Plan Your Rochester Recycling Drop-Off: Free Items, Fees & Specialty Waste Routes
Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus at 305 Energy Parkway NE is Rochester, Minnesota’s main county self-haul site for pre-sorted recyclables and many household-quantity fee items. Electronics, appliances, mattresses, tires, bulky waste and garbage can all follow different charges.
The most important local rule is to use the correct facility: Recycling Center Plus for normal recycling and many paid items, the Hazardous Waste Facility for household chemicals, the nearby Compost Site for accepted yard waste, and Kalmar Landfill for certain larger disposal loads.
Quick Answer: What Should You Know Before Visiting Rochester Recycling Center Plus?
Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus is at 305 Energy Parkway NE, Rochester, MN 55906. The County currently lists public facility hours as Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The main phone is 507-328-7070, with 507-328-7020 listed for Saturdays.
Basic accepted recyclables are free when properly pre-sorted. Garbage, bulky items, mattresses, tires, appliances, TVs, monitors, computer equipment and some other materials have fees. Household hazardous waste belongs at the separate Hazardous Waste Facility, even though it shares the same Energy Parkway address.
On this page
- Correct Rochester facility
- Hours and holiday checks
- Which Olmsted facility to use
- Free pre-sorted recyclables
- Current fee examples
- Electronics and TVs
- Appliances and bulky items
- Tires and limits
- Hazardous waste
- Yard waste and compost
- Secure-load rule
- Before-you-go steps
- Map and directions
- Frequently asked questions
Make Sure You Mean Rochester, Minnesota
This guide is specifically for Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus in Rochester, Minnesota. Searches for “Rochester recycling center” can mix results from Rochester, New York and other cities with the same name.
Facility
Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus
Address
305 Energy Parkway NE
Rochester, MN 55906
County department
Olmsted County Environmental Resources
Monroe County ecopark in Rochester, New York has different hours, accepted materials and residency rules. Use Olmsted County sources for the Minnesota facility.
Rochester Recycling Center Plus Hours
Olmsted County currently lists Recycling Center Plus as open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Department office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but those office hours should not be confused with public drop-off hours.
| Day | Recycling Center Plus | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed | Department office may be open, but the recycling facility is not. |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM–4:30 PM | Normal public drop-off day. |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM–4:30 PM | Normal public drop-off day. |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM–4:30 PM | Normal public drop-off day. |
| Friday | 8:00 AM–4:30 PM | Normal public drop-off day. |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM–4:30 PM | County lists 507-328-7020 as the Saturday facility phone. |
| Sunday | Closed | Use another operating day. |
Olmsted County maintains a separate 2026 holiday-closing schedule. Check the official facility page before making a holiday-week trip.
Which Olmsted County Waste Facility Should You Use?
Several Rochester-area waste services are located on or near Energy Parkway, but they are not interchangeable.
Recycling Center Plus
Use for free pre-sorted recyclables plus household-quantity fee items such as garbage, electronics, appliances, mattresses, furniture and limited tires.
Hazardous Waste Facility
Use for household chemicals, paint, pesticides, solvents, rechargeable batteries, mercury products, sharps and other accepted hazardous waste.
Compost Site
Use for grass clippings, hay, leaves, non-woody garden waste, straw and accepted wood chips.
Kalmar Landfill
Use when County guidance specifically routes a large disposal load there, including approved full tire loads.
Waste-to-Energy route
Commercial and transfer activity follows separate County solid-waste rules and should not be confused with household self-haul recycling.
Waste Wizard
If the item does not clearly fit one category, use Olmsted County’s Waste Wizard before loading it.
Items Accepted Free at Rochester Recycling Center Plus
The County’s free recycling list requires items to be pre-sorted. Do not arrive with everything mixed together in one bag and expect staff to separate it for you.
| Free material | Examples | Preparation rule |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum cans | Beverage and food cans | Empty and keep separate. |
| Clear glass | Clear bottles and jars | No window glass, ceramics or dishware. |
| Colored glass | Green, brown and other colored bottles or jars | Keep container glass separate from non-container glass. |
| Corrugated cardboard | Shipping boxes | Clean; remove packaging materials. |
| White office paper | Clean white paper | Keep clean and dry. |
| Mixed paper | Newspaper, magazines, flyers, pamphlets and colored paper | Keep dry and separated as instructed. |
| Paperboard | Cereal and cracker boxes | Flatten; freezer boxes are excluded. |
| Plastic #1, #2 and #5 | Accepted bottles and containers | Check resin number and empty containers. |
| Tin / steel food cans | Food cans | Empty before drop-off. |
| Clean scrap metal | Iron, aluminum, copper, brass and stainless steel | Keep free of garbage and non-metal contamination. |
Sort free recycling at home. It makes the drop-off faster and prevents a free material from being treated as mixed waste.
Rochester Recycling Center Plus Fees: Useful Current Examples
Olmsted County’s currently linked Solid Waste Management Fee and Service Charge Schedule includes Recycling Center Plus rates effective July 1, 2025. These are the fee figures currently published through the facility page, but the County can update its schedule, so verify before a paid trip.
| Item / service | Published charge | Important rule |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum solid-waste charge | $5 | Applies to qualifying self-haul solid waste. |
| Up to 30 gallons of waste | $5 per increment | Schedule applies in increments up to 150 gallons. |
| Larger quantities | $30 per cubic yard | Cubic-yard minimum applies. |
| Automotive / light-truck tire | $5 each | Maximum eight per day at Recycling Center Plus. |
| Mattress | $30 each | Maximum eight per day. |
| Non-freon household appliance | $10 each | Household-size appliance. |
| Freon household appliance | $15 each | Examples can include refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners. |
| Unsecured / uncovered load | $20 per visit | Secure the load before driving. |
| Special County staff handling | $50 per item | Applies when special handling is required. |
The County facility page currently links a fee schedule with Recycling Center Plus rates effective July 1, 2025. Treat the official linked schedule as the live source and recheck it before publication or a paid visit rather than assuming every rate is permanently fixed.
Electronics, Computer and TV Recycling Fees
Electronics are not part of the free basic recycling list, with limited exceptions such as cell phones. The current County fee schedule separates ordinary electronics, flat-screen displays and CRT/projection equipment.
| Electronic item | Published household / other fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cell phone | Free | Remove personal accounts and data before recycling. |
| Computer or laptop | $5 each | Back up and erase personal data first. |
| Printer, stereo, DVD/Blu-ray player, VCR, copier or game console | $5 each | Large office machines are charged differently. |
| Small computer peripherals | $5 per small box | County example box is nominally 18 × 18 × 12 inches. |
| Flat-screen TV / monitor up to 32 inches | $10 | Measure screen category before driving. |
| Flat-screen 33–60 inches | $20 | Larger flat screens cost more. |
| Flat-screen over 60 inches | $30 | Large handling category. |
| CRT / projection display up to 32 inches | $20 | CRT and projection units follow a higher fee scale. |
| CRT / projection display 33–42 inches | $40 | Size category matters. |
| CRT / projection display over 42 inches | $60 | Call first if especially large or difficult to unload. |
Recycling a laptop or hard drive is not the same as purchasing a certified data-destruction service. Back up anything you need, sign out of accounts and erase data before surrendering electronics.
Appliances, Furniture, Mattresses and Bulky Items
Recycling Center Plus accepts many household bulky items for a fee, but the amount depends on the category rather than one universal bulky-waste price.
Appliances
The current schedule lists $10 for household-size non-freon appliances and $15 for household-size freon appliances. Commercial-size appliance charges differ.
Mattresses
The current fee is $30 each, with a maximum of eight mattresses per day at Recycling Center Plus.
Furniture
Bulky furniture charges vary by item. Published examples range from $15 to $50 depending on size and construction.
Examples on the current bulky-item schedule include exercise equipment, grills, lawn mowers, chairs, recliners, couches, sectionals, futons, water softeners, riding mowers and medical beds.
Lawn mowers and similar equipment should be empty of fluids before disposal. Do not hide fuel, oil, batteries or other hazardous components inside a bulky-waste load.
Tire Recycling: Eight or Fewer vs Large Loads
Recycling Center Plus accepts automotive and light-truck tires at $5 each, with a maximum of eight tires per day. Semi and tractor tires are listed as not accepted at Recycling Center Plus.
For nine or more tires, Olmsted County directs users to contact the County about Kalmar Landfill. The County’s current facility page states that large tire loads can be brought there for $435 per ton with advance coordination.
Call 507-328-7070 before loading nine or more tires. Do not assume the household drop-off lane can handle a commercial-size tire load.
Household Hazardous Waste Uses the Separate Hazardous Waste Facility
Olmsted County’s Hazardous Waste Facility is also at 305 Energy Parkway NE and currently follows the same Tuesday-through-Saturday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM public schedule. It is a separate service from normal Recycling Center Plus disposal.
Residents can bring common household hazardous waste such as aerosols, household cleaners, mercury products, pesticides, paints, solvents, stains, varnishes, used antifreeze and selected batteries.
Typical HHW
- Paint
- Pesticides
- Solvents
- Household cleaners
- Aerosols
- Mercury products
- Antifreeze
Household sharps
Needles, syringes, lancets and test strips generated by households are accepted free when properly packaged in an approved puncture-resistant container and labeled “SHARPS.”
Keep household chemicals in their original or clearly labeled containers where possible. Do not pour unknown liquids together or hide hazardous products inside garbage bags.
Rochester Yard Waste and Compost Site
The Olmsted County Compost Site is across the street from the Hazardous Waste Facility at 305 Energy Parkway NE and is open seven days a week during daylight hours.
The County lists a $5 suggested donation for yard-waste drop-off.
| Accepted yard waste | Not accepted |
|---|---|
| Grass clippings | Branches and woody debris |
| Hay | Brush |
| Leaves | Food waste |
| Non-woody garden waste | Garbage or hazardous waste |
| Potted plants removed from plastic containers | Liquids or oils |
| Straw | Noxious / invasive weeds |
| Wood chips 6 inches or less | Wood chips larger than 6 inches |
Self-serve finished compost
The County also offers self-serve finished compost during daylight hours. Current suggested donations include 50 cents per 5-gallon bucket, $5 per carload and $20 per pickup or trailer load. Bring your own shovel and container.
Secure Your Truck or Trailer Before Going to Recycling Center Plus
Olmsted County’s current fee schedule includes a $20 charge for an unsecured or uncovered load. That makes load preparation both a safety issue and a cost issue.
Use straps or tie-downs
Secure furniture, scrap metal, appliances, branches and other bulky items so they cannot move or fall onto the roadway.
Cover loose material
Use a suitable tarp for light debris, cardboard or other material that could blow out of the truck bed or trailer.
A heavy-looking item can still shift during braking, turning or highway travel. Recheck the load before leaving home.
How to Prepare for a Rochester Recycling Center Plus Visit
- Correct facility selected
- Hours and holiday checked
- Free recyclables pre-sorted
- Fee items separated
- Mattress and tire count checked
- Electronics data erased
- Equipment fluids removed
- Load secured or covered
Common Rochester Drop-Off Mistakes
| Mistake | Why it causes a problem | Better action |
|---|---|---|
| Mixing free recyclables with garbage | Free recycling must be pre-sorted. | Separate recycling before leaving home. |
| Bringing paint to the ordinary disposal lane | Paint belongs in the Hazardous Waste Facility. | Use the HHW route at Energy Parkway. |
| Taking brush to the Compost Site | Brush and woody debris are on the Compost Site’s not-accepted list. | Use the Waste Wizard or call for the proper brush route. |
| Arriving with nine or more tires | Recycling Center Plus caps automotive/light-truck tires at eight per day. | Call about Kalmar Landfill before transporting a large tire load. |
| Uncovered trailer load | County schedule includes a $20 unsecured/uncovered-load charge. | Tie down and tarp loose material. |
| Assuming electronics are free | Most computers, TVs and monitors have item-based charges. | Check the current fee table before loading. |
Rochester Recycling Center Plus Map and Directions
The verified address is 305 Energy Parkway NE, Rochester, MN 55906. Several County waste services operate at or near this site, so follow facility signs after arrival.
Call 507-328-7070 if your item is unusual, commercial, oversized, hazardous, heavily damaged or not clearly listed on the County’s current pages.
Official Olmsted County Sources
Open official facility page
Open fee schedule
Open HHW page
Open Compost Site page
Rochester, Minnesota facility identity, Energy Parkway address, current Tuesday-through-Saturday hours, free pre-sorted recycling list, fee categories, electronics pricing, mattress and tire limits, hazardous-waste routing and compost-site guidance were checked against current Olmsted County sources during this refresh. Fees and holiday closures can change, so recheck the County pages before a paid or holiday-week visit.
Related Recycling Guides
Open mattress recycling guide
Open HHW recycling guide
Open general recycling guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Rochester Recycling Center Plus
Where is Rochester Recycling Center Plus?
Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus is at 305 Energy Parkway NE, Rochester, MN 55906.
What are the Rochester Recycling Center Plus hours?
The County currently lists Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The facility is closed Sunday and Monday, subject to holiday closings.
What is the phone number for Rochester Recycling Center Plus?
The main number is 507-328-7070. The County lists 507-328-7020 as the Saturday Recycling Center Plus phone number.
Is recycling free at Rochester Recycling Center Plus?
Basic accepted recyclables such as aluminum cans, sorted glass containers, clean cardboard, accepted paper, plastic #1, #2 and #5 containers, tin cans and clean scrap metal are free when pre-sorted.
Does Rochester Recycling Center Plus accept TVs?
Yes. TVs are accepted for a fee. Current charges vary by display type and size, with separate rates for flat-screen and CRT or projection units.
How much does computer recycling cost in Rochester?
The current County fee schedule lists computers and laptops at $5 each for household, business and other generators, while cell phones are free. Commercial e-waste generators follow different pricing rules.
How much does mattress disposal cost?
The current Recycling Center Plus fee schedule lists mattresses at $30 each, with a maximum of eight per day.
How much does a tire cost to recycle?
The current Recycling Center Plus fee is $5 each for automotive and light-truck tires, with a maximum of eight per day. Large tire loads follow a different Kalmar Landfill route.
Does Rochester Recycling Center accept appliances?
Yes, many household appliances are accepted for a fee. The current fee schedule lists $10 for household-size non-freon appliances and $15 for household-size freon appliances.
Where do I take paint and household chemicals?
Use the Olmsted County Hazardous Waste Facility at 305 Energy Parkway NE. It currently operates Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, except for holiday closures.
Where do I take yard waste in Rochester?
Use the Olmsted County Compost Site across the street from the Hazardous Waste Facility. It is open seven days a week during daylight hours and accepts specified non-woody yard waste.
Is Recycling-Centre.org the official Olmsted County website?
No. Recycling-Centre.org is an independent informational guide. Current Rochester Recycling Center Plus hours, fees, closures and accepted materials should be verified through Olmsted County.
Final Before-You-Go Checklist
- Confirm Rochester, Minnesota
- Check Tuesday–Saturday hours
- Check holiday closure
- Pre-sort free recyclables
- Check current fee PDF
- Count mattresses and tires
- Route chemicals to HHW
- Route yard waste to Compost Site
- Erase data from electronics
- Secure or cover the vehicle load