 3 closure. |
| July 4 | Independence Day | Closed | Both July 3 and July 4 are closed. |
| Sept. 5 | Labor Day observation | Closed | Another normally-open Saturday affected. |
| Nov. 11 | Veterans Day | Closed | No regular Wednesday service. |
| Nov. 26 | Thanksgiving | Closed | No Thanksgiving Day drop-off. |
| Nov. 27 | Day after Thanksgiving | Closed | Normal Friday service does not apply. |
| Dec. 24 | Christmas Eve | 8:00 AM–12:00 PM | Reduced hours; avoid arriving close to noon with a complicated load. |
| Dec. 25 | Christmas Day | Closed | No Christmas Day drop-off. |
Olmsted Recycling Center Fees: Current County Schedule
The county fee schedule currently linked from Recycling Center Plus lists its OCRC+ rates as effective July 1, 2025. These are useful planning figures, but the receiving staff determines the actual category and charge for the material you bring.
| Material / service | Listed fee | Important condition |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum self-haul charge | $5 | Applies to chargeable self-haul disposal. |
| Garbage by volume | $5 per 30 gallons | Listed in increments up to 150 gallons. |
| Large quantities | $30 per cubic yard | Cubic-yard minimum category. |
| Bulky-item group A | $15 each | Examples include grills, exercise equipment, push mowers and certain chairs. |
| Bulky-item group B | $20 each | Examples include some couches, futon mattresses and water softeners. |
| Certain recliner / hide-a-bed pieces | $25 each | County schedule separates these from standard furniture categories. |
| Couch with hide-a-bed / recliner or non-recyclable mattress | $30 each | Classification depends on item type. |
| Medical bed with mattress | $50 each | Separate bulky-item category. |
| Automotive / light-truck tire | $5 each | Maximum eight per day at Recycling Center Plus. |
| Mattress | $30 each | Maximum eight per day. |
| Household non-Freon appliance | $10 each | Appliance category matters. |
| Household Freon appliance | $15 each | Examples can include refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners. |
| Cell phone | Free | Listed free in the current e-waste schedule. |
| Many small electronics | $5 each | Includes listed computers, laptops, printers, stereos and game consoles. |
| Flat-screen TV / monitor up to 32″ | $10 each | Measure the screen before your trip. |
| Flat-screen TV / monitor 33″–60″ | $20 each | Over-60-inch units are a higher category. |
| Flat-screen TV / monitor over 60″ | $30 each | Large-screen category. |
| CRT / projection screen | $20–$60 each | Fee varies by screen size. |
| Unsecured / uncovered load | $20 per visit | Cover and secure material before driving. |
Free Items at Olmsted Recycling Center: Pre-Sorted Recycling
Olmsted County says the following recyclable materials can be accepted free of charge when they are pre-sorted. Do not interpret “free” as permission to bring a mixed or contaminated pile.
Cans and metal
- Aluminum cans
- Tin / steel food cans
- Clean iron
- Clean aluminum
- Clean copper
- Clean brass
- Clean stainless steel
Glass and plastics
- Clear glass bottles and jars
- Green, brown and other colored bottles and jars
- #1 plastic bottles and containers
- #2 plastic bottles and containers
- #5 plastic bottles and containers
Paper and cardboard
- Clean corrugated cardboard
- White office paper
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Flyers and pamphlets
- Colored paper
- Flattened paperboard boxes
Items that need special attention
Window glass, dishware and ceramics are not included with the county’s bottle-and-jar glass. Freezer boxes are excluded from the listed paperboard category. Corrugated cardboard must be clean and packaging materials should be removed.
Common Fee-Based Items at Recycling Center Plus
The county lists many household-quantity materials that can be accepted for a fee. The category matters because some items have a per-item rate, some are charged by volume and some have limits.
Garbage and bulky household items
Garbage, furniture, grills, carpeting, bikes and other bulky items can be chargeable. Large cleanouts may fall under volume or cubic-yard pricing rather than a simple per-item fee.
Appliances
Appliance rates differ according to type. The current fee schedule separates household Freon appliances from non-Freon appliances.
Electronics and televisions
Computers, printers, game consoles, TVs, monitors and similar electronics use the county’s e-waste fee categories.
Construction and demolition material
Recycling Center Plus lists residential quantities of construction and demolition material among commonly accepted fee items. Larger or specialized loads may require another county route.
Incidental brush and tree waste also appears on the county’s Recycling Center Plus fee-item list, but that is different from the Compost Site’s accepted yard-waste program. Do not assume all brush, branches or woody debris belong at the Compost Site.
Which Olmsted County Waste Facility Should You Use?
Several Olmsted County waste services operate in or around the Energy Parkway system, but they are not interchangeable. Choose by material first.
| Your material | Best county route | Use it for | Avoid this mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean household recyclables | Recycling Center Plus | Sorted cans, glass bottles/jars, selected plastics, cardboard, paper and clean scrap metal | Do not mix Styrofoam or garbage into the free recycling load. |
| Garbage / bulky items | Recycling Center Plus | Household self-haul garbage, furniture, mattresses, appliances and electronics | Do not assume these items are free. |
| Paint / solvents / pesticides | Hazardous Waste Facility | Household hazardous and special wastes | Do not hide hazardous material in garbage or recycling. |
| Grass / leaves / non-woody garden waste | Compost Site | County-listed compostable yard materials | Brush, food waste and pet waste are not accepted yard waste there. |
| Nine or more tires | Kalmar Landfill with advance planning | County-approved large tire loads | Do not take more than eight tires to Recycling Center Plus. |
| Certain large C&D loads | Kalmar Landfill / county guidance | Eligible construction and demolition material | Do not assume landfill and Recycling Center Plus acceptance rules are identical. |
Paint, Batteries, Sharps and Household Hazardous Waste
The Olmsted County Hazardous Waste Facility is also listed at 305 Energy Parkway NE, but it is a separate service from ordinary Recycling Center Plus drop-off. Its regular public hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
County examples of household hazardous waste include aerosols, automotive and rechargeable batteries, household cleaners, mercury products, pesticides, paints, sharps, solvents, stains, varnishes and used antifreeze.
Use the hazardous-waste route
If a product label includes words such as danger, poison, flammable, corrosive, toxic or similar hazard warnings, check the Hazardous Waste Facility instructions rather than putting the item in normal recycling.
Keep the load safe
Keep chemicals separated and stable during transport. Do not combine unknown chemicals or place leaking hazardous products loosely in the vehicle.
Yard Waste and the Olmsted County Compost Site
The Compost Site is across the street from the Hazardous Waste Facility and is listed as open seven days a week during daylight hours. The county lists a suggested $5 donation for yard-waste drop-off.
Accepted yard waste
- Grass clippings
- Hay
- Leaves
- Non-woody garden waste
- Potted plants removed from plastic containers
- Straw
- Wood chips 6 inches or smaller
Not accepted as yard waste
- Branches and woody debris
- Brush
- Fireplace ashes
- Food waste
- Garbage or hazardous waste
- Pet waste
- Rocks
- Invasive weeds
- Walnuts
The county also lists seasonal Christmas-tree drop-off through March. Remove stands, ornaments and lights first. Wreaths, swags and similar evergreen decorations follow different disposal guidance.
Electronics and TV Recycling Fees
Electronic waste is one area where measuring and sorting before the trip can save time. The current fee schedule separates phones, common small electronics, large multifunction devices, flat-screen TVs and monitors, and CRT/projection equipment.
| Electronic item | Current listed fee |
|---|---|
| Cell phone | Free |
| Common small electronics | $5 each |
| Small peripheral box | $5 each |
| Flat screen up to 32″ | $10 each |
| Flat screen 33″–60″ | $20 each |
| Flat screen over 60″ | $30 each |
| CRT / projection up to 32″ | $20 each |
| CRT / projection 33″–42″ | $40 each |
| CRT / projection over 42″ | $60 each |
Tires, Mattresses and Other Limited Loads
Automotive and light-truck tires
Recycling Center Plus lists automotive and light-truck tires at $5 each with a maximum of eight per day. Semi and tractor tires are listed as not accepted at Recycling Center Plus.
For loads of nine or more tires, the county currently directs users to plan with Kalmar Landfill in advance. The Recycling Center Plus page states a large-tire-load fee of $435 per ton at Kalmar Landfill and instructs visitors to call 507-328-7070 first.
Mattresses
The current Recycling Center Plus fee schedule lists mattresses at $30 each, with a maximum of eight per day. Do not assume a mattress is part of free recycling simply because the facility accepts recyclable materials.
Before-You-Go Checklist for Recycling Center Plus
- Confirm the facility. Make sure you are planning for Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus in Rochester, Minnesota.
- Check the date. Normal Tuesday–Saturday hours do not override county holiday closures.
- Separate free recyclables. Keep cans, cardboard, paper, accepted plastics, glass bottles/jars and clean scrap metal sorted.
- Remove Styrofoam from recycling. The county treats it as garbage at this facility.
- Count tires and mattresses. Both have published limits at Recycling Center Plus.
- Measure TVs and monitors. Electronics fees change with screen type and size.
- Separate hazardous materials. Paints, pesticides, solvents, sharps and many batteries need the Hazardous Waste Facility route.
- Secure the vehicle load. The county fee schedule lists a $20 unsecured/uncovered-load charge.
- Call for anything unusual. Trailers, large cleanouts, business waste, major C&D loads and large tire quantities deserve confirmation before travel.
Common Olmsted Recycling Center Trip Problems
Free recycling is mixed with garbage
Free accepted materials must be pre-sorted. Separate clean recycling before arriving instead of treating the site as one mixed-load dump.
Styrofoam is put with recyclables
Styrofoam is not accepted in the facility’s recycling area. County guidance treats it as garbage.
The visitor misses a Saturday holiday closure
Several 2026 observed holidays affect Saturday service. Normal weekly hours are not enough during holiday weekends.
Hazardous material is taken to the wrong lane
Paints, solvents, pesticides, sharps and similar materials use the Hazardous Waste Facility process.
A TV is not measured
Screen size changes the fee category. Measure large televisions and monitors before loading them.
The trailer load is unsecured
The current county fee schedule lists a $20 fee for an unsecured or uncovered load. Cover and tie down material before travel.
Olmsted Recycling Center Plus Map and Directions
The map below points to 305 Energy Parkway NE, Rochester, Minnesota. Use the map for navigation, but use Olmsted County’s official facility page for the final decision about hours, holiday closures, fees and accepted materials.
Frequently Asked Questions About Olmsted Recycling Center
Where is Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus?
It is at 305 Energy Parkway NE, Rochester, MN 55906.
What are Olmsted Recycling Center hours?
Regular Recycling Center Plus facility hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Holiday closures and special county notices can override those hours.
Is Olmsted Recycling Center open Sunday or Monday?
No under the regular Recycling Center Plus schedule. The county lists facility hours from Tuesday through Saturday. The nearby Compost Site follows a different seven-day daylight-hours schedule.
What recyclables are free at Recycling Center Plus?
The county lists pre-sorted aluminum cans, eligible glass bottles and jars, clean corrugated cardboard, several paper categories, flattened paperboard boxes, #1/#2/#5 plastic bottles and containers, tin/steel food cans and clean scrap metals among free accepted recyclables.
Does Olmsted Recycling Center take Styrofoam?
Styrofoam is not accepted in the free recycling area. Olmsted County says it is garbage at this facility.
How much does it cost to dispose of a tire?
The current Recycling Center Plus fee schedule lists automotive and light-truck tires at $5 each, with a maximum of eight per day. Semi and tractor tires are not accepted there.
How much does a mattress cost?
The current county fee schedule lists mattresses at $30 each with a maximum of eight per day at Recycling Center Plus.
Does Recycling Center Plus accept TVs and computers?
Yes, the county lists electronics and TVs among fee-based recycling categories. Cell phones are listed free, while computers and many small electronics are $5 each and television or monitor rates vary by screen type and size.
Where should I take paint, solvents or pesticides?
Use the Olmsted County Hazardous Waste Facility guidance. It handles listed household hazardous materials including paints, solvents, pesticides, mercury items, sharps and several battery types.
Where should I take leaves and grass?
The Olmsted County Compost Site accepts listed yard materials such as grass clippings, leaves, hay, straw and non-woody garden waste. Brush and branches are not on its accepted yard-waste list.
What phone number should I call?
Olmsted County lists 507-328-7070 as the main Recycling Center Plus contact number and 507-328-7020 as its Saturday phone number.
Is Recycling-Centre.org the official Olmsted County website?
No. Recycling-Centre.org is an independent information guide. Current hours, fees, closures and accepted-material rules should be confirmed with Olmsted County before a special trip.
Official Olmsted County Sources
These county resources are the primary references for this page. Check them again before transporting an unusual, hazardous or expensive load.
- Olmsted County — Recycling Center Plus
- Olmsted County — Disposal Options
- Olmsted County — Solid Waste Fee and Service Charge Schedule
- Olmsted County — Hazardous Waste Facility
- Olmsted County — Compost Site
- Olmsted County — Kalmar Landfill
- Olmsted County — Waste and Sustainability Resources / Waste Wizard