Rochester Recycling Center: Hours, Address, Fees & Drop-Off Guide
This guide is for Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus at 305 Energy Parkway NE in Rochester, Minnesota. Use it to check the correct facility, official hours, free pre-sorted recyclables, fee-based drop-offs, tires, electronics, appliances, mattresses, household hazardous waste, compost, landfill alternatives, and common mistakes before you load your vehicle.
Fast Answer: Rochester Recycling Center Plus
The main Rochester, MN recycling drop-off facility is Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus at 305 Energy Parkway NE, Rochester, MN 55906. Official facility hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The main phone number is 507-328-7070, and the Saturday Recycling Center Plus phone number is 507-328-7020.
This page is specifically for Rochester, Minnesota. Search results for “Rochester recycling center” can mix in Rochester New York, Rochester New Hampshire, Rochester Michigan, Rochester Wisconsin, and Rochester UK. Do not use another Rochester’s hours, fees or accepted-item list for Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus.
Screenshot Guide: Official Rochester Recycling Center Plus Hours, Address & Drop-Off Rules
This screenshot is placed near the official action section because most visitors first need to recognize where Olmsted County shows Recycling Center Plus hours, 305 Energy Parkway NE address, phone numbers, free pre-sorted recyclables, fee items, holiday closings, and official drop-off links.
Image description: This visual helps readers recognize the official Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus page and understand where to confirm today’s hours, map directions, free pre-sorted items, paid bulky items, electronics, TVs, appliances, mattresses, tires, hazardous waste facility guidance, compost guidance and holiday closure links.
Video note: No official, clearly relevant Rochester Recycling Center Plus video with verified uploadDate and thumbnail was used. To avoid VideoObject schema risk, this article does not include a video embed or VideoObject schema.
On This Page
- Rochester Recycling Center overview
- Correct Rochester location
- Hours, contact and holiday notes
- Which Olmsted facility to use
- Free pre-sorted recyclables
- Fee-based items and PDF details
- Electronics, TVs and appliances
- Tires and large tire loads
- Hazardous waste, batteries and lamps
- Compost and yard waste
- Common mistakes and rejected loads
- Before-you-go checklist
- Map and directions
- FAQ
Rochester Recycling Center Plus Overview
Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus is the main self-haul recycling and disposal facility for Rochester-area residents. It handles free pre-sorted recyclables and many household-quantity fee categories. It is not the same as the Hazardous Waste Facility, Compost Site, Kalmar Landfill, or Waste-to-Energy Facility.
The most useful step before visiting is sorting at home. Put free recyclables together, keep fee items separate, keep electronics easy to identify, secure your load, and keep household hazardous waste out of your regular recycling pile.
Make Sure You Mean Rochester, Minnesota
“Rochester recycling center” is a mixed-location search. This page is for Rochester, MN and Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus. It is not for Monroe County ecopark in Rochester NY, a Rochester NH transfer station, a Rochester MI public works site, or a Rochester UK recycling centre.
Rochester Recycling Center Hours, Contact and Holiday Notes
Recycling Center Plus lists regular facility hours as Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Department office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Use office hours for planning questions, fee questions, and unusual-load questions.
| Need | Official Detail | Best User Action |
|---|---|---|
| Facility hours | Tuesday-Saturday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM. | Do not rely only on map-app labels near holidays, storms or posted county closures. |
| Main phone | 507-328-7070. | Call for general Recycling Center Plus questions. |
| Saturday phone | 507-328-7020. | Use for Saturday facility questions. |
| reducewaste@olmstedcounty.gov. | Use for non-urgent disposal questions or unclear items. | |
| 2026 holiday note | The official page lists July 3 and July 4 closures for Independence Day observance. | Check the current holiday-closing link before visiting near any county holiday. |
Which Olmsted County Facility Should You Use?
The Energy Parkway area can confuse visitors because multiple waste and recycling services are connected. Choose by item type, not just by address. Recycling Center Plus is usually the right place for free pre-sorted recyclables and many household-quantity fee items. Hazardous waste, compost, large tire loads and landfill loads may need another official route.
| Facility / Service | Use It For | Do Not Confuse It With |
|---|---|---|
| Recycling Center Plus | Free pre-sorted recyclables and many household-quantity fee items. | Not the same as hazardous waste drop-off or the Compost Site. |
| Hazardous Waste Facility | Paint, aerosols, cleaners, pesticides, solvents, sharps, batteries, mercury products and similar HHW. | Do not put hazardous liquids or chemicals into a regular recycling load. |
| Compost Site | Yard-waste and compost-related trips. The hub lists daylight hours. | Do not bring normal household recyclables or electronics there. |
| Kalmar Landfill | Large tire loads, landfill-specific disposal and certain C/D or larger waste streams. | It has a different address and weekday hours. |
| Waste-to-Energy Facility | County waste-processing system and scale house, not a simple recycling drop-off. | Do not assume it accepts the same public drop-offs as Recycling Center Plus. |
Free Accepted Items: Pre-Sorted Means Pre-Sorted
Olmsted County lists several materials accepted free of charge at Recycling Center Plus, but they must be pre-sorted. Do not arrive with a mixed load and expect it to be sorted for you.
Fee-Based Items and Official PDF Details
Recycling Center Plus accepts many household-quantity self-haul items for a fee. The official facility page gives the broad categories, while the official fee PDF gives more micro-level price signals. Fees can change, so verify the PDF before loading paid items.
| Fee Category | Official Fee Signal | Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Self-haul garbage | $5 minimum; $5 per 30 gallons up to 150 gallons; larger quantities listed per cubic yard. | Do not mix garbage with free recyclables. |
| Bulky item group A | $15 examples include electric fireplace, exercise equipment, grills, large office chairs, push lawn mowers and treadmills. | Check the exact category if your item has moving parts or mixed materials. |
| Bulky item group B | $20 examples include car seats, single-section couches without hide-a-bed/recliner, futon mattresses, box springs and riding mower/garden tractors. | Separate bulky items so staff can count them correctly. |
| Bulky item group C/D/E | $25 for some reclining loveseat/sectional pieces, $30 for some couches/nonrecyclable mattress items, and $50 for medical bed with mattress. | Call before bringing unusual furniture or medical equipment. |
| Automotive/light truck tires | $5 each at Recycling Center Plus, maximum eight per day. Semi and tractor tires are not accepted there. | Nine or more tires need Kalmar Landfill guidance and advance call. |
| Mattresses | $30 each, maximum eight per day. | Confirm current acceptance before bringing multiple mattresses. |
| Appliances | Household non-Freon appliance $10; Freon-type appliance $15; ammonia gas type appliances not accepted. | Do not cut refrigerant lines or damage sealed systems. |
| Unsecured or uncovered load | $20 per visit. | Cover and secure the load before driving. |
Electronics, TVs, Monitors and Appliances
Electronics and appliances are where many visitors make fee mistakes. The official fee PDF separates cell phones, small electronics, flat-screen monitors/TVs, CRT and projection TVs, large copy/scan/fax/printer machines, appliances, Freon items and commercial-generator e-waste.
| Electronics / Appliance Item | Fee Signal | Before You Go |
|---|---|---|
| Cell phones | Free. | Remove accounts and personal data first. |
| Computers, laptops, small printers, stereos, DVD/Blu-ray players, VCRs, copiers, game consoles | $5 each for listed household/business/other generator items. | Keep cords and peripherals together. |
| Flat-screen monitors/TVs up to 32 inches | $10 each. | Measure the screen size before loading. |
| Flat-screen monitors/TVs 33-60 inches | $20 each. | Protect the screen during transport. |
| Flat-screen monitors/TVs over 60 inches | $30 each. | Call if you need unloading help. |
| CRT/projection monitors/TVs | $20, $40 or $60 depending on size range. | Older units can be heavy; bring help if needed. |
| Major appliances | Household non-Freon $10; household Freon $15. | Do not damage refrigerant lines. |
Tires: Eight or Fewer vs Large Loads
Recycling Center Plus lists automotive tires at eight or fewer per day. Large tire loads of nine or more should go to Kalmar Landfill for a fee, and Olmsted County says to call 507-328-7070 in advance.
| Tire Load | Where to Start | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1-8 automotive or light truck tires | Recycling Center Plus. | Use the current fee PDF and facility rules. |
| 9 or more tires | Kalmar Landfill route. | Call 507-328-7070 in advance. |
| Semi or tractor tires | Not accepted at Recycling Center Plus according to the fee schedule. | Call before loading. |
Hazardous Waste, Batteries, Lamps and Chemicals
The Hazardous Waste Facility is also at 305 Energy Parkway NE, but it is a separate drop-off process. It lists Tuesday-Saturday hours from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, main phone 507-328-7070, and Saturday phone 507-328-7078.
Residents can bring common household hazardous waste such as aerosols, automotive/rechargeable/button batteries, household cleaners, mercury thermostats and thermometers, pesticides, paints, sharps, solvents, stains, varnishes and used antifreeze. Read labels for words such as danger, poison, flammable, corrosive, warning, toxic or combustible.
| Hazardous / Special Item | Official Fee or Rule Signal | Practical Action |
|---|---|---|
| Lead acid, NiCad and NiMH batteries | Household generator items are listed free. | Keep battery types separated. |
| Lithium batteries up to 300Wh | Household generator items are listed free. | Do not mix damaged lithium batteries with regular recycling. |
| Lithium batteries over 300Wh | Not accepted. | Call for a safe route before transporting. |
| Commingled batteries | PDF lists a sorting surcharge if battery types are commingled. | Sort batteries before arrival. |
| Fluorescent tubes | Fee varies by tube size/type; PDF also notes a limit for unboxed tubes. | Keep lamps intact and boxed if possible. |
| CFLs and LEDs | Listed free in the fee PDF. | Do not break bulbs during transport. |
| Propane tanks | 20 lb nominal size tanks are listed at $5. | Do not bring unknown tank sizes without calling. |
Compost Site and Yard-Waste Confusion
Olmsted County lists the Compost Site across the street from the Hazardous Waste Facility at 305 Energy Parkway NE. The Compost Site is listed as open seven days a week during daylight hours, with a suggested donation for acceptable yard waste.
Use the Compost Site for yard-waste and compost-related trips. Use Recycling Center Plus for the listed free recyclables and fee items. Use the Hazardous Waste Facility for chemicals, batteries, lamps and household hazardous waste questions.
Common Mistakes and What to Do Instead
Most wasted trips happen when visitors treat every Olmsted County waste facility as the same place. Sort by material, check the facility, check whether a fee applies, and secure the load before leaving home.
| Mistake | Why It Causes Problems | Better Action |
|---|---|---|
| Using another Rochester’s rules | Rochester NY and Rochester MN facilities are different. | Verify the page says Olmsted County and 305 Energy Parkway NE. |
| Bringing a mixed load | Free items must be pre-sorted and fee items may need a different area. | Sort recyclables, electronics, tires, bulky items and garbage before arriving. |
| Putting Styrofoam in the recycling area | Olmsted County’s disposal options page says Styrofoam is not accepted in the recycling area and is garbage. | Use the correct garbage/self-haul route. |
| Bringing nine or more tires to the wrong spot | Large tire loads are directed to Kalmar Landfill with advance call guidance. | Call 507-328-7070 before loading large tire quantities. |
| Transporting an uncovered load | The fee PDF and Kalmar guidance list an unsecured/uncovered-load fee. | Cover, strap and secure the load. |
| Mixing hazardous waste with recyclables | Hazardous items need special handling. | Use the Hazardous Waste Facility and call if unsure. |
| Bringing window glass or ceramics as free glass | The free glass list is for bottles and jars, not window glass, dishware or ceramics. | Check disposal options before loading. |
Before You Visit: Practical Checklist
- Confirm the location. Use Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus at 305 Energy Parkway NE, Rochester, MN 55906.
- Check current hours. Use Tuesday-Saturday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM as the regular facility schedule, then verify holiday closings.
- Sort free recyclables. Keep cans, glass, clean cardboard, office paper, newspapers, paperboard, #1/#2/#5 plastics, food cans and scrap metal separate.
- Separate fee items. Keep garbage, bulky items, appliances, mattresses, tires, TVs, monitors and electronics easy to identify.
- Use the right facility. Hazardous waste, compost, large tire loads and landfill loads may not follow the same route.
- Secure your load. Cover loose material and avoid the unsecured-load fee.
- Wipe electronic data. Back up and remove personal data from computers, phones and tablets before recycling.
- Call before questionable loads. Use 507-328-7070 for unclear items, large loads or fee questions.
Map to Rochester Recycling Center Plus
The map below points to Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus at 305 Energy Parkway NE in Rochester, Minnesota. Use the map for directions, then verify current hours, fees, holiday closings, and accepted items on the official county page before visiting.
Independent guide note: Recycling-Centre.org is not the official Olmsted County, Rochester, Recycling Center Plus, Hazardous Waste Facility, Compost Site, Kalmar Landfill or Waste-to-Energy Facility website. Hours, holiday closings, accepted items, fees and facility rules can change. Always verify with the official Olmsted County page before visiting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rochester Recycling Center
Where is Rochester Recycling Center Plus?
Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus is at 305 Energy Parkway NE, Rochester, MN 55906.
What are Rochester Recycling Center Plus hours?
The official facility hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, except for holiday closings or posted county notices.
What phone number should I call?
Use 507-328-7070 for general questions. Olmsted County lists 507-328-7020 for Saturday Recycling Center Plus questions and 507-328-7078 for Saturday Hazardous Waste Facility questions.
What items are accepted free at Recycling Center Plus?
Free pre-sorted items include aluminum cans, glass bottles and jars, clean corrugated cardboard, white office paper, newspapers, magazines, flyers, pamphlets, colored paper, flattened paperboard boxes, #1/#2/#5 plastic bottles and containers, tin/steel food cans and clean scrap metals.
Does Recycling Center Plus accept garbage or bulky items?
Yes, some self-haul garbage and bulky household items are commonly accepted for a fee. Check the official fee PDF before bringing couches, exercise equipment, furniture, mattresses, appliances or large mixed loads.
Does Rochester Recycling Center Plus accept TVs and electronics?
Yes, TVs and electronics are listed as fee-based categories. Use the official fee PDF for current prices and wipe personal data before drop-off.
Can I bring tires to Rochester Recycling Center Plus?
Automotive and light truck tires are listed at eight or fewer per day. Large loads of nine or more tires should go to Kalmar Landfill for a fee, and Olmsted County says to call 507-328-7070 in advance.
Where should I take hazardous waste?
Use the separate Olmsted County Hazardous Waste Facility guidance. Do not mix household hazardous waste into regular recycling or fee-item loads.
Where should I take yard waste or compost material?
Use the Olmsted County Compost Site guidance for yard-waste and compost-related trips. The official hub lists the Compost Site as open seven days a week during daylight hours.
Is Styrofoam accepted in the recycling area?
No. Olmsted County’s disposal options page says Styrofoam is not accepted in the recycling area at the facility and is garbage.
Is this page for Rochester New York?
No. This page is for Rochester, Minnesota and Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus. Rochester NY uses different facilities and rules.
Is Recycling-Centre.org the official Rochester recycling website?
No. Recycling-Centre.org is an independent informational guide. Always verify current hours, fees, accepted items and holiday closings on the official Olmsted County website before visiting.
Final Local Summary
For Rochester, Minnesota, use Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus at 305 Energy Parkway NE. The regular schedule is Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with holiday closings and posted notices possible.
Sort free recyclables before arrival, separate fee items, secure your load, use the Hazardous Waste Facility for hazardous materials, use the Compost Site for yard waste, and call before large tire loads or unusual items.