Why Public Space Recycling in St. Paul?

Residents of Saint Paul carry out the ritual of recycling at home with great dedication. Saint Paul has one of the highest recycling rates in the country and its one of the few large cities in the nation with a growing recycling rate.

In 2005, Saint Paul residents voiced an overwhelming desire to see the city establish recycling in public spaces during the Saint Paul Environmental Roundtable . This community-based process was hosted by Eureka Recycling, , Saint Paul’s longstanding nonprofit zero waste partner, and helped set Saint Paul's policy direction on six environmental issues: zero waste, food systems, cleaner energy, green building, open space, and water stewardship.

During that process residents told us that they wanted the opportunity to recycle when they gather together as a community in public spaces. The community felt it was important to have public space recycling, especially in the city’s treasured public spaces, because it highlights Saint Paul’s deeply-held tradition of recycling and commitment to the environment.