Special Waste

Help us recharge our planet. Bring your used batteries for recycling today.Special Wastes are those materials which have either been banned from disposal at landfills/incinerators, or other outlets are available. The Transfer Station in Crookston is the central collection point for Polk County. For many items, the ODC Recycling Center in Fosston provides a central collection point for Eastern Polk County.

Appliances/White Goods

Appliances have been banned from landfills, and salvage yards are not able to crush and recycle appliances that have not been processed. Appliances often contain one or more of the following materials:

  • Freon
  • Mercury
  • PCB

Collection sites are located at the Transfer Station in Crookston and the Recycling Center in Fosston. Appliances are collected at no charge from residents (not businesses) of Polk County during regular business hours.

Tires

Tires have been banned from Minnesota landfills due to operational issues related to difficulty achieving necessary compaction to prevent subsequent settling. Failure to achieve compaction results in settling, that may create a hazard to landfill staff and may create problems when landfill closure occurs. Waste tire piles are also preferred breeding habitat for disease-carrying mosquitoes. At no charge, Polk County will accept up to 8 passenger vehicle tires per month, 24 passenger vehicle tires total per year, from Polk County residents (not businesses) at the Transfer Station in Crookston and the Recycling Center in Fosston during regular business hours. PLEASE NOTE *There are charges on tires that are larger than normal passenger vehicle tires (all those larger than standard pickup/car tires).  

Yard Waste/Compost

Yard waste (grass clippings, leaves, prunings, etc.) have been banned from landfills in Minnesota. Yard waste is best managed on-site through back yard composting or the use of a mulching lawnmower. The Polk County Transfer Station in Crookston accepts yard waste from residents. Outside the Crookston area, check with local municipalities for local programs.

Used Oil/Oil Filters

Used oil and oil filters are banned from landfills in Minnesota. Used oil is collected at the Transfer Station in Crookston for residents and businesses of Polk County at no charge. Used oil filters are accepted from Polk County residents (not businesses) at both the Transfer Station in Crookston and the Recycling Center in Fosston at no charge. Polk County businesses may bring used oil filters to either site for a charge. The filters are crushed to separate the oil and metal. The metal is recycled and the oil is either burned to produce heat in approved incinerators or refined for further use.

Fluorescent Lights

Fluorescent light bulbs are banned from disposal in Minnesota landfills due to the mercury powder contained within the glass tubes. Fluorescent light ballasts often contain PCB’s, a known carcinogen. Both fluorescent light bulbs and ballasts are collected for no charge for Polk County residents (not businesses) at both the Transfer Station in Crookston and the Recycling Center in Fosston.

Auto/Marine Batteries

Auto and marine batteries are collected at no charge from residents and businesses of Polk County at both the Transfer Station in Crookston and the Recycling Center in Fosston. Auto and marine batteries contain significant quantities of lead and acidic fluids.

Scrap Metal

Scrap metal are accepted from Polk County residents and businesses at the Transfer Station in Crookston and the Incinerator in Fosston (across from the Recycling Center). Scrap metal is consolidated and shipped to market for recycling. Scrap metal includes:

  • Aluminum
  • Brass
  • Copper
  • Iron
  • Steel
  • Tin