Residents of Minnetonka will need to find alternative sites for their plastic bag and film recycling starting August 10, as the NexTrex program at several city locations pauses due to staffing issues. Since its launch in December of 2022, the program has seen significant success in recycling efforts, collecting over 7,000 pounds of material - equivalent to the heft of a newborn blue whale.
While facilities like City Hall, Williston Fitness Center, and The Marsh will no longer accept these plastics during the temporary suspension, the city has already benefited with three new benches, fabricated from recycled materials, now sitting at The Marsh's entrance. This pause does not mark an end to local recycling efforts, however, residents are encouraged to use alternative sites such as Target, Lunds and Byerlys, and Cub Foods locations in Minnetonka or county recycling centers.
According to the City of Minnetonka, Target locations at 13201 Ridgedale Dr. and 4848 County Road 101, Lunds and Byerly's spots at 14400 Excelsior Blvd. and 13081 Ridgedale Drive, and Cub Foods at 4801 County Road 101 are all available alternatives for the area's recyclers.
Moreover, for Hennepin County residents looking to responsibly dispose of their plastics, options include the South Hennepin Recycling and Problem Waste Drop-off Center on 1400 West 96th St. in Bloomington, MN, and the Hennepin County Recycling Center and Transfer Station, at 8100 Jefferson Highway in Brooklyn Park, MN 55445. The city assures that, while the program will take a brief hiatus at city-run establishments it remains committed to sustainability and encourages citizens to continue their recycling habits at the aforementioned venues.
