We get questions — lots of questions — about recycling and disposal at the Environmental Department. We kept a list of the most asked questions from the past couple of months. We hope that this information will help others in their fall cleaning activities.

Books cannot go into recycling. This is due to the glue in the binding. The Environmental office will take hard-covered books or workbooks. Soft-covered books could go to the thrift stores. Please call them for details.

Mattresses and box springs can come to the Environmental office as long as they are clean, dry, and free of bedbugs. There is a cost of $16 for mattresses and box springs are free. Businesses please call ahead if you have these items.

Televisions, whether they are flat screen or CRT (tube style) can go to either the landfill or to the Household Hazardous Waste facility. If you have quite a few, we recommend going to the landfill with them. There is a cost per item. Businesses please go to the landfill with these items.

Computers and computer equipment including other electronics can come to the Household Hazardous Waste facility, the landfill, or Goodwill. There are charges for some items through the county services. Businesses should take computers or other electronic equipment to the landfill.

Cardboard containers are available throughout the county for residential use only. They are currently available in Marshall, Minneota, Cottonwood, and Tracy. Please flatten your boxes.

Shredded paper can be composted, thrown away, or brought to the Household Hazardous Waste facility for free. It must be in a clear or white plastic bag that is tied shut.

Styrofoam can be brought to the Household Hazardous Waste facility or thrown away. We only accept rigid Styrofoam. A good example of rigid Styrofoam is Styrofoam coolers. We accept rigid Styrofoam from businesses and residents. Businesses please call ahead.

Microwave ovens (and other appliances) need to go to the landfill. There is a fee for their disposal. They are not accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

Toasters, coffee makers, shop vacs, vacuum cleaners, blenders, mixers, and box fans are all trash. They are not recyclable.

Residential paint and stain can come to the Household Hazardous Waste for free. Any empty paint cans or where the paint has dried out can be thrown away. We do not accept empty containers. Any spray paint cans that are empty are trash only. Any spray paint cans that have paint in them should come to the HHW facility for free. These items are not recyclable.

Fluorescent bulbs should come to the HHW facility. LED bulbs and incandescent bulbs should be thrown away if they are not working. LED and incandescent bulbs are not recyclable.

Furniture that is broken should be taken to the landfill for disposal. If you have furniture that is gently used, call the Restore or the area thrift stores to see if they will take the items.

Businesses that have waste such as paint, chemicals, or similar items must call the HHW facility BEFORE bringing in any items. Extra steps may need to be taken per the rules that the state has surrounding business waste.

Please remember that we do not accept anything other than paper, cardboard, or empty, clean food containers in recycling. Items such as empty oil containers, RV fluid containers, hoses, garden flowerpots, and similar plastic items are not recyclable. These are all items that should be thrown away. Items such as leaves, pumpkins, tree branches, or other yard waste should not go into recycling or trash but please take it to your local yard waste site or compost it.

Residents can call us at (507) 532-8210 or go to the Environmental page on the county webpage for more information at www.lyonco.org