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Recycling, Waste Reduction and Sustainability
The City of Lakeville continues to promote waste reduction and sustainability throughout the community by offering various residential programs. The City also follows Dakota County’s Solid Waste Management Ordinance in an effort to make progress towards the state’s goal to recycle 75% of waste by 2030. In addition, the City prioritizes water conservation indoors and across the landscape. Funding for these initiatives comes from sources including (but not limited to) Clean Water Funds administered by the Board of Water and Soil Resources, the Dakota County Community Waste Abatement Grant, the Vermillion River Watershed and the Metropolitan Council’s Water Efficiency Grant.
Recycling in Parks
The City of Lakeville offers residents a variety of facilities in which to recreate, including over 67 parks. To promote sustainability and waste reduction within these spaces, all trash cans are paired with recycling cans.
Organics Recycling
Diverting waste that would otherwise be sent to landfills significantly reduces methane (a potent greenhouse gas) produced from the landfilling process. Not only does composting have this benefit, it also provides a nutrient rich dirt that can be used in various applications across the landscape. The City recycles organics at City Hall, the Heritage Center, Fire Station 1 and Ames Arena in an effort to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. Compostable plates and utensils are also offered for large public events hosted at the Lakeville fire stations and the Heritage Center.
General Recycling Questions
Do you have questions regarding which household items can be recycled? The City works in partnership with Dakota Valley Recycling to help residents get all their recycling questions answered. Visit Dakota Valley Recycling’s Recycling Guide webpage or reach them at 952-895-4559.
Waste Haulers
Several licensed waste haulers provide recycling, trash and compost services for single-family homes within Lakeville's municipal boundary. Haulers provide bins to new customers.
Food-Scrap Drop-Off
Did you know that composting organic waste can reduce your household trash by 1/3 its volume? Through a partnership with Dakota County, the City offers residents an Organics Drop Site at the Water Treatment Facility located at 18400 Ipava Avenue. Sign up for the free service online, and bring your food scraps in the provided compostable bags.
Pumpkin Composting
In 2023 area residents turned over 48,000 pounds of pumpkins into a rich soil material instead of sending them to the landfill. Each year, the City partners with Dakota Valley Recycling to offer free pumpkin recycling. The weekend following Halloween, residents are welcome to bring used pumpkins to the Lakeville Police Department.
Holiday Light Recycling
In winter 2023-2024, area residents recycled over 4,000 pounds of holiday lights using the City of Lakeville’s lights recycling drop-off locations. Every year, the City runs this free collection service from mid-November to the end of January to recycle lights that would otherwise go in the trash. Drop boxes are located at City Hall and all four Lakeville Liquors locations.
Dakota County Multifamily Recycling Program
Dakota Valley Recycling and Dakota County invite multifamily properties in Lakeville to apply for free recycling bins, labels, tote bags, educational materials and more through the Dakota County Multifamily Recycling Program. The program is open to apartments, condominiums, townhomes and independent senior living facilities on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, managers and residents can contact Dakota County at multifamilyrecycling@co.dakota.mn.us or 952-891-7557.
The City of Lakeville has placed a focus on groundwater conservation to: ensure adequate drinking water supplies, delay costs associated with water infrastructure (water towers, expanded treatment facilities, water distribution network, etc.) and provide resilience for the changing climate. Below are keystone projects tied to water conservation.
City Facilities
The City promotes efficient irrigation practices at municipal facilities through stormwater reuse, implementing drought-tolerant turf varieties, conducting irrigation system assessments and equipping irrigation systems with water-saving technologies. In 2022, the City will funded an irrigation assessment at the Police Station, as well as irrigation system improvements at City Hall and the Water Treatment Facility.
In November 2017, the Lakeville City Council set the City on a path to incorporate environmental sustainability into its community values and strategic priorities, by participating in the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Minnesota GreenStep Cities program. Through this program, the Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Committee and Public Works Department are working to address sustainability through reduced energy consumption, efficient use and conservation of natural resources, improvements to transportation infrastructure, sustainable purchasing and efficient City growth.