 May 2025
Carver County participates in the Redemption Program by Rachio, Inc. to provide smart irrigation controllers to residents at reduced costs. Reducing water used for irrigation preserves our groundwater which is where all Carver County residents get drinking water and reduces stormwater runoff caused by overwatering.
Smart controllers
Smart controllers link to local weather conditions to provide exact water needs for lawns and gardens saving water and money. The Rachio 3 smart sprinkler controller automatically adjusts watering schedules based on weather forecasts, soil types, plant needs, and sun exposure—eliminating unnecessary watering and creating a more efficient irrigation systems.
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Additional discounts
- Purchase during the bonus weeks of May 19-26 or July 21-28 and receive an additional $20 discount automatically.
- Residents from the following cities can combine with their city's rebate program for additional savings.
At swap events, people gather to exchange items they no longer need for something they want. These can include clothes, books, toys, home goods, plants, and more. Instead of buying new, participants bring gently used items to “trade” with others, offering a simple way to refresh your belongings without spending money. In many swaps, you don’t even have to bring anything to participate, you’re welcome to just take what you need.
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Swap events can be casual get-togethers among friends or more organized efforts by schools, community centers, libraries, or local groups. While swapping has been around for generations, it’s becoming popular again as more people look for affordable, practical ways to reduce waste and find value in what others no longer need.
Love swaps
- Swaps help keep usable items out of the trash and give them a second life.
- Swaps save money. You can find great stuff without having to buy new.
- Swaps bring people together. There’s often a friendly, welcoming atmosphere as neighbors connect and share.
- Swaps are fun. Like a treasure hunt that helps you declutter at the same time.
Locally, swap events are catching on. Chanhassen Parks and Recreation recently hosted another successful garden swap in April, where residents exchanged gardening tools and supplies.
Upcoming swaps
More swap events
Check out Reuse Minnesota’s Calendar for events happening all over the Twin Cities Metro Area.
Did you know that tossing plastic bags in your curbside recycling bin causes harm in the recycling process? It might seem like a good idea to recycle every bit of plastic, but plastic bags and film don’t belong in your bin at home. These materials get tangled in sorting machines at recycling facilities (photo), causing costly damage, slowdowns, and even complete shutdowns. They also contaminate other recyclables.
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What to do with plastic bags
Take them to one of Carver County’s drop-off locations where they are accepted. Film and bag recycling locations can also be found at many grocery stores and retail chains. You can find these drop-off points easily using BagandFilmRecycling.org. Enter your zip code to locate a collection bin nearby. These bins accept plastic bags, bread bags, newspaper sleeves, bubble wrap, and other stretchy plastic film as long as it’s clean and dry.
Stretch test
If the plastic stretches before tearing, it can be recycled as plastic film. If it tears right away, it's garbage.
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Tips for plastic bag use
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Reduce: Choose reusable bags when shopping to avoid plastic waste.
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Reuse: Repurpose bags at home for trash liners, packing material, or pet cleanup.
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Recycle right: Never place plastic bags in your curbside bin. Always use proper drop-off bins for film recycling.
Recycle plastic bags the right way and help to keep recycling systems running smoothly and reducing waste in our environment. Small actions truly add up!
Have more questions about what can and cannot be recycled curbside? Try Carver County’s recycling app Betterbin. Free for residents of Carver and Scott County.
Water management staff began conducting fish surveys in lakes in 2019. The purpose of these surveys is to inventory lakes that are not normally surveyed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, get baseline data, and see how fish communities change over time in response to water quality projects or fish removal projects.
Since 2019, staff have conducted 24 surveys on 19 lakes and streams.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conducts fish surveys in many of the most visited lakes in the County such as Waconia, Minnewashta, and Bavaria. These surveys can be found at LakeFinder | Minnesota DNR.
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 Carver County Environmental Center’s hours of operation change to better serve the community starting June 4. Since opening in 2002, the Carver County Environmental Center has provided residents and small businesses with a convenient location to safely dispose of household hazardous waste, electronics, appliances, and more. The Environmental Center has served over 600,000 visitors and has been instrumental in recycling and responsibly managing millions of pounds of materials, playing a vital role in protecting both Carver County residents and the environment.
Participation at the Environmental Center and the volume of materials managed have continued to increase each year, a trend driven by the County’s rapid growth and changes in the types of materials being disposed of. As this trend is expected to continue, the County has recognized the need to explore future operational strategies to ensure the safe, efficient flow of both people and materials at the facility.
The Environmental Center will implement new operating hours starting June 4 to address growing demand while maintaining high-quality service. These changes are designed to reduce wait times, improve traffic flow, minimize staff downtime, and provide consistent weekday opening hours, while also adding two extra hours of service each week.
New Operating Hours
- Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Every spring, International Compost Awareness Week reminds us that what we throw away could be used to grow something new. Composting is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce waste and return nutrients to the earth.
The difference with composting
- When food scraps and other organics are composted, they transform into nutrient-rich compost that supports healthy soil, cleaner water, and thriving gardens.
- When food waste ends up in a landfill, it breaks down without oxygen and produces methane — a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Composting helps prevent this while also reducing landfill waste.
Organics recycling drop off program
In Carver County, we try to make composting easy through our organics recycling drop-off program. Residents can collect food scraps and other approved compostables at home and bring them to a nearby drop-off site. These materials are then locally processed into compost that supports local green projects and closes the loop on waste.
New drop off site
We’re excited to announce new drop-off sites in partnership with the City of Carver and the Cologne location of Bountiful Basket Food Shelf. Whether you’re just starting or already composting at home, using a drop-off site ensures your organic waste is put to good use. All sites accept food waste and certified compostable products. To find the drop-off site nearest you and make sure you’re only bringing approved materials, visit our residential organics webpage.
Help eliminate mosquito breeding habitat
Waste tires can become habitat for several types of mosquitoes including species that can transmit diseases like La Crosse encephalitis or West Nile virus. To reduce risk, the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District runs a waste tire recycling program to pick up and remove tires from district residents. Tires that are not being collected should be stored indoors or covered to prevent collecting water.
Changes for 2025 - Dakota, Scott, and Carver Counties
Residents of Dakota, Scott, and Carver Counties are eligible for our FREE tire drop-off days at designated district locations. Residents can drop-off tires on specific dates and the Metro Mosquito Control District will cover recycling costs.
MMCD will NOT be picking up tires at homes for residents of Dakota, Scott, and Carver Counties in 2025.
Drop off day and details
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
9:00am - 2:00pm
Scott County Fair Grounds
7151 W 190th St
Jordan, MN 55352
- Must show proof of residence when dropping off tires. Examples include driver's license or utility bill.
- Limit 20 tires per household.
- Tires must be off the rims and standard car or light truck sized.
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