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Cover image of 2025 Going Green Guide, showing a male bringing out a bag of recyclables.

Take a Survey: 2025 Going Green Guide

We'd like your feedback on the Going Green Guide, an annual mailer with information on reducing waste, reuse and repair, recycling, and more. After you read through your guide, take a short survey to let us know what’s useful and how we can make it better.

Take the Going Green Guide Survey
Image of North Environmental Center in Forest Lake.

North Environmental Center Open House

You're invited to an open house for the North Environmental Center in Forest Lake. Stop by to check out the facility and enjoy family-friendly activities, building tours, refreshments, giveaways, and more!   

Saturday, May 17 | 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. 
North Environmental Center, Forest Lake

Learn more
Image of garden tools and supplies with words Garden Tool Swap.

Donations Needed! Garden Tool Swap

If you have garden and yard tools you no longer use, consider sharing them with others at the Garden Tool Swap on Wednesday, May 7. 

Donations can be dropped off at a Washington County Environmental Center in Forest Lake or Woodbury during open hours. Donations will be accepted through May 3.

List of Accepted Items
Image of woman dumping food scraps into a backyard home composter.

Order a Rain Barrel or Compost Bin

Washington County is partnering with the Recycling Association of Minnesota to sell discounted compost bins and rain barrels to Washington County residents. After discount, compost bins are $60 and rain barrels are $90. 

Order Online
Image of woman dumping bag of leaves into pile.

Summer Hours at Yard Waste Site

Summer hours are now in effect for the North Yard Waste Site. The yard waste site is now co-located with the North Environmental Center at 6065 Headwaters Parkway in Forest Lake. 

Leaves, grass clippings, brush, tree waste, and other plant materials are accepted from Washington County households. No business waste.

Summer Hours: April - November

  • Monday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. (or dusk)
  • Wednesday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Saturday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Sunday: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Learn more
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Environmental Events

Hazardous Waste 101
Registration required. 
April 10 | 6:00-7:30 p.m. 
Hardwood Creek Library, Forest Lake

Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy: 
Food Waste Trivia 
April 10 | 6:00 p.m. 
Urban Growler Brewing Company, St. Paul

Community Craft Supply Swap
April 12 | 10:00 a.m. - Noon
Park Grove Library, Cottage Grove

Shredding Event
April 16 | 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
South Environmental Center, Woodbury

Reuse/Repair Class 
Registration required. 
April 17 | 6:30-7:30 p.m.
East Ridge High School, Woodbury

Fix-It Drop-In Hours 
April 23 | 10:00 a.m.-Noon
North Environmental Center, Forest Lake

Mahtomedi Collection Day
April 26 | 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Mahtomedi Middle School, Mahtomedi

Fix-It Clinic
May 3 | 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 
Stillwater Public Library, Stillwater

Garden Tool Swap
May 7 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. 
North Environmental Center, Forest Lake
South Environmental Center, Woodbury

Shredding Event
May 15 | 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
North Environmental Center, Forest Lake

North Environmental Center Open House 
May 17 | 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. 
North Environmental Center, Forest Lake

Stillwater Collection Day
May 31 | 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Lily Lake Ice Arena, Stillwater

Please forward this e-mail to interested individuals and encourage them to sign up! Subscribe to the Environmental eUpdate at washingtoncountymn.gov.

More information: WashCoRecycles.com | 651-275-7475
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14949 62nd Street North, Stillwater, MN 55082
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