Minneapolis and Saint Paul Bulk Item Pickup Rules
Published 2026-11-02. Both Minneapolis and Saint Paul run their own municipal bulk item pickup programs, and they work differently enough that it's easy to assume one works like the other. Here's what each one actually offers, side by side.
Side-by-side comparison
| Minneapolis | Saint Paul | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Drop off yourself at the South Transfer Station | Picked up at the curb with regular garbage service |
| Free allotment | 6 vouchers/household/year, 2 items each (12 items/year) | 1 pickup/unit/month (up to 12 items/year) |
| Cost beyond that | Not covered by this guide's sources | $30 per extra item in the same month |
| Scheduling | None needed -- just bring a voucher and the item | Request online or at 651-266-6101, 2+ business days before your garbage day |
| Mattresses | Not specifically covered | Unlimited, via Second Chance Recycling |
| Appliances/electronics | Counts against the 2-items-per-voucher limit | Capped at 3 pickups/unit/year |
Sources: Minneapolis large items and Saint Paul bulky item collection. See the full Minneapolis and Saint Paul directory pages for these facts alongside each city's other local disposal rules.
Frequently asked questions
Which city's bulk pickup program is better?
It depends what you need. Both cities add up to about 12 free items a year, just delivered differently: Minneapolis gives 6 vouchers a year covering 2 items each (drop off yourself at the South Transfer Station), while Saint Paul picks up 1 item per unit per month at the curb as part of regular garbage service. If you'd rather not haul anything yourself, Saint Paul's curbside model is more convenient; if you want more flexibility on timing, Minneapolis's vouchers don't expire month to month.
Does either program pick up mattresses?
Saint Paul does, with no limit -- its bulky item program routes mattresses to Second Chance Recycling separately from the monthly cap. Minneapolis's large-item vouchers don't call out mattresses specifically; a mattress removal company or the transfer station directly are the more reliable options there.
Do either program accept construction debris or tires?
Saint Paul explicitly excludes construction debris and tires from its bulky item program. Minneapolis's own large-items page doesn't list either as covered by the voucher program -- check with the city's Solid Waste & Recycling office (612-673-2917) for anything not covered here.
What about other Twin Cities suburbs?
These two programs are specific to the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Other Twin Cities suburbs run their own programs, or none at all -- check your own city's website, or contact a listed junk removal company for a quote regardless of whether a municipal program exists where you live.
When a junk removal company makes more sense
Both programs have real limits -- a fixed number of items per year, specific exclusions, and (for Minneapolis) a trip to the transfer station yourself. For a bigger cleanout, items both programs exclude, or simply not wanting to haul anything yourself, a listed Minneapolis or Saint Paul junk removal company can take it all in one visit. See appliance removal, mattress removal, and electronics removal for what Minnesota's own disposal rules say about those specific items.