Address:
116 Peavey Circle
Chaska, MN 55318

Directions:
South on Hwy 41 from Hwy 5:

Go through one signal light and one roundabout. Take the Peavey Road exit from the roundabout and the first right on Peavey Circle. The Environmental Center will be on your left.

North on Hwy 41 from 212:

After Hazeltine Blvd take the Peavey Road exit from the roundabout. Take the first right on Peavey Circle. The Environmental Center will be on your left.

• If you are bringing Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), such as paint, chemicals, cleaning products, used oil, etc., please place these products into boxes, tubs, or other rigid containers.

• Do not place your items into large trash bags. All materials must be easily visible, so that workers can quickly identify what they are.

• Please keep in mind that those materials (HHW) will be the first to be unloaded when you arrive at the Environmental Center (EC), so make sure they are readily accessible - not buried under or behind other materials (appliances, electronics, etc) in your vehicle.

• Please segregate your materials into the following categories, and place each category into separate boxes or bins, to prevent breakage and/or contamination: Fluorescent Lamps, Household Hazardous Waste, Batteries, etc (for example, do not place CFL bulbs and batteries into the same box or bucket).

• Auto glass
• Brush & yard waste
• Carpet
• Ceramics
• Clothing & fabric 
• Construction & demolition debris
• Dishware
• Drinking glasses
• Furniture
• Garden hoses
• Glass bake ware/cookware [Pyrex]
• Lithium batteries of over 500 watts 
• Medical waste [pharmaceuticals]
• Mirror glass
• Plastic tarps
• Porcelain toilets and sinks
• Shredded paper
• Styrofoam
• Trash/garbage
• Window glass

As of January 1, 2019, brush and yard waste is no longer accepted at the Environmental Center.

• Appliances - $10.00
  • Air conditioner, dehumidifier, dishwasher, dryer, freezer, microwave, refrigerator, stove, washer, water heater, water softener
• Appliances (commercial) - $2.00/cubic ft
• Appliances (gas/ammonia)
  • Ammonia Refrigerators <4ft tall - $150.00
  • Ammonia Refrigerators >4ft tall - $300.00
  • Ammonia Air Conditioners - $800.00
• Batteries (business) - $0.38/pound
• Bicycles - $3.00
• Electronics (business) - $0.50/pound
• Electronics (residential TVs & monitors)
  • TVs and monitors - $10.00
  • Large TVs - $20.00 (30" or larger screen, measured diagonally, and all console sets)
• Fluorescent Bulbs (business) (over 50 please call ahead)
  •  4 ft and under - $0.40
  • Greater than 4 ft - $0.75
  • Compact (CFLs) - $0.60
  • Irregular shape - $1.00
  • HID - $2.30
  • High Pressure HG - $12.00
  • Broken - $2.14/pound
  • Ballasts - $0.99/pound
• Lawnmowers/small engine devices - $5.00 (drain all fluids)
• Mattress/Box Spring - $35.00/each (must be clean, dry, and free of bugs)
• Tires
  • Car, truck, SUV - $5.00
  • Semi - $15.00
  • Farm (large) rear - $50.00
• Treadmills - $10.00

• Batteries (automotive & all household)
• Cartridges (inkjet & printer)
• Child Car Seats & Booster Seats
• Cooking Oil (vegetable, peanut, canola, olive, soybean, corn, & sunflower)
• Household Hazardous Waste
  • latex paint, oil-based paint, paint remover, stripper, thinner, stain, varnish, aerosol cans, mercury thermometers & thermostats, household cleaners, bug killer, fertilizer, pesticides, weed killer, propane tanks, gasoline
• Organics
  • all food products including meat & bones, coffee grounds, non-recyclable paper such as pizza boxes, paper towels, paper plates, and paper napkins
• General Recyclables (please breakdown & flatten cardboard)
  • Fibers (brown grocery bags, beer & soda cases, cake & snack boxes, cardboard [non-waxed], catalogs, cereal boxes, magazines, office/school paper [all colors], junk mail, newspaper & inserts, telephone books and other soft cover books, pizza delivery boxes, broth boxes, drink boxes, juice cartons, milk cartons)
  • Plastics  - #1, #2 and #5 food and beverage containers. (bottles with a screw top, water bottles, yogurt tubs, butter tubs)
  • Metal & Glass (aluminum cans, empty aerosol cans [non-toxic & no caps], metal household items [cooking pots & pans], steel food cans, tin & other household metals, beer bottles, glass containers that contained food or beverage product, all colored glass [brown, green and clear]
• Plastic bags and film - Grocery/retail bags, pallet wrap & stretch film, salt bags, bubble wrap & packaging air pillows, non-paper bubble mailers & other plastic mailers, newspaper sleeves.

  • Not Accepted - Wet material, pallet strapping, material containing nylon (sometimes looks like a grid in the plastic-common in pet food bags & freight/shipping air sacs), sticker backing, frozen food bags pre-washed salad mix bags

• Residential Electronics (excluding TVs & monitors)
• Residential Fluorescent Bulbs (maximum of 25 bulbs)
• Scrap Metal (all non metal material must be removed)
• Used Motor Oil, Filters & Antifreeze (5 gal containers or smaller)

• If you have any large bulky items (such as appliances, mattresses, large televisions, scrap metal, etc), please remember to bring someone with you for help with unloading those heavy items.

• When you arrive at the EC, please follow the signs and proceed to the check in area under the canopy. Stop at the stop signs, where attendants will verify residency, collect payments and provide further instruction. Please remain in your vehicle until given further instructions.

• Please have your driver’s license and payment ready as you approach the attendants. Remember, the Environmental Center accepts cash, checks and/or credit cards (make your checks out to “Carver County”).

Looking for usable products such as paint, stain, household cleaners or car care products? Carver County offers a product reuse room at the Environmental Center where residents can look through hundreds of household products, all of which are FREE of charge.

Household products that are dropped off at the Environmental Center are screened by staff and placed on shelves in the reuse room. This service increases environmental awareness of the public, reduces the amount of waste needing disposal, and provides free products to residents.

The most commonly found items in the product reuse rooms include interior and exterior latex paint, spray paint, stain and varnish, cleaning supplies, automotive products, and a variety of household items.

Residents visiting the product reuse room at the Environmental Center must be 18 years of age or older or be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. A release form must be completed prior to taking materials from the product reuse room. The product reuse room is open to the public during regular hours of operation.

PLEASE NOTE – Carver County is very specific when selecting products to be placed in the product reuse room. However, because the County cannot guarantee the contents of the products, all materials in the product reuse room are available for use at your own risk.

Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) Program

The Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) program helps businesses who produce small amounts—less than 220 lbs or about 22 gallons per month—of hazardous wastes such as batteries, solvents, paints, used oil and fuels meet State and County disposal requirements.

Did you know? More than 90 percent of businesses qualify as a VSQG!

If you’d like to participate in the VSQG program, review and complete theVSQG Program application and submit it to Carver County. You must also notify the MPCA of your waste activity (Notification of Regulated Waste Activity e-Service Instructions). Once a completed application is received, Carver County will call to schedule an appointment to drop off your waste at the Carver County Environmental Center.

Please note – Carver County accepts hazardous waste from VSQGs by appointment only. Businesses who show up to the Environmental Center without an appointment will be turned away.

For more information on the Carver County VSQG Program, please contact Matt Nelson at mtnelson@carvercountymn.gov or (952) 361-1803.

BioBag Certified Compostable Bags

Countertop Kitchen Organics Pails

$5.00

Short Term Kit - $8.00
Long Term Kit - $30.00

Battery Safety and Disposal Information

Why Proper Battery Disposal Matters
Some batteries contain toxic metals such as cadmium, lead, or mercury, which can pose a threat to human health and the environment when improperly disposed of.

Lithium Batteries – A Growing Concern
Of special concern are lithium-based batteries, now common in most modern electronic devices due to their high energy density and long life. While these batteries offer many advantages, it is crucial to follow safety measures to prevent potential hazards associated with their use.

A primary concern is thermal runaway—a reaction in which a lithium battery overheats and, in extreme cases, can catch fire or explode. As technology advances, ongoing research and development continue to improve lithium battery safety, allowing for widespread and efficient use.

Lithium battery explosion demonstration video

Disposal at the Carver County Environmental Center

All types of household batteries can be brought to the Carver County Environmental Center in Chaska for proper disposal.

• Large lithium batteries (500 watt-hours or more) are not accepted at the Environmental Center. Please call ahead for additional disposal options.

• If you are unsure of the battery type, bring it to the Environmental Center. Staff will determine the chemistry and handle it safely.

Environmental Center staff sort every battery by hand to ensure they are separated by chemistry and packaged in accordance with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) shipping regulations.

More information about the sorting process can be found here.

Battery Types and Guidance

Alkaline Batteries

• Do not contain hazardous materials and pose minimal fire risk.

• Once used, they may be placed in the trash, though the Environmental Center also accepts them for recycling.

Lithium-ion, Lithium Primary, Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd), Button Cells, and Other Rechargeable Batteries

• Contain toxic metals and can pose fire or environmental hazards if improperly disposed of.

• Drop off at the Carver County Environmental Center.

• If the battery cannot be removed from a device, bring the entire device for proper handling.

Safety Tips for Home Use

• Use only designated chargers and avoid overcharging.

• Store lithium batteries in cool, dry places away from direct sunlight or heat sources.

• Do not puncture, crush, or damage batteries—this can cause them to short-circuit or catch fire.

• Tape the terminals of loose lithium or rechargeable batteries before storing or transporting them to reduce the risk of short-circuiting.

• Prepare your needles and sharps
• Store in an approved, puncture - resistant, plastic container with a screw -on lid. Only approved sharps containers specifically designed to hold sharps will be accepted.
• Sharps containers are available at clinics, stores, pharmacies, and at the Environmental Center.
• Put used needles into the container point -first. Note: Do not put unused medicines contained in sharps (epi -pens) in your container.
• Only fill your container 3/4 full with needles and sharps.
• Keep the lid closed and secured on the container to prevent spills.
• Remember to bring identification Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, is required.
• Declare sharps/needles Upon arriving and after showing staff your identification, please let staff know that you have a container of sharps to drop off
• Dispose of needles and sharps at the Environmental Center Drive up to the checkpoint and staff will bring you to the needles and sharps drop-off area. Your sharps must be in a proper container, and you will be responsible for placing your container into the drop-off bin.
  
  Medical Sharps and Needles Disposal Brochure

Drop off at the Environmental Center

Mattresses and box springs are bulky items that take up significant space in landfills. By recycling mattresses, various materials such as metal springs, wood, foam, and fabric can be recovered. They can then be used in the manufacturing of new products, reducing the need for raw materials and conserving natural resources.

The Carver County Environmental Center has been helping residents recycle mattresses since 2015. Those efforts have kept tens of thousands of pounds of materials out of landfills. Mattresses, box springs and metal bed frames can be dropped off at the Environmental Center during regular hours of operation.

For current pricing, and Environmental Center hours, please reference the most recent brochure.

Curbside Pickup

In 2024 Carver County Environmental services partnered with it's long time mattress recycling vendor, Second Chance Recycling, to introduce a new curbside mattress collection pilot program. Residents can visit the Second Chance Recycling webpage to pay for their items and select an upcoming pick-up day.

Residents that live in multi-family settings may need to check with their property manager for any restrictions before scheduling a pickup.

Per pick-up collection Fee - $10.00/dollars
Twin, Full, Queen or King Mattress - $35.00
Box Spring/Foundation - $35.00

Add-on items. These items must be collected in addition to a mattress or box-spring. 

Crib Mattress - $15.00
All Foam Mattress Topper - $10.00
Metal Bed Frame - $0.00

Visit the Second Chance Recycling webpage to schedule a pickup.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and alarms typically have a lifespan of seven to ten years. When it’s time to replace them, you have several disposal options:

• Return to the manufacturer for proper processing and disposal.

• Dispose in your household trash after removing the batteries.

• Bring them to the Environmental Center for safe handling.

For more detailed information, visit the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Alarms webpage.

Vapes & E-Cigarettes: Environmental and Disposal Information

Vape devices and electronic cigarettes are considered hazardous waste and require special handling and disposal. These products contain lithium-ion batteries, nicotine, heavy metals, toxic chemicals, plastics, and electronic components. When improperly discarded, they pose serious risks to public safety, workers, wildlife, and the environment.

Why Proper Disposal Matters

Nicotine vape devices are not just litter or trash — they are a combination of hazardous waste and electronic waste (e-waste). Improper disposal can result in:

• Fires in trash or recycling carts, collection trucks, and waste or recycling facilities.
• Pollution of soil, lakes, rivers, and groundwater.
• Poisoning of wildlife and pets.
• Exposure to toxic substances for waste workers and the public.

Proper disposal ensures these materials are handled safely and in compliance with state and federal regulations.

Fire and Safety Risks

Vape devices contain lithium-ion batteries, which can ignite or explode if crushed, punctured, damaged, or exposed to heat. These conditions commonly occur during trash collection and processing.

Discarded vape batteries are an increasing cause of fires in:

• Household garbage or recycling carts
• Collection trucks
• Transfer stations and recycling facilities

For this reason, vape devices must not be placed in household trash or curbside recycling.

Environmental Risks

When nicotine vape products are thrown away or littered:

• Nicotine and chemical residues can leach into soil and water, contaminating drinking water sources and natural areas.
• Wildlife and pets may ingest cartridges or pods, leading to poisoning or death.
• Plastics and microplastics persist in the environment, breaking down slowly over time.
• Heavy metals and electronic components contribute to Minnesota’s growing electronic waste problem, which requires specialized management.

Disposable vapes are especially problematic because they are often discarded intact, increasing both fire risk and environmental contamination.

Hazardous Waste Considerations

• Nicotine is classified as acute hazardous waste, meaning even small amounts can be dangerous.
• Vape devices also contain batteries and electronics, which require special handling under waste and fire safety regulations.
• Because of these combined hazards, vape devices, cartridges, pods, and e-liquids cannot be disposed of in household trash or recycling.

Residents are not expected to manage these hazards themselves — this is why Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) programs exist.

Why Vape Devices Cannot Be Recycled

Vape devices cannot be recycled through standard electronics or curbside recycling programs because:

• They are not designed to be safely taken apart.
• Residual nicotine and liquids contaminate recycling equipment.
• Lithium-ion batteries pose a fire risk during processing.
• Manufacturer take-back programs are limited or unavailable.

Until safer, standardized systems exist, HHW programs remain the appropriate disposal option.

Proper Disposal

Do not place vape devices or e-liquids in:

• Household trash
• Curbside recycling
• Public recycling bins

Proper disposal option:

Residents should bring vape devices, electronic cigarettes, cartridges, pods, batteries, and e-liquids to the Carver County Environmental Center or a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection event for safe and compliant disposal. Acceptance may vary by program or event. Residents are encouraged to contact the Environmental Center prior to their visit for current disposal guidelines.

Health Information

For information about the health effects of vaping and nicotine, visit:

Carver County Public Health – Tobacco Prevention and Education