Recycling, Donation Opportunities in Maple Grove

As the end of 2011 quickly approaches, Maple Grove has several opportunities for residents to recycle unwanted holiday items or donate goods to a nonprofit for a possible tax deduction.

As part of the Recycle Your Holidays program sponsored by the Recycling Association of Minnesota, there are several drop off locations for old or non-working holiday lights open through the end of January. The program, according to the Recycling Association of Minnesota, employs more than 200 individuals with developmental disabilities who dismantle the bulbs from the light strands for recycling.

Drop off locations to recycle lights in Maple Grove include , and . The Hennepin County Recycling Center and Transfer Station located on the border of Maple Grove at 8100 Jefferson Highway, Brooklyn Park will also take lights for recycling.

If you’d like to donate unwanted goods to a local nonprofit organization for a possible tax deduction, the store in Maple Grove accepts donations 9 a.m. to  8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.  Details on what can and cannot be donated can be found on the Goodwill website here. 

Local nonprofit , which provides food and clothing help to those temporarily in need, accepts donations of clean, gently used, household items, in season clothes, shoes, outerwear, accessories; personal and health-care items; and financial and equipment donations. C.R.O.S.S. is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and is closed 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  

Maple Grove thrift store also accepts donations, according to their website, and gives in-store discounts coupons in return.

If you’ve had enough of your live Christmas tree, many waste haulers will offer pick-up service in early January. Contact your waste hauler for details or drop off the tree at a yard waste drop-off site, although Hennepin County says it prefers residents coordinate live tree disposal with their waste hauler.

To find a new home for old electronics, look for donation opportunities for working electronic items or recycle non-working electronics at a Hennepin County drop-off facility, such as the Hennepin County Recycling Center and Transfer Station located near the Maple Grove border at 8100 Jefferson Highway in Brooklyn Park. Hennepin County also provides a full list of area organizations accepting electronic donations.